Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 pm Tuesday 13 Jan 2026 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
23.9° C
(Which is 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 Friday (Jan 16) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Frenchmans Reef in the next 12 days are 4.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 17) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jan 17) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Fri 16th Jan)5ft (1.5m) 7s
Best Surf 8AM (Sat 17th Jan)8ft (2.5m) 11s
Most Powerful 2PM (Sat 17th Jan)15ft (4.5m) 11s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 23°C on Fri afternoon, min 18°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the N by Sun morning).

Tue
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
!
0
!
!
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.2
E
1.2
E
0.8
ENE
1.1
E
1.2
ENE
1
ENE
1.8
ENE
1.8
ENE
1.3
ENE
1.3
ENE
1.8
E
4
SSE
4
SSE
4
SSE
3.5
SE
3
SE
2.5
SE
2.1
E
4
E
3.5
E
3.5
E
Period(s) (?)8788586777811111011101010101010
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1631596715387107222282149171460337840373124253617161275886314523992642
Wind
(km/h)
20
ENE
15
ENE
15
E
30
E
15
ENE
10
NE
35
NE
10
N
25
SSW
35
S
30
S
45
SSW
50
SSW
20
WSW
10
NE
25
ENE
35
E
25
ENE
40
ENE
25
ENE
30
ENE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
ononononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
on
ononcross-
on
oncross-
on
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
5:16PM
0.80
5:59AM
1.21
6:24PM
0.79
6:44AM
1.26
7:19PM
0.82
7:25AM
1.32
8:05PM
0.86
8:04AM
1.38
8:46PM
0.92
8:42AM
1.44
9:25PM
0.97
9:19AM
1.48
10:03PM
1.03
9:57AM
1.50
Low Tide
/ height (m)
10:52PM
0.40
12:52PM
0.42
11:40PM
0.40
1:39PM
0.35
12:29AM
0.39
2:18PM
0.27
1:16AM
0.36
2:54PM
0.19
2:02AM
0.33
3:30PM
0.13
2:46AM
0.31
4:05PM
0.09
3:30AM
0.29
Tue
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Sunrise--5:58--5:58--6:00--6:00--6:01--6:01--6:03
Sunset8:05--8:05--8:05--8:05--8:04--8:04--8:04--
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
light rain
heavy rain
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
rain showers
light rain
Rain (mm)
----5233-------1185321
Temp. °C232223232123242223232121201921222122222223
Feels °C (?)232122211924232022191815131322221821181821
  • 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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