Nobbys Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.93° S 151.80° E

Nobbys Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 11 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Nobbys Reef sea temperature is
17.6° C
1.0° 

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 11 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s period, S swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, SE swell with 684 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 11s 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. 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 2.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Wed 12th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 11s
Best Surf 4AM (Wed 12th Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 11s
Most Powerful 7AM (Mon 17th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 8s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down what we've got for the reef.

This 16-day stretch is a real stinker, to be honest. The surf quality is mostly poor thanks to relentless onshore winds, and there are long gaps where you wouldn't even bother looking at the ocean. The first real sniff of anything decent doesn't come until Wednesday the 12th, and after that, you're in for a long, dry spell.

The one standout is the Wednesday morning session on the 12th. We've got a clean 4ft S swell with a period of 10 seconds (273 combined energy), and the wind is blowing offshore from the WNW at 12 mph. That's a great wind direction for Nobbys Reef, so the waves should be holding their shape nicely. It's a tricky reef break for advanced surfers only, and it can be inconsistent, but this is the best window of the whole forecast. The water is running about 64°, which is a touch colder than usual.

After that Wednesday morning, the quality nosedives fast. There's a huge gap from Thursday afternoon the 13th all the way through to Friday morning the 21st of August. That's over a week with nothing but onshore slop. Even when the swell jumps to 6ft on Saturday the 15th with 443 combined energy, the wind is howling from the S at 16 mph, chopping it all up. When the swell hits 7ft on Monday the 17th with 588 combined energy, the 16 mph onshore wind makes it dangerous and ugly—a better bet for kite surfers than anyone with a paddle.

We get a brief, glassy window on Friday morning the 21st. It's clean with a light W wind and a 3ft E swell (176 combined energy). It's surfable, but the conditions are described as ordinary. It's not a standout, just a chance to get a few clean ones.

The one long-range glimmer is on Sunday the 23rd of August. The morning shows a 6ft ENE swell with a 10-second period and a huge 989 combined energy. It'll be powerful, but the cross-shore wind from the SW at 12 mph could make it lumpy. That's one to keep an eye on, but it's too far out to get excited about.

So, if you're going to pick a session, make it Wednesday morning the 12th. After that, keep an eye on the 23rd, but don't hold your breath.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
11
Wednesday
12
Thursday
13
Friday
14
Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
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
1
1
2
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
0.6
S
8
1.1
S
12
1.4
S
11
1.1
S
10
0.9
S
9
0.8
S
8
0.9
S
7
1.3
S
9
1.3
S
8
0.9
SSE
7
1
S
8
1.1
SSE
8
1.3
SSE
7
1.9
SSE
7
1.4
S
7
1.3
SSE
6
1.7
SSE
7
1.9
SE
7
2.1
SE
8
1.9
SE
8
1.9
SE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
42
325
465
242
137
90
83
263
223
86
144
155
152
405
200
121
268
394
553
429
402
Wind (km/h)
25
W
15
WNW
20
W
20
WNW
15
WNW
15
WNW
15
SW
15
SSE
10
SW
5
W
15
ESE
10
S
20
SSE
25
S
15
SE
20
SE
25
SE
25
SE
25
SE
25
ESE
20
ESE
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross
on
cross
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
High Tide
7:13PM1.85m
7:59AM1.33m
8:03PM1.87m
8:44AM1.39m
8:49PM1.83m
9:26AM1.44m
9:32PM1.74m
10:08AM1.45m
10:14PM1.61m
10:48AM1.45m
10:54PM1.46m
11:30AM1.42m
11:35PM1.30m
Low Tide
12:41PM0.36m
1:58AM0.10m
1:36PM0.30m
2:42AM0.06m
2:27PM0.26m
3:22AM0.07m
3:15PM0.26m
4:01AM0.12m
4:02PM0.29m
4:37AM0.19m
4:49PM0.36m
5:12AM0.28m
5:38PM0.44m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:35
6:33
6:33
6:31
6:31
6:30
6:28
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:21
5:21
5:22
5:22
5:22
5:23
5:24
 mm
2
2
1
6
1
2
1
1
Temp °C
19
20
14
18
17
14
15
16
15
15
15
15
15
16
15
15
15
16
16
16
16
Feels °C
13
15
9
13
13
9
12
13
13
13
12
13
10
10
11
11
10
11
11
11
12
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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