Surf Forecasts:
Newcastle Beach surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, ESE swell with 231 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m 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 cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 2s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 11s |
| 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
G’day, it’s Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you—looking at Newcastle Beach over the next couple of weeks, there’s not a whole lot to get excited about. We’ve got a long stretch of small, junky waves and tricky winds. Honestly, the first real window of clean surf doesn’t open up until Wednesday the 19th, and that’s still pretty marginal. For the best of a pretty average run, you’ll want to be out early on that Wednesday morning, and then keep an eye on Thursday the 27th for another shot. It’s a quiet period, but not completely dead.
The water’s sitting at 63°F on Monday, which is about 2°F colder than normal for this time of year—nothing crazy, but you’ll want the hoody or a thicker suit.
Okay, so starting Monday the 17th, it’s pretty ordinary. Cross-onshore winds and small, short-period ESE swell around 4ft. The energy is weak to moderate, with values reading 219 and 307. You’re looking at lumpy, poor conditions both morning and afternoon. Tuesday the 18th is much the same—cloudy, cross-on breeze, and messy 4ft surf. Not worth paddling out unless you’re desperate for a splash.
Now, here’s the one bright spot early on. Wednesday the 19th, morning is your window. The wind goes glassy with a light NNE breeze, and we’ve got a clean 2ft of ESE swell with a period of 10 seconds. The energy reading is 203, which is moderate. The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions,” and that’s the only solid call for a while. It’s small, so it’s perfect for the beginners—this is a great time to get the foamie out. The swell direction is ESE, which is fine, but it’s not the big stuff. This is your standout for the first week.
The rest of that week is a write-off. Wednesday afternoon blows up with a cross-on breeze; Thursday the 20th has some cross-off wind but the swell drops to under 3ft and the energy collapses to 75. Friday the 21st is tiny—2ft and 1ft—with strong offshores and light rain. Not happening.
The weekend of the 22nd and 23rd sees the swell bottom out completely, down to 0.7ft. There’s a long-period groundswell showing on Sunday the 23rd, with a period of 17 seconds, but it’s only 0.7ft. That’s not surf, that’s a ripple. The wind is glassy on Sunday morning, but there’s just nothing to ride. This is a proper lull, a few days with nothing on offer.
Early the following week, Monday the 24th, we get a pulse of long-period swell from the SSE, around 19 seconds. It’s still small, 1ft, but the energy reading jumps to 172 and 181. The wind is offshore and the water is clean. It’s surfable, but it’s gutless. The long period means it might be a bit too straight for the beach break, but it’s still the best of a bad bunch for that Monday. Not a standout, just an option.
Tuesday the 25th and Wednesday the 26th are blown out again with strong south winds and choppy conditions. The swell is around 2ft to 3ft, but the quality is poor.
Then we get our second real chance: Thursday the 27th, morning. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the WSW, the swell is 3ft from the SSE with a 10-second period, and the energy is up at 201. The forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” It’s going to be clean, but it’s still small. For the more experienced surfer, this might be a fun, clean little session. It’s not going to be epic, but it’s the best of the second week. After that, the week fades out again—Friday the 28th is cross-on and lumpy.
The final weekend, the 29th and 30th of August, is more of the same. Saturday morning is glassy but with a weak 3ft ENE swell; it’s surfable but ordinary. Sunday the 30th is rainy and small. The first of September rolls in with fresh cross-shore winds and a bumpy 2ft. That’s it.
So, summing it up: the standouts are Wednesday morning the 19th for a clean, small beginner-friendly wave, and Thursday morning the 27th for a slightly more powerful, cleaner option for the more experienced. The crowds at Newcastle Beach are often there, so expect some company. Everything else is a waiting game. It’s not a time to be picky; it’s a time to be patient. Forecasts can change, but for now, this is the picture.
Stay stoked,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | 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 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 6 | E 6 | S 8 | SSE 17 | S 16 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
117 | 96 | 153 | 124 | 131 | 103 | 92 | 231 | 169 | 66 | 71 | 51 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 29 | 21 | 28 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 4:54AM0.95m | 4:52PM1.43m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:57AM0.64m | 11:59PM0.47m | ||||||||
6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 6 | S 5 | ENE 3 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 |
117 | 78 | 35 | 34 | 131 | 103 | 86 | 231 | 169 | 66 | 70 | 51 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 11 | 14 | 28 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | S 8 | E 12 | E 11 | E 10 | E 8 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | S 5 | ENE 6 | S 9 | S 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 |
81 | 80 | 25 | 10 | 55 | 85 | 92 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 13 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | SSW 13 | ESE 11 | E 9 | SE 14 | S 10 | S 9 | — | E 12 | — | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 6 | SE 7 | S 9 | SE 7 | S 6 | SSE 17 | S 16 | S 15 |
21 | 53 | 12 | 2 | 47 | 30 | 25 | — | 3 | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 29 | 21 | 19 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — | NE 5 | — | ENE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | E 6 | — | SSW 2 | SSE 2 | — |
— | 96 | 153 | 124 | — | — | — | — | 31 | — | 71 | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | 1 | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 43 | 43 | 79 | 127 | 134 | 11 | 0 | 195 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 76 | 144 | 106 | 94 | 98 | 165 | 0 | 295 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











