Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Wednesday 07 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
22.9° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)


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 09) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Frenchmans Reef in the next 12 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jan 10) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jan 11) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Fri 9th Jan)8ft (2.4m) 8s
Best Surf11PM (Fri 9th Jan)8ft (2.4m) 8s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sat 10th Jan)8ft (2.5m) 8s

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

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 34°C on Sat afternoon, min 18°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Wed night, fresh winds from the ENE by Fri afternoon).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Heavy rain (total 22mm), heaviest during Sun night. Warm (max 30°C on Sat night, min 18°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sat night, calm by Tue morning).

Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wed
14
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
2
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.1
NE
0.7
NE
1.5
ENE
1.8
NE
1.4
NE
3
ENE
2.5
NE
1.8
NE
2.3
NE
1.6
ENE
2.3
S
2
S
1.9
SSE
1.6
E
1.1
S
0.9
ENE
1.1
ENE
2
ENE
1.5
ENE
1.3
ENE
2
S
Period(s) (?)566777887888789996887
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)6931138295206860952403524360588463323308211146180295256197388
Wind
(km/h)
15
NNE
15
NE
30
ENE
20
NNE
15
NE
40
ENE
15
N
20
NNW
25
NNE
35
SSW
25
S
30
S
10
SSW
20
ESE
20
ESE
10
E
5
ESE
15
E
10
ESE
15
SSE
15
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
cross-
on
ononglassononcross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
12:46AM
1.12
12:42PM
1.34
1:33AM
1.13
1:27PM
1.20
2:23AM
1.13
2:14PM
1.07
3:16AM
1.13
3:06PM
0.95
4:13AM
1.14
4:06PM
0.86
5:08AM
1.17
5:16PM
0.80
5:59AM
1.21
6:24PM
0.79
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:33AM
0.36
7:21PM
0.18
7:28AM
0.42
8:01PM
0.24
8:26AM
0.47
8:42PM
0.30
9:31AM
0.51
9:23PM
0.35
10:42AM
0.51
10:06PM
0.39
11:52AM
0.48
10:52PM
0.40
12:52PM
0.42
Thursday
08
Friday
09
Saturday
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wed
14
Sunrise-5:52--5:52--5:54--5:54--5:56--5:56--5:58-
Sunset--8:06--8:06--8:06--8:06--8:05--8:05--8:05
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
light rain
Rain (mm)
------------17121-1532
Temp. °C232727242728253334302121202122222324232222
Feels °C (?)222524212524213032271617181921222624242222
  • 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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