Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Saturday 24 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
22.4° C
(Which is 1.2°C colder than average 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 Sunday (Jan 25) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.2m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 1.3m and 6s is also forecast. 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 2.1m 13s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jan 27) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Monday (Jan 26) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sun 25th Jan)4.5ft (1.3m) 9s
Best Surf 2PM (Mon 26th Jan)7ft (2.2m) 12s
Most Powerful 8AM (Tue 27th Jan)7ft (2.1m) 13s

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 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 20°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, fresh winds from the SSW by Sun night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 19°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds.

Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
Thursday
29
Friday
30
Sat
31
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
0
4
3
!
!
!
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.3
SSE
1.5
SSE
1.4
SSE
1.7
SSE
1.7
SSE
2.2
SSE
2.1
SSE
2.1
SSE
2
SSE
1.6
SE
1.3
SE
0.9
SSE
0.8
SSE
0.7
SE
0.7
SE
0.7
SE
0.6
SSE
0.6
SSE
1
ENE
0.9
ENE
1.6
ENE
Period(s) (?)9111114131212131211111010101010109656
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)2545314521038880136912471420106262739915712296949661546344160
Wind
(km/h)
0
NNE
10
NE
20
ENE
10
SW
25
SSW
30
S
15
S
10
SSE
15
E
5
NNE
15
ENE
30
ENE
15
SE
10
ESE
10
SE
5
ENE
10
ESE
30
ENE
15
NE
20
ENE
30
ENE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
cross-
off
crosscrosscross-
on
oncross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
oncross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:28AM
1.20
1:34PM
1.15
2:21AM
1.22
2:34PM
1.02
3:24AM
1.25
3:49PM
0.92
4:35AM
1.29
5:19PM
0.87
5:47AM
1.36
6:42PM
0.88
6:52AM
1.44
7:46PM
0.94
7:49AM
1.52
Low Tide
/ height (m)
7:38AM
0.37
7:56PM
0.27
8:46AM
0.39
8:47PM
0.33
10:05AM
0.39
9:45PM
0.36
11:30AM
0.34
10:50PM
0.37
12:47PM
0.26
11:59PM
0.35
1:49PM
0.16
1:04AM
0.30
2:40PM
0.08
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
Wednesday
28
Thursday
29
Friday
30
Sat
31
Sunrise-6:07--6:09--6:09--6:11--6:11--6:13--6:13-
Sunset--8:00--8:00--8:00--8:00--7:59--7:58--7:58
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
---------------------
Temp. °C232527242223212222212324232424232324222324
Feels °C (?)222626242021192221212323212625252424202222
  • 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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