Lakes Beach surf break

Lakes Beach surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 am Sunday 18 Jan 2026 AEDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Lakes Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Lakes Beach sea temperature is
23.2° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Lakes Beach this week:

The surf forecast for Lakes Beach over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jan 20) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 2.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Lakes Beach in the next 12 days are 2.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jan 21) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 16s period and expected on Monday (Jan 19) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Tue 20th Jan)8ft (2.5m) 10s
Best Surf11PM (Tue 20th Jan)8ft (2.5m) 10s
Most Powerful 2AM (Wed 21st Jan)8ft (2.5m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lakes Beach over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Heavy rain (total 49mm), heaviest during Sun morning. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Sun morning, light winds from the SE by Mon night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
!
!
1
3
2
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
3.5
ESE
3
ESE
3
ESE
2.5
ESE
1.7
SE
1.9
ESE
1.5
SE
1.8
SE
2.5
ESE
2.1
ESE
2
ESE
1.8
ESE
1.7
ESE
1.6
ESE
1.5
ESE
1.4
ESE
1.4
ESE
0.9
E
1.4
ESE
1
E
1.5
ENE
Period(s) (?)9888988111010101010101010101111106
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)1814127211088174214692897631412978794615578490430363342202433221175
Wind
(km/h)
30
ESE
30
SE
25
SE
20
ESE
20
ESE
15
SE
20
SE
25
SSE
20
SE
25
S
20
SSE
10
WSW
10
SSE
20
SE
20
SSE
10
ESE
20
E
15
NE
20
NE
40
ENE
15
NE
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
crosscrosscrosscrosscross-
off
crossoffcrosscrosscrosscross-
on
cross-
on
onononcross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
8:46AM
1.61
9:25PM
1.06
9:23AM
1.65
10:02PM
1.10
9:58AM
1.65
10:40PM
1.14
10:34AM
1.63
11:18PM
1.19
11:10AM
1.58
11:59PM
1.23
11:50AM
1.49
12:43AM
1.27
12:34PM
1.38
1:33AM
1.31
Low Tide
/ height (m)
3:35PM
0.18
2:50AM
0.34
4:09PM
0.14
3:29AM
0.32
4:42PM
0.11
4:09AM
0.33
5:16PM
0.09
4:52AM
0.34
5:50PM
0.10
5:38AM
0.38
6:26PM
0.12
6:30AM
0.42
7:05PM
0.17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunrise6:01--6:01--6:03--6:03--6:05--6:05--6:07--
Sunset-8:05--8:05--8:04--8:04--8:02--8:02--8:02-
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
rain showers
light rain
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
258102-1--3------------
Temp. °C212121212221222220212120202120212121212322
Feels °C (?)181717181919191818181918191817212018202119
  • 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 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 12 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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