
Surf Forecasts:
Nobbys Reef surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with 2,662 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 20s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s is also forecast. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) 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 0.8m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nobbys Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here.
Right, let’s have a look at what’s going on with Nobbys Reef.
The surf outlook starts off quiet, then gets a bit of a pulse, but honestly, for a spot that’s an exposed reef break for advanced crew only, the conditions are going to be a mixed bag. The water temp is sitting at 65°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first real chance of a wave comes Saturday morning, September 12th. It’s a glassy morning with zero wind—dead calm. The swell is a tiny 2ft from the SSE with a very long period of 19 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, and the combined energy is sitting at a moderate 469. For a reef, that long-period groundswell can wrap in nicely, but on such a small size, it’s going to be more of a longboard or funboard morning. It’s clean and glassy, but tiny. Later that afternoon the wind swings ENE at 20 km/h (12 mph), turning it cross-on and choppy, so the window is tight.
Sunday morning, September 13th is another clean one. Light NNE breeze, cross-off, with 3ft from the SSE at 9 seconds. The energy drops to 200, but it’s clean and surfable for the experienced. Not a standout, but a nice little session if you’re keen.
Now, Monday September 14th and Tuesday September 15th are pretty ordinary—small swell, poor winds, and the energy drops right down to 59 and 35. Not much to write home about.
Then we get a big change. Wednesday September 16th sees a solid pulse of southerly swell pumping in at 12ft, but with a short period of 9–10 seconds. The combined energy rockets up to 1756 and then 2309—strong wave energy. But—and it’s a big but—the wind is howling from the SSW at 40 km/h (25 mph), cross-on and messy. This is serious size, over 8ft, so experts only, and the wind is making it a washing machine. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The same goes for Thursday September 17th: 10ft dropping to 8ft, still cross-on and choppy, energy still high at 1512 and 1007. Not a good call for a clean reef wave.
The next real highlight comes on Friday morning, September 18th. The wind goes offshore from the NW at 10 km/h (6 mph), light and clean. Swell drops to a more manageable 4ft from the S at 8 seconds, with energy of 418. That’s a fun size for the advanced crew, and with offshore wind, Nobbys Reef should line up nicely. This is your pick of the forecast—the standout. It’s a consistent-looking window, but remember this spot is ‘inconsistent’ by nature, so you’ve got to be on it when it’s good.
Saturday morning, September 19th is also worth a mention: a whisper-light WNW breeze, cross-off, with 4ft from the ESE at 11 seconds, energy at 435. Clean again, and that longer period (11 seconds) gives the waves some punch. Another solid option, but the swell direction (ESE) isn’t the optimum SE that Nobbys likes best. Still, it should work.
After that, the second week fades out quickly. Sunday September 20th has a tiny 2ft with glassy conditions but not enough push. From Monday September 21st through to Saturday September 27th, it’s mostly small, poor winds, and weak energy readings (mostly under 100). The exception is Thursday morning, September 24th—a glassy morning with 4ft from the ENE, but a very short period of 6 seconds and energy of 215. It’s clean but the swell is short-period and won’t hold much shape on the reef. After that, it’s tiny and windy through to the end of the outlook.
So, to sum it up: the best bet is Friday morning, September 18th—good offshore wind, a fun 4ft swell, and clean conditions. The other decent window is Saturday morning, September 19th. The big swell mid-week is a no-go due to wind. Rest of the time is small and ordinary.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the NE by Sun afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 11°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Wed morning, light winds from the W by Thu night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 19 | SSE 11 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 11 | NE 6 | S 12 | S 11 | NE 6 | S 10 | SSE 4 | S 6 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
207 | 337 | 154 | 115 | 143 | 102 | 98 | 85 | 85 | 30 | 15 | 264 | 1744 | 2309 | 2199 | 1502 | 994 | 368 | 196 | 339 | 352 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:08PM1.58m | 9:33AM1.54m | 9:47PM1.46m | 10:10AM1.53m | 10:25PM1.32m | 10:48AM1.50m | 11:03PM1.19m | 11:27AM1.46m | 11:44PM1.07m | 12:11PM1.41m | 00:35AM0.98m | 1:02PM1.36m | 1:45AM0.92m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:59PM0.20m | 3:21AM0.17m | 3:43PM0.24m | 3:53AM0.24m | 4:26PM0.31m | 4:24AM0.32m | 5:12PM0.39m | 4:55AM0.41m | 6:01PM0.48m | 5:28AM0.51m | 6:59PM0.55m | 6:08AM0.59m | 8:08PM0.59m | ||||||||
5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | |
— | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 11 | ENE 6 | S 12 | S 11 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | S 9 | ENE 6 | NE 14 | — | E 13 | E 13 | S 19 | S 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 |
181 | 337 | 154 | 115 | 143 | 50 | 98 | 85 | 45 | 29 | 15 | 4 | 8 | — | 3 | 3 | 7 | 368 | 187 | 339 | 352 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SSE 18 | SSE 20 | ENE 5 | SSE 17 | S 10 | ENE 6 | E 12 | SSE 10 | S 10 | ENE 7 | E 14 | E 15 | — | — | NE 13 | E 13 | ESE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 |
81 | 182 | 131 | 7 | 29 | 102 | 10 | 3 | 34 | 30 | 5 | 4 | 4 | — | — | 7 | 3 | 183 | 196 | 133 | 106 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 19 | E 14 | E 13 | SSE 18 | ENE 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 10 | E 12 | — | E 4 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | E 13 | E 13 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 18 |
207 | 15 | 3 | 61 | 17 | 3 | 13 | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 35 | 109 | 102 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 2 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | — | ENE 5 | NE 6 | WNW 3 | SSE 4 | S 6 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | — | — | — | N 4 |
— | 1 | 22 | 17 | 59 | 102 | — | 35 | 85 | 1 | 13 | 264 | 1744 | 2309 | 2199 | 1502 | 994 | — | — | — | 9 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 81 | 0 | 0 | 508 | 2 | 0 | 64 | 0 | 42 | 174 | 174 | 739 | 831 | 293 | 44 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 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.










