Surf Forecasts:
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 Type | Time (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 ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate 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 | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 7 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | S 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 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) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | — | 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 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 7 | S 8 | SSE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 7 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | E 10 | S 16 | SSW 9 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 42 | 325 | 465 | 242 | 137 | 90 | 83 | 263 | 223 | 86 | 144 | 155 | 17 | 17 | 200 | 53 | 44 | 8 | 5 | 28 | 402 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | ESE 6 | ENE 10 | E 10 | SSW 12 | ENE 10 | — | S 9 |
| kJ | 29 | 28 | 17 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 17 | 17 | 44 | 17 | 17 | 22 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 8 | 52 | 30 | — | 15 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 9 | — | N 4 | — | — | S 16 | S 16 | S 14 | ENE 9 | SSE 19 | SSE 16 | S 15 | — | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 11 | ENE 10 | — | — | S 11 |
| kJ | — | 47 | — | 1 | — | — | 5 | 5 | 16 | 17 | 35 | 51 | 4 | — | 18 | 19 | 10 | 10 | — | — | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | WNW 3 | W 3 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | — | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — |
| kJ | 7 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 64 | — | — | — | — | — | 152 | 405 | — | 121 | 268 | 394 | 553 | 429 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 9 | 44 | 96 | 88 | 241 | 292 | 271 | 259 | 221 | 81 |
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.
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