
Surf Forecasts:
Nobbys Reef surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, S swell with 1,463 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period with E 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 (Jul 21) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Nobbys Reef in the next 16 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) 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 0.3m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nobbys Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let's have a proper look at what's on the cards for Nobbys Reef over the next couple of weeks.
To be brutally honest, the next week and a half looks pretty grim. We’ve got a real run of messy, blown-out conditions to sit through. There’s a pulse of solid, but raw, south swell arriving on Wednesday the 15th, with waves pushing up to 10 ft and a combined energy of 1463. That’s a lot of juice, but it's getting hammered by a fresh 19 mph south-southwest wind, making it a lumpy, cross-onshore mess. That’s not for paddling; that’s strictly for the tow-in crew or the kites. The swell stays in the 6-7 ft range through Thursday and Friday, but the wind doesn't give us a break, swinging onshore and keeping things choppy and poor. The energy stays moderate, with readings around 465 and 931. There’s a brief window Thursday afternoon with a light 6 mph ESE breeze going straight onshore, but it’s only tipping a marginal 1 out of 10 on the quality scale. Don't get your hopes up.
We finally get a glimmer of hope as we head into the back half of next week. Tuesday the 21st of July is our first real standout. The wind goes light offshore from the north-northwest, and the surf cleans right up. We’re looking at clean, 4 ft waves from the east with a 10-second period, delivering a moderate 329 units of energy. It’s not huge, but it’ll be clean and surfable with that offshore breeze. Wednesday the 22nd morning is also worth a mention, with a glassy 3 ft east swell and a light offshore cross-wind. It’s clean, but small.
Further out, on Saturday the 25th of July, we get a real treat. The morning brings light, variable winds, going glassy, with a tiny 2 ft east swell. The energy is low at 206, but for a reef break like Nobbys, that glassy condition with a 9-second period can be magic if you’ve got the right board. This is a classic "small but perfect" window.
The swell picks up again around Tuesday the 28th of July, with a 5 ft south swell that has a 10-second period, putting out 516 units of energy. The morning looks clean with a light cross-shore wind, so that could be a decent session if the timing works out, but it’s a long way off so keep an eye on it.
Overall, the first week is a write-off. The best bets are the clean, small windows on Tuesday the 21st and Saturday the 25th. The Tuesday morning (21st) with the offshore wind on that 4 ft east swell is the pick of the lot for a proper surf.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 27mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Wed morning, light winds from the ESE by Thu morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri night, min 16°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tue 21 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | S 7 | S 10 | SSE 8 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | SE 6 | SE 6 | E 7 | E 7 | ESE 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
29 | 389 | 1463 | 556 | 447 | 523 | 186 | 88 | 106 | 150 | 111 | 139 | 708 | 900 | 776 | 623 | 434 | 449 | 408 | 284 | 284 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | off | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:04AM1.33m | 9:04PM1.94m | 9:52AM1.37m | 9:52PM1.87m | 10:39AM1.38m | 10:39PM1.76m | 11:26AM1.38m | 11:24PM1.61m | 12:13PM1.37m | 00:10AM1.45m | 1:01PM1.37m | 00:56AM1.29m | 1:51PM1.36m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:03AM0.09m | 2:35PM0.36m | 3:50AM0.09m | 3:28PM0.36m | 4:35AM0.12m | 4:20PM0.40m | 5:17AM0.18m | 5:12PM0.45m | 5:58AM0.26m | 6:06PM0.52m | 6:38AM0.35m | 7:03PM0.58m | 7:17AM0.43m | ||||||||
— | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | |
— | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | |
mm | — | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | S 18 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 8 | S 23 | E 7 | E 7 | S 9 | SSE 18 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
8 | 19 | — | — | 6 | 346 | 186 | 88 | 35 | 10 | 111 | 139 | 27 | 104 | 776 | 623 | 434 | 449 | 408 | 284 | 284 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | — | — | — | S 15 | ESE 6 | SSE 18 | E 8 | S 15 | — | SSE 21 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | S 9 | SSE 17 | SSE 14 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 |
5 | — | — | — | 5 | 37 | 31 | 10 | 18 | — | 43 | 37 | 70 | 13 | 96 | 62 | 113 | 71 | 63 | 37 | 35 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | — | — | — | S 18 | S 18 | E 8 | SSE 17 | S 9 | — | — | — | S 19 | SE 17 | S 9 | S 8 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 14 |
2 | — | — | — | 7 | 25 | 5 | 29 | 13 | — | — | — | 63 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | S 7 | S 10 | SSE 8 | S 7 | S 8 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 6 | ESE 9 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
29 | 389 | 1463 | 556 | 447 | 523 | 53 | 47 | 106 | 150 | 66 | 102 | 708 | 900 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 81 | 125 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 9 | 92 | 44 | 92 | 44 | 185 | 221 | 112 | 139 | 44 | 1 | 30 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 75 |
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.











