Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 pm Friday 12 Dec 2025 AEDT
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
23.4° C
(Which is 1.2°C warmer than normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Frenchmans Reef this week:

The surf forecast for Frenchmans Reef over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Dec 13) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Frenchmans Reef in the next 12 days are 1.8m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Dec 16) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Monday (Dec 15) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sat 13th Dec)5ft (1.5m) 11s
Best Surf11AM (Tue 16th Dec)7ft (2.1m) 10s
Most Powerful11PM (Tue 16th Dec)6ft (1.8m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Frenchmans Reef over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Sun morning, min 18°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, strong winds from the SSW by Sun night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Fri
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
3
2
0
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
!
0
1
2
0
2
0
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.1
E
1.5
E
0.9
E
1.3
E
1.3
E
1.2
E
1.7
ENE
0.9
ENE
1.8
S
1.8
S
1.7
SSE
2.1
S
2
S
1.7
S
1.5
S
1.4
S
1.4
S
1.3
S
1.2
S
1.1
S
1.1
SSE
Period(s) (?)121111777778961091212111111111111
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)33355618516115715627191367506235932656833596476492410338289265
Wind
(km/h)
15
E
5
NE
5
ENE
25
ENE
10
NW
5
NW
25
NE
40
S
15
SSE
20
SE
20
SE
15
ESE
20
SE
15
SE
10
SE
15
ESE
5
ENE
10
E
20
ENE
10
NNE
15
ENE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
onglassglasscross-
on
cross-
off
glasscross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
ononononcrosscross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:00PM
1.19
4:16AM
1.13
4:00PM
1.09
5:10AM
1.19
5:02PM
1.02
5:58AM
1.25
6:01PM
0.97
6:41AM
1.31
6:54PM
0.95
7:20AM
1.36
7:41PM
0.94
7:57AM
1.41
8:26PM
0.94
8:33AM
1.45
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:40PM
0.33
10:09AM
0.55
10:25PM
0.36
11:19AM
0.53
11:08PM
0.38
12:22PM
0.49
11:48PM
0.38
1:15PM
0.44
12:28AM
0.38
2:01PM
0.38
1:07AM
0.38
2:43PM
0.32
1:46AM
0.37
Fri
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Sunrise--5:37--5:37--5:37--5:37--5:39--5:39--5:39
Sunset7:54--7:55--7:57--7:57--7:58--7:58--7:59--
thunderstorm
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
122--6--1-------------
Temp. °C201921222227272419191918191919191919201922
Feels °C (?)191822212128272417161514161617161718181621
  • 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 12 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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