Surf Forecasts:
Nobbys Reef surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, ESE swell with 265 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with ESE 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Nobbys Reef in the next 16 days are 1.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nobbys Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, looking at the same picture. Let's talk in feet and miles per hour.
It’s a lean spell to start, no two ways about it. From Tuesday the 18th right through to Saturday the 29th of August, the surf is mostly flat, weak, or chopped up. There’s a solid twelve days where the recommendations are pretty much "don't bother." The swell heights are tiny, the periods are short, and the wind is often messing things up. The combined energy reading stays in the double or low triple digits, which is weak.
The one bright spot, the one you circle on the calendar, is the morning of Monday the 31st of August. That’s the session. Early doors, we’re looking at a clean 6ft swell from the SSE with a period of 12 seconds. The wind goes glassy, coming out of the ESE at just 3 mph. The combined energy jumps to 956, which is proper moderate energy. It’ll be clean, with some real power. That 6ft is getting a bit big for beginners though; it’ll be better suited for the advanced crew on this reef. Don’t forget the water is running a bit colder than usual for August, so you’ll want a thicker suit.
Sunday the 30th of August sees a monster 12ft SSE swell with a very long 18-second period, and the energy is off the charts at 10361. But it’s just too big for Nobbys Reef, and the afternoon onshore wind will ruin it. That one’s for the kamikaze crew only.
After that Monday session, things drop back down to smaller, less exciting surf as we roll into September. Tuesday the 1st of September morning looks okay with a glassy 4ft groundswell and combined energy of 325, but the windows are short.
Bottom line: be patient. The one clear standout is the morning of Monday the 31st of August. That’s your shot.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 22°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | E 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 127 | 125 | 92 | 196 | 194 | 64 | 58 | 67 | 20 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 76 | 32 | 46 | 43 | 46 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross | off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 5:52AM1.02m | 5:41PM1.50m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:00AM0.61m | 00:36AM0.38m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 22 | 23 | 18 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 10 | E 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 8 | S 5 | S 9 | E 4 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 |
| kJ | 55 | 125 | 86 | 196 | 194 | 64 | 58 | 67 | 20 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 76 | 9 | 46 | 43 | 46 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 14 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | S 9 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | S 13 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | S 6 | S 6 | ENE 6 | S 9 | SSE 16 | S 8 | ESE 4 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 |
| kJ | 47 | 85 | 92 | 14 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 52 | 32 | 4 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | S 10 | S 9 | — | — | E 11 | — | — | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 7 | S 9 | S 5 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | S 12 | ENE 8 | ESE 4 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 6 | 30 | 26 | — | — | 9 | — | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 25 | 6 | 2 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | — | — | E 4 | NE 5 | — | ENE 6 | — | NW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | — | NW 2 | — |
| kJ | 127 | — | — | 6 | 37 | — | 37 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 224 | 0 | 0 | 136 | 0 | 0 | 95 | 0 | 23 | 90 | 164 | 174 | 310 | 154 | 30 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
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