Nobbys Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.93° S 151.80° E

Nobbys Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 15 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Nobbys Reef sea temperature is
17.3° C
1.3° 

Nobbys Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Nobbys Reef surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, SE swell with 275 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 7s 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 1.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4PM. 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 3s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Wed 19th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 7s
Best Surf 7AM (Wed 19th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 7s
Most Powerful 4PM (Wed 19th Aug)4ft (1.2m) 10s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nobbys Reef over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G'day, Rusty here, and I've gotta be straight with you—this stretch coming up is a proper mixed bag at Nobbys Reef. For a spot that's exposed and picks up a nice SE swell, we're looking at a long, frustrating wait for the stars to line up. The water's sitting at 63°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don't forget the extra rubber.

The first few days are a write-off. From Saturday the 15th right through the following week, it's mostly poor surf conditions with onshore or cross-onshore winds messing things up. The swell's there, but it's short-period slop, and the wind's just killing it. We're looking at weak to moderate wave energy, nothing over 400, and a lot of it under 200. You'll be scratching your head.

Now, a glimmer of hope. The standout moment in this whole outlook is the morning of Wednesday the 19th. It's not big—just 4ft from the SE—but the wind goes glassy, dead calm, with a clean NW direction. The wave comment says "expect good surf conditions," and that's what we're after. It'll be a short-lived window though, because by the afternoon the E wind picks up and ruins it.

Then we hit another dry spell. Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st offer some tiny, ordinary waves with clean-ish conditions, but you're looking at 3ft to 4ft of weak, short-period energy at best. Not worth paddling out for.

The real kicker comes at the very end of the outlook. Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th of August bring a massive, powerful groundswell from the SSE. The combined energy hits 14754 on Saturday morning and 4771 on Sunday—that's strong to very strong wave energy. The swell is 16ft and 12ft, way too big for this break. The wind and tide are favorable, but the forecast says it's predicted to be too big for Nobbys Reef. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it's a gamble. The period is 13 seconds, so it's a proper groundswell, but at a reef like this, that size is just a washing machine. Beginners, stay well clear. For the rest of us, it's a day to watch from the rocks.

So, overall, the only real standout is that glassy Wednesday morning, the 19th. Everything else is either poor, too small, or too big. If you're patient, the end of the month might offer something for the brave, but it's a long way off and the forecast is less certain. Honestly, it's a tough run for Nobbys.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 10mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
S
9
1.2
SSE
8
1.3
SSE
7
1.5
SSE
6
1.4
SSE
7
0.8
S
8
1
ESE
7
1
ESE
7
1
ESE
7
1.1
SE
7
0.9
ESE
7
0.7
ESE
12
1.1
SE
7
1.2
SE
10
1
ESE
7
0.9
ESE
7
0.9
ESE
7
0.6
E
6
0.6
E
6
0.5
E
6
0.4
E
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
129
217
176
175
170
78
96
99
102
106
88
117
115
275
108
75
79
29
30
20
12
Wind (km/h)
10
SSE
15
SSE
15
SSW
20
SE
15
SE
15
ESE
15
SE
15
ESE
10
E
10
ESE
15
ESE
15
ENE
5
ENE
10
ENE
10
N
10
NNW
20
ENE
10
N
10
W
15
NW
20
WNW
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-off
off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
High Tide
10:08AM1.45m
10:14PM1.61m
10:48AM1.45m
10:54PM1.46m
11:30AM1.42m
11:35PM1.30m
12:12PM1.39m
00:16AM1.16m
12:59PM1.36m
1:04AM1.03m
1:52PM1.34m
2:06AM0.94m
2:52PM1.35m
3:30AM0.91m
Low Tide
4:02PM0.29m
4:37AM0.19m
4:49PM0.36m
5:12AM0.28m
5:38PM0.44m
5:46AM0.37m
6:30PM0.53m
6:20AM0.46m
7:31PM0.60m
6:59AM0.54m
8:45PM0.63m
7:47AM0.60m
10:07PM0.62m
rain showers
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:30
6:28
6:28
6:26
6:26
6:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:22
5:23
5:24
5:24
5:25
5:27
5:27
 mm
2
1
2
2
7
3
1
Temp °C
16
16
16
15
15
16
15
16
15
17
16
16
14
16
15
20
19
17
16
15
14
Feels °C
14
13
13
11
12
12
11
13
12
14
13
14
14
14
13
18
15
15
13
12
10
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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