Surf Forecasts:
Newcastle Beach surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, ESE swell with 282 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s 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 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Newcastle Beach in the next 16 days are 1.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Newcastle Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next 16 days are a bit of a mixed bag for Newcastle Beach. There’s a bit of a rough patch to start, with Wednesday morning the only real bright spot early on, then a long quiet spell before things get interesting again towards the end of the month and into September. It’s not a total write-off, but you’ll need to pick your moments.
The first real chance to get wet comes early Wednesday morning, August 19th. Newcastle Beach is a beach and reef setup, exposed to the swell, and it’s very consistent here, so it usually has something. The water is sitting at 64°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – about 2° off, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit. We’ve got a clean 2ft ESE swell with a 10-second period, and the wind is a light NNE cross-off at 3 mph. Combined wave energy is 204 (moderate), but the conditions are clean, making it a good little session for the beginner crowd. There’s a bit of a chance of crowds here, as it’s a popular spot, but on a Wednesday morning it should be manageable.
From Wednesday afternoon, things go downhill fast. The wind picks up from the ENE at 15 mph, making a mess of the 4ft ESE swell. Thursday through to the end of the following week is pretty grim – small, weak swells with poor winds and mostly ordinary surf. Thursday morning, August 20th, has a clean 3ft swell but with a short 7-second period, and the energy is only 73 (weak). Friday morning, August 21st, has a tiny 2ft swell with offshore NW wind, but not enough oomph to get excited about. The weekend and the start of the following week are a complete write-off, with waves barely breaking.
It’s not until the morning of Thursday, August 27th, that we see a real change, but it’s a rough one. An 8ft S swell with an 11-second period rolls in, and the combined energy is a massive 1561 (very strong). That’s serious size, but the wind is a cross-shore SW at 12 mph, creating a chop. This is expert-only territory – too big for beginners, and the conditions are marginal with questionable tide. It’s not a clean day, but the power is there for the brave.
The best of the entire outlook lands on Friday morning, August 28th. The swell drops to a more manageable 5ft from the SSE, with a 9-second period, and the wind swings offshore from the WNW at 12 mph. Combined energy is 315 (moderate), and the conditions are clean and offshore. It’s a standout for sure. Friday afternoon gets even better for the late session – the wind goes glassy, with a 4ft SSE swell and 338 (moderate) energy. That afternoon is a true gem, with clean, glassy conditions. Saturday morning, August 29th, is a letdown after that, with a cross-shore wind spoiling the 4ft swell.
Looking further out, the first week of September has some promise. Tuesday morning, September 1st, has a 5ft SE swell with a 12-second period, which is a nice long-period groundswell. Combined energy is 801 (strong), but the wind is a light cross-shore, so it’s a bit messy. The best day in this stretch is Wednesday morning, September 2nd, with a 4ft SE swell, 9-second period, and absolutely glassy conditions with zero wind. Combined energy is 288 (moderate), and it’s clean as a whistle. That’s a prime morning for a long, smooth session, especially for the beach and reef setup here. The rest of the week trails off into small and onshore slop.
So, the two standout windows are Friday August 28th (both morning and afternoon) and Wednesday morning September 2nd. The Friday is a bigger, cleaner swell with offshore winds, while the Wednesday is a smaller, glassy day perfect for cruising. For the beginners, stick to the Wednesday morning of the 2nd, as the Friday swell at 5ft is still a bit of a push. For the more experienced, Friday afternoon’s glassy conditions on a 4ft swell are the best bet.
Stay safe, and don’t bother with the middle of the month – it’s a write-off. Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 23°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 16 | S 12 | S 10 | ENE 7 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
92 | 282 | 95 | 64 | 66 | 70 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 51 | 25 | 28 | 49 | 157 | 46 | 34 | 35 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 5:52AM1.02m | 5:41PM1.50m | 6:35AM1.11m | 6:23PM1.57m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:00AM0.61m | 00:36AM0.38m | 11:53AM0.55m | 1:10AM0.29m | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 15 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | S 9 | SE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 8 | S 4 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | E 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
86 | 14 | 95 | 64 | 58 | 70 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 3 | 24 | 22 | 28 | 9 | 41 | 46 | 34 | 35 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | — | E 12 | E 11 | E 10 | S 13 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | S 9 | S 5 | ENE 6 | S 9 | SSE 16 | E 4 | E 5 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 |
92 | — | 3 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 51 | 5 | 8 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 14 | 13 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | — | — | — | S 14 | — | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 7 | S 9 | S 4 | ENE 6 | S 16 | S 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 15 | — | S 14 | S 13 |
26 | — | — | — | 4 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 45 | 25 | 6 | 6 | 18 | — | 4 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 10 | ENE 5 | — | ENE 6 | — | NW 2 | WNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | E 8 | ENE 4 | — | ENE 7 | NE 6 | NNW 4 | NW 3 | WSW 3 |
— | 282 | 39 | — | 66 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | 9 | — | 49 | 157 | 8 | 6 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 295 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 103 | 175 | 175 | 242 | 144 | 21 | 242 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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.











