Surf Forecasts:
Newcastle Beach surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, ESE swell with 226 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Newcastle Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Newcastle Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Newcastle Beach in the next 16 days are 1.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Newcastle Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get this straight from the start. Newcastle Beach is your go-to spot here, but I gotta be honest with you – the next couple of weeks are looking pretty slim. The water’s running a bit colder than normal for this time of year, sitting at 63°, so you’ll be wanting a good wetsuit. Let’s break it down.
For the first few days, there’s nothing really happening. Sunday afternoon, the 16th of August, is a write-off with rain showers, onshore wind from the southeast at 12 mph, and a weak 5 ft SE swell that’s just messy. Combined wave energy is only 318 – that’s weak. Not worth paddling out.
Monday the 17th, same story. Morning sees a tiny 4 ft ESE swell, period of only 7 seconds, and onshore wind. The energy is a bit lower at 219. It’s a marginal call at best, and the afternoon is even worse. Tuesday the 18th has cross-onshore winds carving up what little there is. The outlook stays poor right through the week.
A glimmer appears on Wednesday morning, the 19th of August. The wind drops to glassy calm at 0 mph, and we get a 2 ft swell from the ESE with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy is 198 – still weak, but with glassy conditions, the waves will be clean. It’s only surfable, not great, but it’s the first real chance in days. The afternoon might be a bit better with a 4 ft swell and light onshore wind, but it’s still marginal.
Thursday the 20th morning is clean with a cross-offshore wind from the NNW at 6 mph, but the swell is a tiny 3 ft from the ESE with a 7-second period. Energy is only 82. It’s clean, but small. After that, things go downhill again. Friday and Saturday are flat, with swell barely reaching 1 ft and onshore or cross-shore winds. The 22nd has a 1 ft ENE swell and moderate cross-onshore – total write-off.
Sunday the 23rd through Monday the 24th have some small energy, but it’s not worth your time. On Monday the 24th morning, there’s a 1 ft SSE groundswell with a very long period of 19 seconds, and offshore wind from the WNW at 12 mph. The energy is 160 – weak, but the sets will be clean. That long period means the waves will be slow and walled up at the beach, so it’s not ideal for Newcastle Beach’s setup. Still, a clean session might be possible if you’re desperate.
Now, the biggest swell of the period shows up on Tuesday the 25th of August. We’ve got a 5 ft S swell with a 12-second period, but the wind is a nasty cross-shore from the SSW at 19 mph. The combined energy jumps to 880 – that’s strong. But the conditions are poor, with lumpy cross-chop. That’s a miss. Wednesday the 26th is cleaner, with cross-offshore wind from the west at 19 mph, and a 4 ft S swell (period 12 seconds, energy 456). The wind is strong, but the waves will be clean and well-shaped. It’s still a bit raw for beginners at 4 ft, but for experienced surfers, this could be the best of the run. The west wind is offshore, so the waves will be clean.
The rest of the week into early September is a bust. Thursday the 27th, Friday the 28th, and Saturday the 29th all have strong cross-shore or cross-onshore winds and small swell. The weekend of the 30th and 31st has some tiny surf with onshore or offshore wind, but nothing to get excited about.
The standout for the whole period? Wednesday the 19th of August morning for the glassy conditions, and Wednesday the 26th of August for the strongest, cleanest swell. If you’re an experienced surfer, the 26th is your best bet – a solid 4 ft S swell (12-second period, 456 energy), clean with cross-offshore wind, and consistent. The water’s a bit colder than normal, so don’t be shy with the rubber.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SE 7 | S 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | S 9 | S 9 | ENE 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
183 | 75 | 117 | 96 | 136 | 136 | 127 | 103 | 92 | 226 | 147 | 73 | 107 | 51 | 30 | 22 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 9 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 10:54PM1.46m | 11:30AM1.42m | 11:35PM1.30m | 12:12PM1.39m | 00:16AM1.16m | 12:59PM1.36m | 1:04AM1.03m | 1:52PM1.34m | 2:06AM0.94m | 2:52PM1.35m | 3:30AM0.91m | 3:55PM1.38m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:49PM0.36m | 5:12AM0.28m | 5:38PM0.44m | 5:46AM0.37m | 6:30PM0.53m | 6:20AM0.46m | 7:31PM0.60m | 6:59AM0.54m | 8:45PM0.63m | 7:47AM0.60m | 10:07PM0.62m | 8:49AM0.64m | 11:13PM0.55m | |||||||
— | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 18 | ESE 6 | S 9 | ESE 7 | S 8 | S 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 |
102 | 75 | 81 | 96 | 35 | 34 | 127 | 103 | 81 | 226 | 147 | 73 | 60 | 51 | 30 | 22 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 9 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 7 | S 16 | S 9 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | S 9 | S 8 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | S 12 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | S 9 | S 9 | S 6 |
25 | 70 | 21 | 78 | 25 | 10 | 55 | 85 | 92 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | S 11 | — | SSW 13 | ESE 11 | SE 15 | SE 14 | S 10 | S 9 | — | E 11 | — | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 7 | E 10 | S 9 |
8 | 40 | — | 53 | 12 | 9 | 46 | 30 | 25 | — | 9 | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | — | ESE 7 | — | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | — | E 7 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 2 | WNW 3 |
183 | — | 117 | — | 136 | 136 | — | — | — | — | 25 | — | 107 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 95 | 34 | 2 | 2 | 134 | 136 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 225 | 0 | 21 | 98 | 165 | 165 | 175 | 165 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Newcastle Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Newcastle Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Newcastle Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Newcastle 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 (Newcastle 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 Newcastle 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Newcastle? If you are looking for accommodation near Newcastle Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Newcastle, consider staying in Newcastle which is 2 km (1 miles) away. Other places in and around Newcastle where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Catherine Hill Bay which is 30 km (19 miles) away, Port Stephens, Cessnock and Central Coast.











