Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 3 pm Tuesday 26 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
20.6° 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 Tuesday (May 26) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 3.0m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 11s is also forecast. 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 Tuesday (May 26) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Friday (May 29) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Tue 26th May)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Best Surf 7PM (Tue 26th May)10ft (3.0m) 12s
Most Powerful 7PM (Tue 26th 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

Heavy rain (total 47mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Tue
26
Wednesday
27
Thursday
28
Friday
29
Saturday
30
Sunday
31
Monday
1
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
Rating
(10 max)
!
!
!
!
4
2
2
!
2
1
1
3
3
!
3
3
3
2
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
ENE
12
2.5
E
12
2.2
E
12
2.1
E
12
1.9
E
12
1.8
E
11
2
E
11
2.2
E
10
1.9
E
10
1.8
E
10
1.7
E
10
1.7
E
10
1.4
E
10
2.4
SSW
8
1.9
S
9
2
SSW
9
1.7
S
9
1.1
S
7
0.9
S
7
0.7
E
10
0.6
E
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
2476
1827
1439
1287
986
783
915
1081
680
612
535
535
363
770
599
613
492
127
85
96
65
Wind (km/h)
15
NE
10
N
0
WNW
10
SE
5
ESE
10
SSE
10
ESE
0
S
15
S
30
SSW
25
SW
20
WSW
15
WSW
20
W
25
W
25
WSW
20
W
15
WNW
20
NW
20
N
30
NW
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
High Tide
5:08PM1.30m
5:16AM1.14m
5:52PM1.37m
6:07AM1.10m
6:32PM1.44m
6:53AM1.07m
7:10PM1.48m
7:36AM1.05m
7:47PM1.51m
8:17AM1.02m
8:23PM1.51m
8:58AM1.00m
8:58PM1.50m
9:38AM0.98m
Low Tide
11:20PM0.44m
11:14AM0.34m
00:15AM0.39m
11:53AM0.34m
1:04AM0.33m
12:31PM0.34m
1:48AM0.29m
1:08PM0.34m
2:30AM0.26m
1:44PM0.35m
3:10AM0.23m
2:21PM0.38m
3:49AM0.22m
mod rain
rain showers
clear
light rain
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
mod rain
light rain
light rain
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
light rain
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:43
6:45
6:45
6:46
6:46
6:47
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
4:55
4:55
4:54
4:54
4:54
4:53
4:53
4:53
10
4
2
7
1
3
13
7
3
2
2
Temp °C
20
19
19
19
20
21
20
19
19
19
19
19
19
16
19
18
14
17
17
14
17
20
20
19
19
21
22
20
20
19
15
16
15
17
11
14
12
9
13
12
9
9
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.5
E
12
2.5
E
12
2.2
E
12
2.1
E
12
1.9
E
12
1.8
E
11
0.5
S
8
2
E
10
1.9
E
10
1.8
E
10
1.7
E
10
1.7
E
10
1.4
E
10
1.8
SSW
8
1.9
S
9
1.7
S
9
1.7
S
9
1.1
S
7
0.9
S
7
0.7
S
7
0.6
E
10
Energy kJ
1738
1827
1439
1287
986
783
34
873
680
612
535
535
363
437
599
465
492
127
85
51
65
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
S
12
0.3
S
11
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.5
S
9
0.5
S
8
0.2
S
17
0.4
SSE
8
0.3
S
11
0.3
S
10
1.2
S
6
1.1
S
6
0.1
S
14
1.2
E
10
1.2
E
10
1
E
10
0.7
E
10
0.7
E
10
0.6
E
10
0.7
E
10
0.4
S
7
Energy kJ
42
21
8
8
41
35
22
20
21
18
89
98
4
271
294
202
89
94
68
96
17
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
16
0.2
S
14
0.2
S
16
0.2
S
16
0.3
SSE
7
0.1
SW
5
0.2
S
10
0.1
S
15
0.6
S
9
0.5
S
9
0.3
SSW
10
0.1
S
10
Energy kJ
6
6
5
5
16
21
20
11
1
7
4
60
45
19
2
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
ENE
12
2
E
11
2.2
E
10
1.8
SSW
7
2.4
SSW
8
0.7
W
4
2
SSW
9
0.6
W
4
0.6
W
4
0.2
WNW
3
0.5
NW
3
0.8
NNW
4
Energy kJ
2476
915
1081
325
770
13
613
11
9
1
4
20
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
3
2
4
2
2
2
1
2
Distance (km)
11
9
0
0
14
11
52
316
2
13
13
13
0
67
0
0
20
0
0
11
2
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
2
2
3
2
2
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
4
5
5
4
4
4
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
2
4
4
4
5
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
4
9
9
7
6
6
9
9
9
9
5
5
5
4
7
7
7
5
4
4
6
  • 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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