Surf Forecasts:
Nobbys Reef surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, S swell with 2,844 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 20s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s is also forecast. 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nobbys Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here, and I’ve been staring at the charts for our little slice of coastline. It’s going to be a test of patience, so let’s get into it.
Right off the bat, things are looking pretty flat and ordinary. We’ve got a long stretch of unremarkable conditions before anything worth paddling out for shows up. The water temp is sitting around 65°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no shock there.
Our main option is Nobbys Reef. It’s an exposed reef setup that likes swell from the SE, but it’s inconsistent, so you have to pick your moments. The first real glimmer of hope comes on Friday morning, September 18th. We’ve got a clean 4 ft of south swell wrapping in with a light offshore breeze from the NW. The energy is moderate (314), and those conditions will make it look pretty tidy for those who know the break. Crowds are possible, but with the recent flat spell, it might be a bit quieter.
The standout for this entire forecast, though, is Saturday morning, September 19th. This is the one to circle on the calendar. We’re looking at a clean 4 ft swell swinging around to the ESE with a solid 11-second period. That’s a longer-period groundswell, which will bring some proper shape and power. The wind is a clean offshore from the WNW, and the combined energy is pumping at 580 (moderate). It’s going to be the best we see for a while, but remember, a longer-period swell on a reef like this can be a bit more fickle with the sets. Still, if you can get out there Saturday morning, that’s your window.
After that, things drop off again quickly. Sunday morning, September 20th, has a clean but tiny 1 ft, and then we’re looking at a proper lull. There’s a spike of big, messy, cross-onshore junk on Wednesday and Thursday (16th-17th) with 10 ft to 12 ft of short-period swell and brutal wind. That’s kite-surfing territory, not for paddling. That kind of size and chop is only for experts on a good day, and this ain’t a good day.
So, to sum it up: the next week and a half is mostly a write-off. Focus on that Saturday morning, September 19th, at Nobbys Reef for the best chance at a clean, lined-up wave. Everything else is either too small, too messy, or too windy.
Stay patient, and keep an eye on the sky.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri morning, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 11 | NE 6 | S 12 | S 11 | NE 6 | S 10 | S 9 | S 7 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 268 | 154 | 110 | 143 | 102 | 132 | 85 | 75 | 30 | 15 | 349 | 1652 | 2230 | 2375 | 1509 | 1198 | 368 | 191 | 133 | 281 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:08PM1.58m | 9:33AM1.54m | 9:47PM1.46m | 10:10AM1.53m | 10:25PM1.32m | 10:48AM1.50m | 11:03PM1.19m | 11:27AM1.46m | 11:44PM1.07m | 12:11PM1.41m | 00:35AM0.98m | 1:02PM1.36m | 1:45AM0.92m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:21AM0.17m | 3:43PM0.24m | 3:53AM0.24m | 4:26PM0.31m | 4:24AM0.32m | 5:12PM0.39m | 4:55AM0.41m | 6:01PM0.48m | 5:28AM0.51m | 6:59PM0.55m | 6:08AM0.59m | 8:08PM0.59m | ||||||||
 |  | |  | | | | | | |  | |  |  |  | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — |
 | 5:42 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 19 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 11 | ENE 6 | S 12 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | E 14 | E 14 | — | E 13 | E 13 | SSE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 |
| kJ | 268 | 154 | 110 | 143 | 56 | 132 | 17 | 34 | 20 | 11 | 4 | 4 | — | 3 | 3 | 921 | 368 | 191 | 120 | 281 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 18 | SSE 20 | ENE 5 | SSE 17 | S 10 | ENE 6 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | E 14 | ENE 14 | — | — | S 19 | S 19 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | S 8 | S 8 |
| kJ | 182 | 131 | 8 | 29 | 102 | 13 | 85 | 51 | 30 | 15 | 16 | 20 | — | — | 7 | 7 | 114 | 117 | 133 | 78 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 14 | E 13 | SSE 18 | — | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 13 | E 14 | E 9 | — | — | — | — | E 13 | E 13 | S 18 | ESE 10 | SSE 18 |
| kJ | 15 | 3 | 61 | — | 3 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 6 | 33 | 103 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 3 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | — | NE 5 | NE 6 | — | S 4 | S 7 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | — | — | ENE 3 | NNE 4 |
| kJ | 3 | 23 | 22 | 57 | 102 | — | 57 | 75 | — | 12 | 349 | 1652 | 2230 | 2375 | 1509 | 1198 | — | — | 3 | 9 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 81 | 0 | 0 | 508 | 0 | 0 | 81 | 0 | 9 | 174 | 212 | 739 | 831 | 293 | 44 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 |
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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