Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Thursday 12 Feb 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
23.5° 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 Tuesday (Feb 17) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. 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 2.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Feb 13) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Feb 19) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Tue 17th Feb)2.5ft (0.8m) 6s
Best Surf 5AM (Wed 18th Feb)2.5ft (0.8m) 10s
Most Powerful 5AM (Fri 13th Feb)8ft (2.5m) 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 Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Thu night, light winds from the ESE by Sun morning).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 29°C on Wed morning, min 18°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thu
19
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
!
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
2.5
SSE
2
SSE
1.3
S
1
S
0.7
S
0.7
S
1.1
E
1.1
E
1.1
E
0.7
S
1.2
E
0.6
S
0.8
E
0.7
E
0.9
E
1.4
NE
0.8
SE
0.8
SE
0.8
SE
0.9
S
0.6
SE
Period(s) (?)998898667126116666109969
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)102362721311474637494104139119825236621231331221016765
Wind
(km/h)
25
SSE
15
SE
15
SE
15
E
20
E
20
ESE
15
E
15
ESE
20
ESE
10
SE
10
ESE
15
ESE
5
N
5
NE
25
ENE
10
N
5
NW
25
ENE
10
N
15
S
10
E
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
ononononononcross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
glasscross-
on
cross-
on
crossglassoncrosscross-
off
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
6:08AM
1.17
7:01PM
0.79
6:54AM
1.25
7:43PM
0.87
7:36AM
1.33
8:21PM
0.96
8:16AM
1.40
8:57PM
1.05
8:55AM
1.45
9:33PM
1.13
9:35AM
1.47
10:09PM
1.20
10:15AM
1.45
Low Tide
/ height (m)
11:04PM
0.44
1:08PM
0.32
12:03AM
0.41
1:46PM
0.24
12:56AM
0.36
2:21PM
0.16
1:44AM
0.31
2:55PM
0.10
2:29AM
0.25
3:30PM
0.06
3:13AM
0.20
4:04PM
0.05
3:57AM
0.18
4:40PM
0.06
Friday
13
Saturday
14
Sunday
15
Monday
16
Tuesday
17
Wednesday
18
Thu
19
Sunrise-6:26--6:26--6:28--6:28--6:30--6:31--6:31-
Sunset--7:46--7:45--7:45--7:44--7:43--7:42--7:40
light rain
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
Rain (mm)
3------11121---------
Temp. °C202121212122212222212122212224222929272525
Feels °C (?)171818191819182020192020202222202826262627
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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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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