
Surf Forecasts:
Lakes Beach surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 14s period, SSE swell with 1,127 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Lakes Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Lakes Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lakes Beach in the next 16 days are 1.7m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) 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 0.6m 3s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Fri 31st Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lakes Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for Lakes Beach.
The outlook starts this Friday, 31 July, with a pulse of swell. We’ve got a 6ft south swell rolling in, period around 10 seconds, and a cross-off wind from the south. It’s clean, but the energy is moderate (668). That said, the score is marginal, so it’s not exactly firing on all cylinders. The water temp is sitting at 65°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year – nothing weird going on there.
The real standout window opens on Saturday morning, 1 August. The wind swings to a light offshore from the WSW, and we’ve got a 5ft SSE swell, period 9 seconds. The energy is moderate (456), but that offshore breeze is the key. It’ll clean things up nicely, and the break is fairly consistent. Crowds are sometimes a thing here, but with a morning session you should be okay. This is the best on offer for the first week.
Sunday morning, 2 August, still has some size at 5ft SSE, but the period jumps to 12 seconds – that’s a longer period groundswell, which means more energy (875) and better shaped waves, but the wind is cross-on from the north. It’ll be a bit bumpy. By Sunday afternoon, a strong onshore NE wind at 15 mph ruins it.
Monday and Tuesday are small and weak. Monday morning’s 3ft SE swell (286) is a write-off with poor conditions, and Tuesday drops to 2ft – barely a ripple.
Next Wednesday, 5 August, the morning looks promising again. A 3ft south swell, 10 seconds, with a clean offshore wind from the west. That’s a nice little window for a quick paddle. The energy is moderate (223).
Then Thursday, 6 August, is a standout. The morning is glassy – zero wind – with a 5ft south swell, 9 seconds. That’s clean, clean, clean. The energy is moderate (433). This is the best-looking session in the whole forecast. The swell is 5ft, so it’s not too big for most, but not for beginners. Crowds are possible, so get in early.
Friday, 7 August, has a similar setup: 5ft south swell, 10 seconds, and glassy conditions in the morning. Another beauty. Energy is moderate (472). This is the second standout.
After that, the surf really drops off. From Saturday, 8 August, through to the middle of the second week, it’s all small, weak, and mostly poor quality. You’ll see a few days with 2ft to 3ft swells, but the wind is often cross-on or onshore, and the energy is low (often under 200). There’s a brief flash on Tuesday, 11 August, with a 4ft SSW swell (306) and a fresh offshore wind, but the period is short (7 seconds) and the conditions are marginal.
From Wednesday, 12 August, to Saturday, 15 August, it’s mostly tiny – 1.0ft to 3ft – and not worth getting wet for. The swell energy is weak (under 100 at times). The water temp anomaly is normal, so no surprises there.
Overall, you’ve got two clear standout windows: Saturday morning, 1 August, and the glassy mornings on Thursday, 6 August, and Friday, 7 August. The rest of the 16-day run is a long stretch of flat or poor conditions. That’s the way it goes sometimes.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 10 | S 6 | S 6 | S 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
660 | 593 | 451 | 351 | 280 | 658 | 822 | 456 | 233 | 194 | 43 | 17 | 20 | 37 | 210 | 284 | 590 | 416 | 320 | 257 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:17PM1.58m | 9:58AM1.20m | 9:52PM1.53m | 10:36AM1.25m | 10:28PM1.45m | 11:16AM1.29m | 11:09PM1.35m | 12:01PM1.32m | 11:57PM1.24m | 12:52PM1.35m | 00:55AM1.12m | 1:51PM1.39m | 2:10AM1.03m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:55AM0.13m | 3:36PM0.35m | 4:26AM0.13m | 4:19PM0.37m | 4:59AM0.15m | 5:08PM0.40m | 5:35AM0.19m | 6:03PM0.43m | 6:16AM0.25m | 7:10PM0.45m | 7:05AM0.31m | 8:28PM0.44m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 12 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 10 | S 6 | S 6 | S 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 |
5 | 593 | 451 | 351 | 280 | 658 | 822 | 456 | 233 | 194 | 43 | 17 | 20 | 37 | 210 | 284 | 590 | 416 | 320 | 257 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | SE 14 | SSE 13 | SE 14 | S 21 | NE 5 | S 21 | ENE 5 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | E 7 | S 9 | E 8 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 |
3 | 5 | 2 | 46 | 229 | 214 | 36 | 25 | 35 | 2 | 21 | 10 | 8 | 15 | 4 | 30 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 13 | E 12 | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 9 | E 17 | S 21 | E 16 | S 20 | NNW 4 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | E 8 | E 11 | E 18 | E 12 | E 12 | E 12 | E 11 |
— | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 36 | 5 | 30 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NW 3 | W 3 | WNW 3 | — | W 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
660 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 40 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 234 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 83 | 128 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Lakes Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Lakes Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Lakes Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Lakes Beach 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 (Lakes Beach) 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 Lakes Beach 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.
Lakes Beach is 11 km (7 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.











