
Surf Forecasts:
Lakes Beach surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 15 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, S swell with 1,967 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s period with ESE 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lakes Beach in the next 16 days are 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Wed 15th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lakes Beach over the next 16 days.
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a real slow start. We’ve got nothing worth paddling out for right through the first few days. The first sign of life won't show up until the middle of next week, so you can leave the boards in the shed for a bit. Once things get going, it’s all about Lakes Beach, and it’s a bit of a tricky one. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing wild.
The real action kicks off on Wednesday the 15th of July, but it’s a beast of a swell. We’re looking at 8.2ft to 9.8ft of short-period S swell (8 seconds), with a ton of energy behind it (combined energy of 948 to 1560). The wind is cross-off, which is good for shape, but this is strictly for the experienced crew only – if you’re a beginner, stay on the sand. This size is just too much for a fun session. Thursday the 16th stays chunky with 7.5ft to 6.2ft SSE swell (7 seconds), but the afternoon cleans up nicely with light cross-off wind, giving a brief window of "expect good surf conditions" – that’s a solid chance for a late session.
Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th keep the size up, 6.9ft to 7.5ft ESE swell (9-10 seconds), with enough energy (705 to 963) to get the heart pumping, but it’s still big. Again, advanced surfers only for these days. The crowds are “sometimes” an issue, so you might have some company if it’s looking good.
The standout window, and I mean the real gem here, is Thursday the 23rd of July. The morning is magic. We’ve got a clean 6.2ft SE swell (10 seconds) with glassy conditions and a light WSW wind. The energy is strong (1175), and the forecast says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers”. This is the one to circle on the calendar. The shape should be epic, and with that offshore wind, it’ll be lined up.
Before that, there’s a little tease on Monday the 20th afternoon with 5.9ft ESE swell (10 seconds) and light offshore wind – that’s a solid "expect very good surf conditions" call. Tuesday the 21st is another heavy hitter at 7.9ft to 7.2ft ESE swell with a longer 12-second period, but again, it’s just too big for most.
After the 23rd, it drops off fast. The last few days of the month look poor and small, with junk wind, so don’t expect anything. The 23rd is your best bet by a long shot.
Stay safe out there.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 10°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sun night, light winds from the S by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed morning, light winds from the S by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Sat 18 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SSW 8 | S 12 | SSW 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 11 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
225 | 109 | 51 | 31 | 32 | 11 | 23 | 9 | 8 | 41 | 943 | 1560 | 1198 | 588 | 345 | 660 | 660 | 660 | 732 | 865 | 878 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:06AM1.07m | 6:19PM1.74m | 7:08AM1.11m | 7:13PM1.82m | 8:03AM1.14m | 8:04PM1.86m | 8:55AM1.18m | 8:54PM1.85m | 9:44AM1.21m | 9:42PM1.79m | 10:32AM1.23m | 10:29PM1.67m | 11:20AM1.25m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 00:15AM0.17m | 11:38AM0.28m | 1:13AM0.06m | 12:36PM0.26m | 2:06AM-0.02m | 1:30PM0.24m | 2:56AM-0.06m | 2:23PM0.23m | 3:43AM-0.06m | 3:15PM0.24m | 4:28AM-0.02m | 4:07PM0.28m | 5:10AM0.04m | 5:01PM0.35m | |||||||
— | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | |
— | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 13 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
Feels °C | 10 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 12 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 16 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 11 | S 7 | WNW 3 | SSW 11 | S 17 | — | S 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | E 10 |
225 | 109 | 51 | 31 | 32 | 9 | 23 | 4 | 1 | 41 | 5 | — | 5 | 16 | 14 | 30 | 45 | 43 | 37 | 8 | 878 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | S 12 | S 11 | S 12 | S 7 | S 11 | S 7 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | N 10 | S 9 | S 19 | S 17 | S 10 |
4 | 26 | 13 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 2 | 2 | 29 | 23 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 14 | S 12 | S 12 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | S 16 | S 10 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | S 19 |
4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 27 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | WNW 4 | W 3 | WSW 4 | WNW 4 | NW 3 | WNW 4 | WNW 3 | WNW 4 | SSW 5 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | S 6 |
4 | 16 | 6 | 28 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 38 | 943 | 1560 | 1198 | 588 | 345 | 660 | 660 | 660 | 732 | 865 | 50 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 42 | 42 | 168 | 9 | 83 | 149 | 216 | 283 | 0 | 54 | 168 | 54 | 50 | 0 | 1 | 33 | 54 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
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.











