Surf Forecasts:
Nobbys Reef surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 9s period, E swell with 199 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (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 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m 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 1.1m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nobbys Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Nobbys Reef.
Honestly, looking at the next 16 days, it’s a pretty grim picture for this exposed reef break. We’ve got a long stretch of weak, short-period junk and messy wind. The first real glimmer of something decent doesn’t show up until Wednesday morning the 19th of August, and even then it’s a minor window. The water is sitting at 63°, which is a bit colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a good steamer.
The best of a bad bunch comes on Wednesday morning, the 19th of August. Nobbys Reef will see a tiny 2ft swell from the ESE, but the period jumps to 10 seconds, which gives it a bit more shape. The real winner here is the wind: it’s glassy. That’s a major positive for this spot, and combined with the clear sky, it’ll be clean. Wave energy is weak (186), but it’s the only time things line up. The swell is small, so it’s okay for a range of abilities, but Nobbys is an inconsistent reef, so don’t expect a wave every set. Crowds are possible here.
After that, it’s back to tiny, weak waves and poor wind for days. The next little window pops up on Monday morning, the 24th of August, with a 1ft S swell at 11 seconds, but the wind is offshore from the WNW. Energy is still low (72), but it’ll be clean. Tuesday morning the 25th is forgettable, and then we get a couple of glassy mornings on the 26th of August with 2ft S swell at 11 seconds (energy around 110). It’s surfable, but very ordinary.
The end of the month fires up some energy. By the 28th of August (Friday afternoon), we see a 2ft SSE swell with a very long 15-second period and offshore WNW wind at 16 mph. The combined energy climbs to 223, which is moderate. This is a promising setup for a reef like Nobbys – that long period groundswell will wrap in nicely. It’s rated as “expect good surf conditions.” This is a standout for the second week, but it’s far out, so keep an eye on it. The weekend of the 29th and 30th of August throws up some serious size – 6ft to 10ft from the S – but the wind is a mess: strong cross-shore and cross-onshore winds. The energy is massive (over 900), but it’ll be blown out and lumpy. That is for experts only, and only if you’re desperate for a beatdown.
Overall, the first week is a struggle with tiny swell and average wind. The second week has more energy but is a gamble with the wind. The 28th of August afternoon is the best bet on the horizon.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 22°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 9 | ENE 6 | SSW 5 | SSE 17 | SSE 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
120 | 127 | 125 | 92 | 196 | 169 | 66 | 60 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 96 | 123 | 76 | 118 | 118 | 87 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-on | off | off | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:12PM1.39m | 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 | ||||||||
6:28 | — | — | 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 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 22 | 24 | 19 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 20 | 21 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 11 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 9 | SSE 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
34 | 55 | 125 | 84 | 196 | 169 | 66 | 60 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 123 | 46 | 118 | 118 | 87 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SE 14 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | S 9 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | S 9 | — | ENE 6 | S 10 | SSE 14 | S 10 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | ENE 8 |
10 | 47 | 85 | 92 | 14 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 6 | — | 4 | 31 | 65 | 76 | 3 | 2 | 14 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 15 | S 17 | S 10 | S 9 | — | — | — | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 7 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 17 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | ENE 4 |
9 | 6 | 30 | 26 | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 96 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 5 | — | E 3 | NE 4 | — | ENE 6 | NW 2 | NNW 2 | — | — | — | — | SSW 5 | — | — | E 4 | — | E 4 | — |
120 | 127 | 25 | — | 5 | 26 | — | 48 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | 7 | — | 3 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 75 | 136 | 2 | 0 | 281 | 0 | 0 | 91 | 0 | 23 | 90 | 174 | 179 | 174 | 107 | 30 | 136 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
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.











