Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Thursday 26 Mar 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
24.6° C
(Which is 1.3°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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Mar 27) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s. 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 7.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Mar 28) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Friday (Mar 27) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Fri 27th Mar)5.5ft (1.7m) 11s
Best Surf 8PM (Fri 27th Mar)8ft (2.5m) 8s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sat 28th Mar)23ft (7.0m) 13s

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 9mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu night, min 14°C on Fri afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Fri afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Sat night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Thu
02
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
0
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
3
0
2
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.9
E
1.5
ESE
1.2
ESE
6.5
SSW
6
S
5
S
4.5
S
3.5
SSE
3
S
2.1
SSE
1.6
SSE
1.4
SSE
1.1
SSE
0.9
SSE
0.8
SE
0.8
S
0.6
S
0.7
S
1.3
ENE
0.5
S
0.3
SSE
Period(s) (?)111111141313121111109988814131561115
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)91049432215503132287874538031071981821397295173100842641172101196144
Wind
(km/h)
25
WNW
30
WNW
40
WSW
35
WSW
25
SW
25
S
20
SW
20
SSW
15
SSE
5
SSW
5
S
10
E
5
NNE
5
ENE
15
ENE
10
N
10
NNE
25
ENE
10
NNE
10
NE
25
ENE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
on
glassglassonglassglassoncrosscrosscross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
3:58AM
1.29
5:24PM
0.90
5:17AM
1.31
6:26PM
1.00
6:22AM
1.36
7:13PM
1.11
7:16AM
1.39
7:53PM
1.22
8:02AM
1.40
8:32PM
1.31
8:44AM
1.38
9:08PM
1.38
9:24AM
1.33
Low Tide
/ height (m)
9:13PM
0.50
11:09AM
0.29
10:36PM
0.48
12:12PM
0.24
11:51PM
0.41
1:01PM
0.20
12:53AM
0.33
1:43PM
0.16
1:46AM
0.25
2:20PM
0.15
2:34AM
0.20
2:56PM
0.14
3:18AM
0.17
3:29PM
0.16
Friday
27
Saturday
28
Sunday
29
Monday
30
Tuesday
31
Wednesday
01
Thu
02
Sunrise-7:00--7:01--7:01--7:03--7:03--7:03--7:05-
Sunset--6:55--6:54--6:52--6:52--6:51--6:49--6:47
thunderstorm
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
711------------------
Temp. °C211516171719201920201921202021212123222324
Feels °C (?)208891113151517182020182120192122212423
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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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