Frenchmans Reef surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 3 am Friday 22 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
21.0° 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 Friday (May 22) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.5m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 14s 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 Saturday (May 23) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Friday (May 29) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Fri 22nd May)7ft (2.1m) 8s
Best Surf 1PM (Fri 22nd May)7ft (2.1m) 8s
Most Powerful 4PM (Sat 23rd 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 17mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Fri morning, calm by Sun night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
Wednesday
27
Thursday
28
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
!
!
0
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
4
3
1
2
2
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
SSE
8
2.5
SE
10
2.5
SE
10
3
ESE
11
3
ESE
12
3
E
12
3
E
12
2.5
E
12
2.5
E
11
2.5
E
11
2.5
E
12
2.3
E
11
2.1
E
11
2.1
E
12
2
E
12
1.9
E
12
1.9
E
11
1.7
E
11
1.6
E
11
1.5
E
11
1.4
E
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
639
1370
1539
2614
2804
2612
2184
2015
1868
1520
1652
1327
1068
1166
1076
939
922
701
585
496
392
Wind (km/h)
30
S
30
SSE
25
SSE
20
SSE
20
E
15
ESE
10
SE
15
ENE
5
NE
10
SW
10
SSE
10
SSW
10
SSW
5
SSE
10
NW
10
NW
15
SE
10
S
20
SSW
30
S
30
S
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
High Tide
1:10PM1.02m
1:01AM1.39m
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
Low Tide
6:39PM0.53m
8:00AM0.28m
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
light rain
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
cloud
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
light rain
mod rain
heavy rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:41
6:41
6:41
6:43
6:43
6:43
6:45
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
4:58
4:58
4:57
4:57
4:55
4:55
4:54
1
2
2
5
3
1
3
1
2
6
20
Temp °C
18
18
18
20
20
20
19
19
19
18
18
18
18
19
18
20
19
18
18
18
18
13
13
14
18
18
17
17
18
19
17
18
19
18
20
18
19
17
16
14
13
14
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
E
10
0.3
S
13
0.3
SSW
11
3
ESE
11
3
ESE
12
3
E
12
3
E
12
2.5
E
12
2.5
E
11
2.5
E
11
2.5
E
12
2.3
E
11
2.1
E
11
2.1
E
12
2
E
12
1.9
E
12
1.9
E
11
1.7
E
11
1.6
E
11
1.5
E
11
1.4
E
10
Energy kJ
186
31
25
2614
2804
2612
2184
2015
1868
1520
1652
1327
1068
1166
1076
939
922
701
585
496
392
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
S
15
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
0.5
S
14
0.4
S
12
0.4
S
12
0.3
S
11
0.2
S
11
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
10
0.2
S
9
0.2
S
8
0.2
S
8
Energy kJ
17
8
24
4
4
3
6
45
97
47
42
21
9
8
8
6
5
5
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
13
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
18
0.2
S
18
0.2
S
17
0.2
S
15
0.2
S
13
0.2
S
12
0.2
S
11
Energy kJ
3
6
2
7
25
22
17
12
11
9
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.3
SSE
8
2.5
SE
10
2.5
SE
10
0.4
SSW
3
0.4
SSW
4
0.3
SSW
4
0.3
SSW
4
Energy kJ
639
1370
1539
4
5
3
2
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
2
3
3
2
2
2
4
2
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
Distance (km)
157
163
198
89
89
89
14
89
0
0
13
0
0
13
0
0
14
13
14
130
129
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
6
5
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
7
6
5
6
8
5
5
6
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
9
8
9
  • 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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