Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 3 am Saturday 23 May 2026 AEST
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
20.9° 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 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (May 23) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 3.0m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Frenchmans Reef in the next 16 days are 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (May 24) at 4AM. 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 Friday (May 29) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Sat 23rd May)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Best Surf 7AM (Sat 23rd May)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sun 24th May)10ft (3.0m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Frenchmans Reef over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 60mm), heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
27
Thursday
28
Friday
29
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
4
3
4
2
0
!
!
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
ESE
11
3
ESE
12
3
E
12
3
E
12
3
E
12
2.5
E
11
2.5
E
11
2.4
E
11
2.2
E
12
2.1
E
12
2.3
E
12
2.3
E
12
2
E
12
1.9
E
12
2
E
12
1.8
E
11
1.8
E
11
2.4
E
9
2.1
E
10
1.5
ESE
9
1.5
ESE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2186
2711
2738
2420
2524
1881
1655
1401
1280
1207
1469
1522
1111
1002
1066
764
741
881
813
370
378
Wind (km/h)
25
SSE
20
ESE
15
E
15
ESE
15
ENE
5
NE
15
SSW
15
SSW
15
SW
10
SW
10
SSW
5
SSW
10
WSW
10
SSE
5
SE
10
NNE
25
ENE
10
WNW
10
N
15
NW
15
NW
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
2:18PM1.06m
2:06AM1.30m
3:23PM1.13m
3:13AM1.23m
4:19PM1.21m
4:18AM1.18m
5:08PM1.30m
5:16AM1.14m
5:52PM1.37m
6:07AM1.10m
6:32PM1.44m
6:53AM1.07m
7:10PM1.48m
Low Tide
7:52PM0.55m
8:55AM0.31m
9:06PM0.54m
9:46AM0.33m
10:17PM0.50m
10:32AM0.34m
11:20PM0.44m
11:14AM0.34m
00:15AM0.39m
11:53AM0.34m
1:04AM0.33m
12:31PM0.34m
1:48AM0.29m
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
heavy rain
clear
thunderstorm
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:41
6:43
6:43
6:43
6:45
6:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
4:58
4:57
4:57
4:55
4:55
4:54
4:54
3
3
3
1
2
1
2
3
1
4
9
9
31
2
Temp °C
19
20
20
19
20
19
19
19
18
18
18
18
19
19
19
19
20
17
19
19
15
17
18
16
17
19
19
18
18
18
18
18
20
20
20
20
18
18
16
17
17
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
14
3
ESE
12
3
E
12
3
E
12
3
E
12
2.5
E
11
2.5
E
11
2.4
E
11
2.2
E
12
2.1
E
12
2.3
E
12
2.3
E
12
2
E
12
1.9
E
12
2
E
12
1.8
E
11
1.8
E
11
2.4
E
9
2.1
E
10
1.5
ESE
9
1.5
ESE
9
Energy kJ
4
2711
2738
2420
2524
1881
1655
1401
1280
1207
1469
1522
1111
1002
1066
764
741
881
813
370
378
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
21
0.2
S
18
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
14
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
18
0.3
S
16
0.4
S
14
0.4
S
12
0.4
S
12
0.3
S
11
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
9
0.3
S
8
0.3
S
8
0.3
S
8
0.2
S
16
1.3
E
10
1
E
10
Energy kJ
8
24
4
4
3
6
45
62
47
41
21
8
8
6
12
11
10
20
313
204
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
19
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
14
0.2
S
16
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
16
0.2
S
19
Energy kJ
3
6
2
7
6
5
5
5
5
4
21
6
2
5
29
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
ESE
11
1.5
E
6
0.4
WNW
3
0.4
NW
3
0.4
NW
3
0.5
NW
3
Energy kJ
2186
184
4
3
4
5
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
2
4
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
4
3
1
3
3
3
2
Distance (km)
89
89
234
89
113
0
13
14
0
0
0
0
0
13
0
9
89
0
2
0
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
3
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
6
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
8
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
6
6
6
5
7
9
9
7
  • 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 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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