
Surf Forecasts:
Nobbys Reef surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, S swell with 1,657 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period with SE 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 Sunday (Jul 12) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. 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 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nobbys Reef over the next 16 days.
Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks. It’s gonna be a bit of a mixed bag, so sit tight.
First up, the only spot we’ve got in the frame is Nobbys Reef, a reef break that’s only for the advanced crew. It’s inconsistent, so when it turns on, it’s a proper treat, but it can also be a total tease. Crowds are possible here, so keep that in mind.
The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing wild there.
We kick off with a bit of a flat spell straight away. Sunday the 12th morning has some waist-high swell (3ft) from the SE with a short period of 10 seconds, but the wind is a moderate offshore from the WNW. The combined energy is weak (162), so it’s not really enough to get excited about. The afternoon drops off even more. Monday and Tuesday are tiny, with barely a ripple. So, the first few days are a miss.
Then things get a bit hairy. Wednesday the 15th sees a big jump in size, but it’s a total mess. The morning has 7ft from the south with a short period, and the wind is a fresh cross-onshore – lumpy and poor. The afternoon pumps up to 10ft (1259 energy), but it’s the same story: strong onshore wind and poor surf. That’s expert-only territory, and even then, it’s not pretty. Thursday the 16th is still big (8ft) and onshore, so no good.
Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th are still on the big side (7ft to 8ft), and while the wind eases a bit, the conditions are marginal at best. The energy is moderate to strong (686 to 1037), but the wind just won’t clean it up. The setup is a reef, so the long-period swell on the 18th (10 seconds) might help, but the cross-onshore wind is a killer.
Now, the standout window. Sunday the 19th morning is the best on offer. The swell is a solid 8ft from the ESE with a long period of 11 seconds, and the wind is a slight air from the north, going cross-offshore. That’s clean, clean, clean. The combined energy is strong (1220), so it’s going to have some punch. This is for experienced surfers only at that size, but the shape and conditions will be excellent. The afternoon is still good, but a bit more cross.
Monday the 20th is great too, with 6ft ESE swell and a clean offshore from the WNW. The energy is moderate (658) and the wind is moderate offshore, so it’ll be a fun, manageable size for advanced crew.
Tuesday the 21st is another standout morning. The swell is 7ft from the ESE with a very long period of 12 seconds, and it’s glassy with a light cross-offshore wind. The energy is very strong (1446). This is proper groundswell, and for a reef break like Nobbys, that’s a dream. The long period might make it a bit straight at times, but on a reef, it’ll be lined up. This is another one for the experts.
The rest of the second week drops off a bit. Wednesday the 22nd is still 5ft (11 sec period) but the wind turns cross-onshore, making it choppy. Thursday the 23rd morning is glassy with 5ft from the ESE, so that’s a nice, clean, smaller option for the experienced surfers. Friday the 24th is clean with offshore winds and 4ft, good for a cruise. The last days of the period are small and fading.
So, to sum it up: the first few days are a flat bust. The middle of the first week is big and blown out. Your best bets are the Sunday the 19th and Tuesday the 21st mornings – that’s where the quality, size, and clean conditions all line up. It’s a waiting game, but when it comes, it’ll be worth it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sun night, calm by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the SW by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Sat 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SSW 8 | S 12 | S 11 | S 8 | S 17 | S 11 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
250 | 134 | 60 | 32 | 22 | 11 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 23 | 470 | 1259 | 1189 | 591 | 333 | 643 | 660 | 581 | 716 | 883 | 898 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 6:15AM1.19m | 6:28PM1.83m | 7:17AM1.23m | 7:23PM1.91m | 8:13AM1.29m | 8:15PM1.95m | 9:04AM1.33m | 9:04PM1.94m | 9:52AM1.37m | 9:52PM1.87m | 10:39AM1.38m | 10:39PM1.76m | 11:26AM1.38m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 00:23AM0.32m | 11:45AM0.42m | 1:21AM0.22m | 12:44PM0.39m | 2:14AM0.14m | 1:41PM0.37m | 3:03AM0.09m | 2:35PM0.36m | 3:50AM0.09m | 3:28PM0.36m | 4:35AM0.12m | 4:20PM0.40m | 5:17AM0.18m | 5:12PM0.45m | |||||||
— | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | |
— | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 13 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 17 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | S 11 | S 8 | S 7 | S 11 | — | — | — | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 18 | ESE 10 |
250 | 134 | 60 | 32 | 22 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 23 | — | — | — | 16 | 4 | 30 | 26 | 25 | 21 | 24 | 898 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 6 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | S 7 | S 11 | S 10 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | — | — | SSE 19 | S 10 | S 6 |
44 | 24 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 36 | 2 | 39 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 14 | — | SE 8 | E 11 | S 12 | SE 8 | E 10 | S 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | SSE 19 |
4 | 4 | — | 3 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 34 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | NW 4 | W 3 | W 4 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | SSW 5 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | S 6 |
1 | 14 | 5 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 470 | 1259 | 1189 | 591 | 333 | 643 | 660 | 581 | 716 | 883 | 66 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 85 | 0 | 125 | 33 | 43 | 107 | 174 | 241 | 42 | 92 | 125 | 96 | 92 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 88 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
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.











