Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Tuesday 09 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
23.0° C
(Which is 1.2°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 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 10) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s 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 2.3m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Dec 16) 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 1.5m 6s period and expected on Monday (Dec 15) at 8AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Wed 10th Dec)2.5ft (0.8m) 8s
Best Surf 8AM (Tue 16th Dec)7.5ft (2.3m) 11s
Most Powerful 8AM (Tue 16th Dec)7.5ft (2.3m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Frenchmans Reef over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 30mm), heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 22°C on Tue night, min 17°C on Fri afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Tue night, calm by Wed night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 27°C on Sun afternoon, min 17°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, strong winds from the SSW by Sun night).

Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tue
16
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
1
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
!
1
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.8
ENE
1.4
S
1
S
0.6
S
1.3
S
1.6
SSE
1.1
SE
1
E
1.1
E
1.1
E
1.3
E
1.5
E
1.2
ENE
1
E
1.2
E
1
ENE
1.4
S
1.6
SSE
1.8
SSE
2.1
S
1.9
S
Period(s) (?)666666612121111117888677109
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)38153742813017685285330303387516143114168120148225298953625
Wind
(km/h)
30
SSW
25
SSW
15
SSE
5
E
15
SSE
25
E
10
NE
5
NE
5
ESE
5
W
10
N
25
ENE
10
W
10
NW
25
ENE
40
SSW
15
SSE
20
ESE
20
ESE
15
E
15
E
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
off
crossoncross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
offcrosscross-
on
offcross-
off
oncross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
onon
High Tide
/ height (m)
1:17AM
1.04
1:08PM
1.41
2:15AM
1.05
2:02PM
1.29
3:16AM
1.08
3:00PM
1.19
4:16AM
1.13
4:00PM
1.09
5:10AM
1.19
5:02PM
1.02
5:58AM
1.25
6:01PM
0.97
6:41AM
1.31
6:54PM
0.95
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:48AM
0.47
8:04PM
0.23
7:51AM
0.52
8:53PM
0.28
8:59AM
0.55
9:40PM
0.33
10:09AM
0.55
10:25PM
0.36
11:19AM
0.53
11:08PM
0.38
12:22PM
0.49
11:48PM
0.38
1:15PM
0.44
Wednesday
10
Thursday
11
Friday
12
Saturday
13
Sunday
14
Monday
15
Tue
16
Sunrise-5:37--5:37--5:37--5:37--5:37--5:37--5:37-
Sunset--7:53--7:53--7:54--7:55--7:57--7:57--7:58
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
mod rain
mod rain
rain showers
clear
clear
part cloud
mod rain
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
Rain (mm)
---643773---9--------
Temp. °C221920212021202018192426212627231920191819
Feels °C (?)241718242021192119212425212626251818161618
  • 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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