Nobbys Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.93° S 151.80° E

Nobbys Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 18 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Nobbys Reef sea temperature is
18.8° C
0.4° 

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 18 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, S swell with 2,106 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period with E 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Nobbys Reef in the next 16 days are 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Mon 20th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 10s
Best Surf 7AM (Fri 24th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 11s
Most Powerful 7AM (Fri 24th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for Nobbys Reef.

So, the next couple of weeks are a real mixed bag. We’ll get some decent sized swell, but the wind is going to be the deciding factor, and it’s not always playing nice. The water temperature is about 66°F, which is pretty normal for this time of year.

Starting off on the 18th of July, we’ve got a 5ft SE swell, but the wind is howling onshore from the SSE at 15 mph, just trashing it. The energy is moderate (260). Not worth it. Sunday the 19th brings a bigger 6ft ESE swell, dropping to 6ft in the afternoon, with a period around 11 seconds – so there’s some real power there (energy is 912 and 733). But the wind is still onshore from the SE. It’s ridable, but you’ll be fighting the wind the whole time.

Now, Monday the 20th of July is the one to circle. We’ve got a 5ft E swell with a solid 11-second period, and the wind is glassy from the east at just 3 mph in the morning. That’s clean, lined-up waves. The combined energy is strong (719). This is the clear standout. The swell direction is east, a little off the reef’s optimum SE, but with that period and glassy conditions, it’s going to be a fantastic session. The afternoon will see the wind pick up to a light cross-onshore, so get it early.

Tuesday the 21st has a smaller 4ft E swell, but the wind is cross-offshore from the north at 6 mph, keeping it clean. The energy is moderate (314). It’s a decent option for a fun session, but not the main event.

The rest of the week into the next week is up and down. Wednesday and Thursday have some small, weak swells with shifting wind. There’s a pulse of 8ft S swell on Friday the 24th of July, but the wind is from the SW at 12 mph, creating a cross-chop. The energy is very strong (1148), but that’s expert territory on a reef, especially with that wind. Not for the faint of heart.

After that, it drops off. We get a few clean, small mornings with glassy or offshore winds, like the 4ft swell on Saturday the 25th, but the energy is only moderate (318). It’s surfable, but nothing to write home about. The 30th of July brings a 4ft SSW swell with a short 6-second period, and the wind is cross-shore. Energy is moderate (297), but the short period means it’ll be weak and lumpy.

The one true standout is Monday morning, the 20th of July. That 5ft east swell, 11-second period, and glassy conditions will be the best we see in this 16-day window. The rest of the run is a mix of onshore junk, small weak waves, or big, powerful swells with bad wind. If you’re an expert, the 24th offers some power, but it’s a gamble. For everyone else, aim for the 20th. There’s a long stretch of poor conditions from the 28th of July onward, with only tiny, unremarkable swells. Stay patient.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sat
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
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
1
2
3
1
2
2
1
2
1
0
1
1
0
0
2
2
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
ESE
7
1.7
E
9
1.9
E
11
1.8
E
10
1.7
E
11
1.6
E
11
1.5
E
10
1.3
E
10
1.1
E
10
1.4
ENE
10
1
ENE
9
0.8
ENE
9
0.7
ENE
9
0.6
ENE
9
0.8
S
6
1.6
S
9
1.8
S
8
2.3
S
10
1.6
S
10
1.5
S
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
186
452
798
635
639
566
495
339
235
348
189
110
84
62
47
377
439
1134
470
414
Wind (km/h)
25
SE
20
SE
20
SE
15
SE
10
ESE
5
E
10
E
10
N
10
N
20
ENE
10
N
15
NW
5
NE
10
WNW
15
W
25
S
25
SSW
20
SW
10
SSE
10
NW
Wind State
on
on
on
on
on
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
on
off
High Tide
11:24PM1.61m
12:13PM1.37m
00:10AM1.45m
1:01PM1.37m
00:56AM1.29m
1:51PM1.36m
1:46AM1.15m
2:44PM1.37m
2:44AM1.04m
3:40PM1.40m
3:53AM0.99m
4:35PM1.45m
Low Tide
5:12PM0.45m
5:58AM0.26m
6:06PM0.52m
6:38AM0.35m
7:03PM0.58m
7:17AM0.43m
8:07PM0.64m
7:57AM0.50m
9:20PM0.66m
8:41AM0.54m
10:35PM0.63m
9:30AM0.57m
11:38PM0.58m
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:52
6:50
6:50
6:50
6:50
6:48
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:05
5:06
5:06
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:08
 mm
1
Temp °C
17
17
17
16
16
15
15
14
16
17
15
18
19
18
16
15
13
13
13
12
Feels °C
13
13
12
13
13
14
13
12
15
14
12
15
16
14
11
9
7
10
10
9
  • 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
How to use the Wavefinder 
submit an eyeball surf report

Quick surf report for Nobbys Reef:

join our community of surf reporters

FREE! Surf-Forecast.com widget for your website

The surf report / weather widget below is available to embed on third party websites free of charge and provides a summary of our Nobbys Reef surf forecast. Simply grab the html code snippet that we provide and paste it into your own site. You can choose your preferred language and metric/imperial units for the surf forecast feed to suit users of your site. Click here to get the code.


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.

Nearest locationNearest