Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 9 pm Thursday 30 Apr 2026 AEST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Frenchmans Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Frenchmans Reef sea temperature is
22.7° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Frenchmans Reef this week:

The surf forecast for Frenchmans Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (May 01) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Frenchmans Reef in the next 16 days are 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (May 08) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (May 05) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Fri 1st May)3ft (0.9m) 8s
Best Surf 1AM (Mon 4th May)8ft (2.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 1AM (Fri 8th May)13ft (4.0m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Frenchmans Reef over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 23°C on Sun morning, min 18°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the ENE by Sat afternoon).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
1
Saturday
2
Sunday
3
Monday
4
Tuesday
5
Wednesday
6
Thu
7
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
!
!
!
!
3
0
2
2
1
1
2
1
Swell
Height Map
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.components.forecast-table.maps.snow_map">Snow Map</span>
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
ENE
8
1
ENE
8
1.1
ENE
8
1.2
ENE
8
1.6
ENE
9
2
ENE
9
2.1
ENE
10
2
ENE
10
2.2
ENE
10
2.5
ENE
10
2.2
E
11
2.3
E
11
2.3
E
12
1.9
E
11
1.8
E
11
1.8
E
11
1.7
E
10
1.6
E
10
1.4
E
10
1.3
E
10
1.2
E
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
133
127
163
197
442
655
800
742
878
1300
1102
1270
1444
878
764
727
615
530
392
320
262
Wind (km/h)
5
NNW
0
SSE
15
E
10
NNE
10
NNE
30
ENE
20
NE
20
NE
30
ENE
20
NNE
15
NNW
10
N
10
WSW
10
WSW
15
SE
10
S
5
SSE
15
E
15
WNW
20
W
10
S
cross-off
glassy
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
off
off
cross-on
cross
cross-on
on
cross-off
off
cross
High Tide
7:59AM1.20m
8:14PM1.51m
8:38AM1.14m
8:49PM1.50m
9:16AM1.08m
9:24PM1.48m
9:55AM1.02m
9:59PM1.43m
10:37AM0.96m
10:35PM1.38m
11:21AM0.92m
11:13PM1.33m
12:11PM0.89m
Low Tide
2:02AM0.24m
1:47PM0.27m
2:45AM0.23m
2:21PM0.30m
3:26AM0.24m
2:53PM0.34m
4:07AM0.26m
3:26PM0.39m
4:49AM0.28m
4:00PM0.45m
5:32AM0.31m
4:37PM0.51m
6:17AM0.34m
5:23PM0.57m
clear
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
6:26
6:26
6:28
6:28
6:28
6:30
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:14
5:13
5:12
5:10
5:09
5:08
5:08
1
1
Temp °C
20
20
21
20
22
21
20
23
22
20
23
24
20
21
19
19
20
20
19
20
21
19
20
19
19
18
17
18
19
18
17
20
23
19
18
16
17
19
18
17
15
18
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
ENE
8
1
ENE
8
1.1
ENE
8
1.2
ENE
8
1.6
ENE
9
0.2
S
8
0.1
S
14
2
ENE
10
0.1
S
13
2.3
ENE
10
2.2
E
11
2.3
E
11
2.3
E
12
1.9
E
11
1.8
E
11
1.8
E
11
1.7
E
10
1.6
E
10
1.4
E
10
1.3
E
10
1.2
E
10
Energy kJ
133
127
163
197
442
5
4
742
3
1045
1102
1270
1444
878
764
727
615
530
392
320
262
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
S
10
0.3
S
8
0.3
S
8
0.3
S
8
0.2
S
7
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
14
0.1
S
17
0.7
S
5
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
16
0.6
S
10
0.7
S
8
0.5
S
6
0.4
S
6
0.1
S
13
Energy kJ
17
12
11
10
4
4
4
6
28
5
5
70
57
20
12
3
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
6
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
19
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
17
0.2
S
16
0.2
S
15
0.2
S
13
0.1
S
18
Energy kJ
1
5
5
7
6
5
6
21
17
14
6
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
ENE
9
2.1
ENE
10
2.2
ENE
10
2.5
ENE
10
0.6
SW
3
0.9
SSW
5
0.5
S
5
0.5
SE
4
0.4
NE
3
0.5
SSW
6
1.4
S
5
Energy kJ
655
800
878
1300
6
51
13
6
4
22
104
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
3
4
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
Distance (km)
0
0
248
9
9
316
52
52
316
58
0
2
0
0
14
13
13
52
2
0
14
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
3
3
3
4
5
3
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
5
5
3
2
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
6
7
6
9
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Frenchmans Reef Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Frenchmans Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Frenchmans Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Frenchmans Reef surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Frenchmans Reef) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).

Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Frenchmans Reef may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.

Frenchmans Reef is 8 km (5 miles) from the city of Catherine Hill Bay. If you plan a holiday in Newcastle, look for hotels and other accommodation in Catherine Hill Bay. Catherine Hill Bay has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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