Surf Forecasts:
Lakes Beach surf forecast from 2 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 3 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, SE swell with 558 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period with SE 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 Monday (Aug 03) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 21s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s is also forecast. 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 1.4m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lakes Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Righto, let’s talk about Lakes Beach. It’s a sandbar setup that’s exposed and takes swell from the SE, but the optimum direction here is SE. The water temp is sitting at 64°, which is right about average for this time of year; nothing unusual there.
We’ve got a bit of a quiet start. The first proper session I’d point you to is Monday afternoon, the 3rd of August. We’ve got a 3ft SE swell, period 11 seconds, with a light cross-offshore breeze. The wave energy is sitting at 235 (moderate), and it should be clean. It’s small, but it’s rideable.
Thursday morning, the 6th of August, is a step up. Swell from the south at 4ft, period 9 seconds, and a light cross-offshore breeze from the WNW. The energy registers 233 (moderate), and it’s clean. A solid little session for a sandbar.
The standout window, though, is Friday morning, the 7th of August. We’ve got 4ft of south swell, 9-second period, and the wind is glassy – WSW at 5 km/h. That’s proper clean. The combined energy sits at 250 (moderate). This is the pick of the first week: glassy, clean, and a decent little wave.
Now, there’s a long gap of nothing much after that. The next real standout doesn’t arrive until Sunday morning, the 16th of August. This one is for advanced surfers only. The swell jumps to 7ft from the south, period 13 seconds, energy hits 1372 (strong). The wind is cross-offshore from the SSW, and it’s clean. This is a proper groundswell, and it’s got some punch. The swell is too big for beginners, and it’s a long-period swell, so it might be a bit straight at a beach break – but the power is there.
Then Monday morning, the 17th of August, is another cracker. Swell from the south at 6ft, period 15 seconds – that’s very long-period groundswell, so it’ll have plenty of energy and shape. The energy reading is 1594 (very strong). The wind is glassy, WNW at 5 km/h. This is a serious session for experienced surfers. That long period will mean clean, powerful lines, and the glassy conditions make it all the more tempting.
So, if you’re only paddling out once, make it Friday morning the 7th for the glassy, clean small stuff, or the 16th/17th for the bigger, more powerful groundswell – but that’s only for the crew who know what they’re doing.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 9°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSW 6 | E 11 | E 10 | S 7 | SSW 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 558 | 338 | 220 | 106 | 25 | 10 | 9 | 31 | 51 | 107 | 180 | 354 | 332 | 234 | 189 | 153 | 64 | 45 | 66 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off | glassy | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 2:58PM1.44m | 3:35AM0.98m | 4:07PM1.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:59AM0.15m | 5:08PM0.40m | 5:35AM0.19m | 6:03PM0.43m | 6:16AM0.25m | 7:10PM0.45m | 7:05AM0.31m | 8:28PM0.44m | 8:05AM0.36m | 9:51PM0.38m | 9:15AM0.39m | 11:06PM0.28m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 21 | 22 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 13 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SSW 4 | SSW 6 | E 11 | S 6 | S 7 | SSW 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 |
| kJ | 558 | 338 | 220 | 106 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 18 | 51 | 107 | 180 | 354 | 332 | 234 | 189 | 153 | 64 | 45 | 66 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | S 21 | E 15 | NE 4 | SE 10 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 10 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 10 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | E 10 | SE 9 | E 8 | E 8 |
| kJ | 11 | 35 | 4 | 5 | 25 | 9 | 4 | 31 | 26 | 22 | 5 | 16 | 38 | 15 | 8 | 18 | 22 | 21 | 48 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 21 | NE 7 | S 16 | E 15 | ESE 7 | SSE 10 | SE 13 | S 10 | S 10 | NE 8 | E 12 | E 16 | E 16 | NE 12 | E 10 | ENE 6 | E 9 | SSE 9 | SE 12 |
| kJ | 36 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 15 | 16 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 4 | NW 3 | NNE 4 | NW 3 | W 3 | — | SW 5 | W 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 3 | — | NNE 3 |
| kJ | 19 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 1 | — | 25 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 4 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 18 | 116 | 206 | 5 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 336 | 38 |
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.
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