Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 4 pm Saturday 10 Jan 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
24.2° C
(Which is slightly warmer than usual)


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 Saturday (Jan 10) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 2.2m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Frenchmans Reef in the next 12 days are 3.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jan 16) at 2PM. 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 Sunday (Jan 11) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sat 10th Jan)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Best Surf11PM (Sat 10th Jan)10ft (3.0m) 8s
Most Powerful 2PM (Fri 16th Jan)11ft (3.5m) 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 Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 35°C on Sat afternoon, min 18°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the SSW by Thu night).

Sat
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
PMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAM
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
!
!
!
!
!
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
1.9
NE
1.7
ENE
2.2
S
2.4
S
1.7
S
1.4
ESE
1.6
ESE
1.5
E
0.9
ESE
1.1
E
0.7
S
1.2
ENE
0.5
SSE
1.2
ENE
1.7
S
1.8
S
3
S
3.5
S
3.5
S
3
S
3
SSE
Period(s) (?)8888877878108108781011111110
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)41838354480936315827624884135941505516328244317672856264620772013
Wind
(km/h)
25
NE
35
SSW
25
S
25
SSE
15
ESE
20
SE
15
E
15
ENE
10
NE
20
ENE
15
ENE
10
NNE
10
S
10
NNW
15
S
30
SSE
40
SSW
30
S
30
SSE
25
SSE
25
SSE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
off
crosscross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
ononcross-
on
oncross-
on
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
crosscrosscross-
off
crosscrosscrosscross
High Tide
/ height (m)
2:14PM
1.07
3:16AM
1.13
3:06PM
0.95
4:13AM
1.14
4:06PM
0.86
5:08AM
1.17
5:16PM
0.80
5:59AM
1.21
6:24PM
0.79
6:44AM
1.26
7:19PM
0.82
7:25AM
1.32
8:05PM
0.86
8:04AM
1.38
Low Tide
/ height (m)
8:42PM
0.30
9:31AM
0.51
9:23PM
0.35
10:42AM
0.51
10:06PM
0.39
11:52AM
0.48
10:52PM
0.40
12:52PM
0.42
11:40PM
0.40
1:39PM
0.35
12:29AM
0.39
2:18PM
0.27
1:16AM
0.36
Sat
10
Sunday
11
Monday
12
Tuesday
13
Wednesday
14
Thursday
15
Friday
16
Sunrise--5:54--5:56--5:56--5:58--5:58--6:00--6:00
Sunset8:06--8:06--8:05--8:05--8:05--8:05--8:05--
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
thunderstorm
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
Rain (mm)
----11122----312-1--11-
Temp. °C352921201920212224252426232222232120222020
Feels °C (?)322717161919212326252528252522221716171515
  • 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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