Surf Forecasts:
Nobbys Reef surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 13s period, S swell with 212 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Nobbys Reef this week:
The surf forecast for Nobbys Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Nobbys Reef in the next 16 days are 0.8m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nobbys Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, it's Rusty.
Alright, look, this 16-day stretch for Nobbys Reef is a real mixed bag. We're looking at a lot of small, weak swell and iffy conditions for a while, but there are a couple of moments where this spot could really fire.
We start with a long flat spell. From the first few days through the first week, expect surf in the 2ft to 3ft range, with combined swell energy from 54 to 190 – very weak stuff. The wind is mostly cross-off or offshore, keeping the surface clean, but the waves are just too small and weak to get excited about. The morning of the 4th is the most promising of this early window with a little 2ft S swell at 11 seconds, but it's still nothing to get the kids out of bed for.
A big change comes on the 9th. That’s when a serious pulse of swell hits. Winds are offshore on Wednesday morning, keeping things clean, but the swell size jumps to a massive 13ft from the S with a combined energy of 6275. That’s not just big; that’s too big for Nobbys Reef. This is a warning: this break won’t hold that much water. Even the afternoon drops to 8ft, which is still expert territory only. For a reef break that's normally for advanced surfers, this will be a washing machine. That morning window on the 9th is the standout for experienced rippers only.
After that, it fades quickly. We get a messy few days with dropping swell and onshore winds, with the 10th and 11th offering nothing you’d want to paddle out into. There’s a long gap of poor, tiny waves through the middle of the month.
The last possible highlight is the morning of the 16th. We get a clean, gentle offshore breeze and 3ft of S swell at a short 7 seconds. Combined energy is at 233 – still very modest. It’s surfable, and the wind is right, but the period is short, so it'll be crumbly and weak. A fun option for a small-wave board, but nothing special.
Overall, if you’re an expert, the 9th is your one chance at something powerful, but know the limits of the break. Beginners, you’re out of luck for the whole forecast.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Fri morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 6 | S 11 | S 10 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 12 | S 10 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
110 | 94 | 151 | 108 | 75 | 80 | 50 | 50 | 52 | 20 | 116 | 133 | 32 | 71 | 41 | 25 | 103 | 113 | 74 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:13PM1.48m | 10:43AM1.51m | 10:58PM1.36m | 11:28AM1.51m | 11:50PM1.23m | 12:22PM1.51m | 00:54AM1.12m | 1:26PM1.51m | 2:14AM1.04m | 2:41PM1.52m | 3:47AM1.04m | 3:58PM1.58m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:25AM0.23m | 4:56PM0.32m | 5:03AM0.31m | 5:53PM0.37m | 5:47AM0.39m | 7:02PM0.42m | 6:42AM0.47m | 8:22PM0.44m | 7:51AM0.54m | 9:49PM0.40m | 9:11AM0.55m | 11:04PM0.32m | |||||||
— | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 16 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 26 | 25 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 29 | 27 | 23 | 17 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 6 | S 11 | S 10 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 12 | S 10 | S 9 |
110 | 74 | 151 | 108 | 75 | 80 | 50 | 50 | 52 | 16 | 116 | 133 | 32 | 71 | 41 | 25 | 103 | 113 | 74 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 15 | S 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 10 | S 7 | E 10 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | ENE 5 | E 11 | SSW 5 | NE 6 | ENE 4 |
77 | 94 | 22 | 9 | 33 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 15 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | ENE 11 | — | ENE 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SSE 13 | SSE 13 | NE 5 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 18 | S 11 | E 9 | E 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 10 | E 10 | SSE 16 |
13 | 22 | — | 20 | 5 | 5 | 17 | 17 | 1 | 18 | 19 | 7 | 23 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 21 | 8 | 48 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | — | — | — | NW 3 | NNW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | W 3 | — | E 2 | — | NW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 2 | — | ESE 3 | NE 5 |
2 | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 2 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 8 | 1 | — | 8 | 37 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 224 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 2 | 271 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Nobbys Reef Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Nobbys Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Nobbys Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Nobbys Reef 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 (Nobbys Reef) 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 Nobbys Reef 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 Nobbys Reef, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Newcastle, consider staying in Newcastle which is 3 km (2 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 31 km (19 miles) away, Port Stephens, Cessnock and Central Coast.











