Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Tuesday 16 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
22.8° 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 (Dec 19) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 1.7m 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Dec 23) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Dec 20) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Fri 19th Dec)4.5ft (1.3m) 7s
Best Surf 2AM (Sat 20th Dec)5ft (1.5m) 7s
Most Powerful 8AM (Tue 23rd Dec)5.5ft (1.7m) 9s

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 26°C on Thu afternoon, min 16°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 33°C on Sun afternoon, min 21°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tue
23
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.4
S
1.1
S
1
S
0.8
S
0.6
S
1.6
ENE
1.8
NE
1
ENE
0.9
ENE
1.5
ENE
0.9
ENE
1
ENE
0.8
ENE
0.7
ENE
1.4
NE
0.9
ENE
0.8
ENE
0.6
NE
1.7
SSE
1.4
S
1
S
Period(s) (?)12121111116777778775688698
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)566322253146791603271018421181117564284717451245327132
Wind
(km/h)
20
ENE
20
ENE
30
ENE
15
NNE
10
ENE
30
NE
5
N
15
SSE
10
ENE
5
WNW
5
NNE
25
E
10
SW
5
NE
10
NW
10
N
5
SSE
25
SE
15
SE
10
ENE
30
E
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
on
onoffcross-
on
oncross-
off
glasscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
onon
High Tide
/ height (m)
7:20AM
1.36
7:41PM
0.94
7:57AM
1.41
8:26PM
0.94
8:33AM
1.45
9:08PM
0.95
9:08AM
1.48
9:49PM
0.96
9:45AM
1.50
10:31PM
0.98
10:22AM
1.50
11:12PM
1.00
11:01AM
1.49
Low Tide
/ height (m)
12:28AM
0.38
2:01PM
0.38
1:07AM
0.38
2:43PM
0.32
1:46AM
0.37
3:22PM
0.26
2:26AM
0.37
3:59PM
0.21
3:06AM
0.37
4:37PM
0.17
3:47AM
0.38
5:16PM
0.15
4:31AM
0.40
5:55PM
0.15
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tue
23
Sunrise-5:39--5:39--5:39--5:39--5:39--5:41--5:41-
Sunset--7:58--7:59--8:00--8:00--8:00--8:00--8:01
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
clear
Rain (mm)
---------1-----3-----
Temp. °C192121192426252626232627253133242924212122
Feels °C (?)161918152324222525212727263233273021202221
  • 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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