Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 3 am Saturday 16 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
21.2° 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 16) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Frenchmans Reef in the next 16 days are 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (May 21) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (May 20) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Sat 16th May)5ft (1.5m) 8s
Best Surf 7PM (Sat 16th May)7.5ft (2.3m) 8s
Most Powerful 4AM (Thu 21st May)11ft (3.5m) 11s

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 19mm), heaviest on Mon night. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the NNE by Mon night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Mainly strong winds.

Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
!
!
2
2
3
!
0
!
!
0
!
!
!
!
!
!
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
E
8
1.5
E
8
2.1
E
8
2.1
E
9
2
E
9
2
E
9
1.8
E
9
2.2
ENE
8
2.1
ENE
9
3.5
ENE
9
3
ENE
10
2.2
ENE
10
3
S
10
3
S
10
3.5
S
10
3
S
10
2.4
S
10
2.3
S
10
1.9
S
9
1.8
S
9
1.5
S
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
272
309
612
691
642
642
517
681
686
1704
1586
973
1626
1584
2317
2047
1161
1055
641
517
339
Wind (km/h)
5
SW
10
ESE
10
NNE
5
N
10
ENE
10
N
5
N
10
NNE
25
NNE
20
N
15
NW
35
SW
25
SSW
30
SSW
25
SW
20
SW
20
SSW
15
WSW
20
SW
25
SSW
10
WSW
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross
on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
7:46PM1.64m
8:24AM1.20m
8:33PM1.67m
9:16AM1.15m
9:21PM1.67m
10:09AM1.09m
10:11PM1.63m
11:06AM1.05m
11:04PM1.57m
12:06PM1.02m
00:00AM1.48m
1:10PM1.02m
1:01AM1.39m
Low Tide
1:15PM0.28m
2:25AM0.16m
2:00PM0.30m
3:19AM0.13m
2:47PM0.33m
4:13AM0.13m
3:37PM0.38m
5:09AM0.16m
4:31PM0.43m
6:06AM0.20m
5:32PM0.49m
7:03AM0.24m
6:39PM0.53m
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
heavy rain
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:37
6:37
6:39
6:39
6:39
6:41
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:01
5:00
5:00
5:00
4:59
4:59
4:58
1
4
14
4
6
13
Temp °C
18
19
19
19
20
19
19
19
19
19
20
15
17
17
15
17
17
16
17
18
17
18
19
18
19
20
19
19
19
16
18
19
8
12
11
10
12
13
12
12
13
14
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
E
8
1.5
E
8
2.1
E
8
2.1
E
9
2
E
9
2
E
9
1.8
E
9
1.8
ENE
9
2.5
ENE
9
3
ENE
10
2.2
ENE
10
1.6
ENE
10
1.4
ENE
10
1.2
ENE
10
3
S
10
2.4
S
10
1.9
S
10
1.9
S
9
1.8
S
9
1.5
S
9
Energy kJ
272
309
612
691
642
642
517
505
1185
1586
973
501
435
312
1664
1161
683
641
517
339
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.3
S
8
0.1
S
13
1.2
E
10
1.1
E
10
1
E
10
0.8
ENE
9
0.6
E
10
0.7
E
10
Energy kJ
12
3
302
245
196
118
64
90
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
SE
13
0.1
S
13
1
S
12
0.5
ENE
9
0.4
NE
9
Energy kJ
7
3
270
48
20
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.2
ENE
8
2.1
ENE
9
3.5
ENE
9
1.6
SSW
6
3
S
10
3
S
10
3.5
S
10
3
S
10
2.3
S
10
Energy kJ
681
686
1704
156
1626
1584
2317
2047
1055
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
3
3
2
2
4
2
4
3
4
4
3
2
2
4
4
3
4
2
Distance (km)
0
52
9
2
68
2
0
9
58
58
0
67
21
130
20
20
14
0
13
14
0
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
2
4
4
4
2
5
4
4
3
4
2
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
2
4
5
4
3
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
3
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
6
5
5
6
7
4
7
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
4
4
5
4
  • 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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