Surf Forecasts:
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 Type | Time (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 ForecastLight 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 SummaryModerate 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 | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | S 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 12 | SE 7 | SE 10 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
129 | 217 | 176 | 175 | 170 | 78 | 96 | 99 | 102 | 106 | 88 | 117 | 115 | 275 | 108 | 75 | 79 | 29 | 30 | 20 | 12 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | ||||||||
6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | 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 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | SSE 19 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | S 8 | SE 7 | S 11 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 10 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 11 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 |
129 | 70 | 176 | 110 | 170 | 78 | 96 | 99 | 50 | 106 | 55 | 96 | 115 | 275 | 108 | 75 | 2 | 29 | 30 | 20 | 12 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | ENE 10 | SSE 17 | SSE 18 | SSE 18 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | SE 10 | S 8 | ESE 14 | ESE 12 | ESE 10 | — | — | — | E 11 | SE 7 | E 10 | S 11 | S 10 |
14 | 9 | 101 | 102 | 102 | 72 | 81 | 78 | 16 | 34 | 73 | 117 | 94 | — | — | — | 2 | 19 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | S 14 | E 10 | E 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 16 | SSW 13 | S 12 | S 11 | E 9 | S 10 | S 16 | S 15 | — | — | — | E 10 | S 12 | E 9 | E 10 |
17 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 25 | 40 | 21 | 53 | 12 | 23 | 7 | 30 | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 8 | — | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | ESE 7 | — | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 7 | — | NW 2 | NW 3 | WNW 3 |
— | 217 | — | 175 | — | — | — | — | 102 | — | 88 | — | — | — | — | — | 79 | — | 1 | 9 | 7 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 2 | 96 | 125 | 81 | 1 | 44 | 30 | 44 | 44 | 30 | 2 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 172 | 0 | 23 | 155 | 92 |
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.











