Surf Forecasts:
Lakes Beach surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, S swell with 3,004 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Monday (Sep 21) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lakes Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for Lakes Beach over the next couple of weeks. I gotta be straight with you from the start: this is a run for the big guys, the experienced crew. This is not a beginner’s zone for the next few days.
The main event is right on our doorstep. Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th are bringing a serious wall of water. We're looking at a solid 10-12 ft south swell, grinding in with moderate energy (2232-3482). That's a lot of power. The winds are cross-offshore, which should keep things clean, but let’s be real – at that size, this is an expert-only sandbar. The rip will be pulling hard and the paddle-out will be a mission. If you're not on your A-game, give this one a miss and watch from the sand. That 10-second period on the swell means decent lines, but it’s just so much water moving around here.
By Friday the 18th, the swell drops, but we get onshore wind and the quality disappears. We hit a bit of a dry spell for the next few days. Saturday the 19th morning has a tiny little 3 ft south swell with glassy offshore winds, but it’s barely 313 in energy. It’s rideable for a log or a foiling session, but not what I’d call a proper surf. Sunday the 20th is much the same story—small, cleanish but ordinary.
From there, it’s a real quiet stretch. Through the 21st to the 26th of September, we’re looking at flat, weak, or messy conditions. Lots of onshore wind and poor surf. There's a brief moment on the afternoon of the 25th where the wind goes glassy, but the swell is only 5 ft from the ENE with a short 6-second period – it’s just not going to hold up.
The one other standout to bookmark is Sunday the 27th, later in the day. We’ve got a 7 ft ENE swell rolling in with a bit more energy behind it (364). The wind is light and cross-onshore, which isn't perfect, but it’s a bigger pulse. Even so, that's getting solid for the beach and it’s got a short period, so it'll be a bit lumpy. Only for the experienced crew looking for a punchy wave.
To sum it up: the absolute best of the window is Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th. It’s big, it’s clean, but you’d better be an expert. Everything after that is a long wait for small or average conditions, with the 27th being a potential late hit.
Stay safe out there.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Tue night, light winds from the NE by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Mon morning, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 17 | S 10 | S 11 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 995 | 2222 | 2793 | 2875 | 1924 | 885 | 528 | 407 | 340 | 211 | 154 | 111 | 85 | 168 | 96 | 140 | 113 | 157 | 197 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | on | on | cross-off | off | on | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:54PM1.12m | 11:13AM1.40m | 11:39PM1.01m | 11:59AM1.34m | 00:34AM0.92m | 12:54PM1.27m | 1:48AM0.86m | 2:04PM1.24m | 3:16AM0.87m | 3:16PM1.25m | 4:27AM0.92m | 4:18PM1.29m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:42AM0.37m | 5:51PM0.39m | 5:18AM0.46m | 6:50PM0.46m | 6:02AM0.53m | 8:02PM0.50m | 7:03AM0.59m | 9:21PM0.50m | 8:23AM0.62m | 10:27PM0.45m | 9:41AM0.59m | 11:15PM0.38m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 27 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 12 | ENE 13 | E 13 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 7 | S 10 | S 11 | SSE 8 |
| kJ | 7 | 6 | 16 | 3 | 1555 | 885 | 528 | 407 | 340 | 211 | 154 | 111 | 85 | 168 | 96 | 25 | 113 | 157 | 197 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 15 | — | — | E 13 | S 19 | E 13 | SE 7 | S 18 | S 16 | S 17 | S 15 | S 17 | S 17 | SSE 19 | S 17 | S 16 | NE 5 | S 11 |
| kJ | 15 | 4 | — | — | 3 | 7 | 3 | 49 | 156 | 121 | 143 | 74 | 53 | 22 | 74 | 140 | 20 | 1 | 110 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | — | — | — | — | E 13 | S 19 | S 18 | E 12 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | E 11 | S 14 | S 10 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | E 11 |
| kJ | 5 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 60 | 3 | 33 | 16 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 54 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | — | — | — | ESE 7 | W 2 | NW 3 | — | — | SW 3 | NE 3 | WSW 3 | — | S 4 | — |
| kJ | 995 | 2222 | 2793 | 2875 | 1924 | — | — | — | 62 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 8 | 2 | — | 7 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 170 | 779 | 789 | 168 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 38 | 5 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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