Surf Forecasts:
Nobbys Reef surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 478 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period with SSE 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 Saturday (Aug 29) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. 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 1.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 4PM. 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 Thursday (Sep 03) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nobbys Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ down at Nobbys Reef. It’s a tricky little reef setup, only for the advanced crew, and you gotta know it’s inconsistent – it doesn’t fire all the time. But when it does, and the wind plays nice, it’s a gem. The water’s sitting at a pretty normal 64°, nothing wild for this time of year.
Kicking off on Friday 28 August morning, we’ve got a clean 6ft SSE swell with a solid 11-second period. That’s a nice groundswell, and with a light 3 mph offshore from the NW, the lineup is looking glassy. The combined energy is moderate at 752 – there’s some push behind it. This is the standout of the whole run. Friday morning is your window. But by the afternoon, the wind swings onshore from the SE at 9 mph and the quality drops fast.
Saturday 29 August is a write-off – cross-on winds and poor conditions all day. Sunday 30 August morning, however, we get a glass-off with an offshore breeze and a small but clean 3ft SE swell. Tiny, but if you’re keen on a longboard and some empty lineups, it’s worth a paddle. Crowds are sometimes here, so you might have it to yourself.
Monday 31 August morning brings another glassy window, 4ft from the S at 8 seconds. That short period means it’s a little weak, but with clean conditions, it’s rideable.
Tuesday 1 September morning is clean again, 3ft S swell with a moderate offshore. It’s small but workable. Wednesday 2 September drops off to 2ft and then 2ft – ordinary but clean. From Wednesday 3 September onward, the swell dies right down, staying below 2ft for days. There’s a long flat spell from Wednesday through to the following Sunday 7 September.
Then on Monday 7 September morning, we see a jump to 6ft from the S, 11-second period, but with a fresh 19 mph cross-off wind. It’s big, messy, and for an exposed reef like this, it’s going to be a battle. The combined energy hits 666 (moderate), but the wind spoils it.
Tuesday 8 September is a big one. The morning shows a massive 10ft SSE groundswell with a very long 14-second period – that’s a proper long-range groundswell. The combined energy is strong at 3288. However, for Nobbys Reef, this is far too big. It’s expert-only territory, and even then, the swell direction and size are likely to make it a washing machine. Best left to the brave or the crazy.
Wednesday 9 September stays big, 7ft S swell, but with rain and cross-on winds, it’s not clean. The rest of the week drops in size but stays lumpy with onshore winds.
Honestly, the best session in this whole 16-day window is Friday 28 August morning – clean, solid 6ft, glassy offshore. That’s the one. After that, you’re chasing small glassy windows or dealing with big, messy conditions. The surf forecast is poor for long stretches, which is normal for this inconsistent spot.
Stay sharp, keep an eye on the sky, and don’t be afraid to sit it out.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
679 | 478 | 312 | 269 | 472 | 248 | 106 | 110 | 240 | 161 | 121 | 138 | 101 | 191 | 143 | 98 | 70 | 49 | 52 | 33 | 37 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 8:17PM1.66m | 8:52AM1.41m | 8:54PM1.63m | 9:27AM1.45m | 9:33PM1.57m | 10:03AM1.49m | 10:13PM1.48m | 10:43AM1.51m | 10:58PM1.36m | 11:28AM1.51m | 11:50PM1.23m | 12:22PM1.51m | 00:54AM1.12m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:02PM0.35m | 2:46AM0.15m | 2:42PM0.30m | 3:18AM0.15m | 3:23PM0.28m | 3:50AM0.18m | 4:07PM0.29m | 4:25AM0.23m | 4:56PM0.32m | 5:03AM0.31m | 5:53PM0.37m | 5:47AM0.39m | 7:02PM0.42m | ||||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
— | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 27 | 27 | 21 |
Feels °C | 17 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
679 | 478 | 312 | 269 | 472 | 248 | 91 | 99 | 240 | 161 | 121 | 138 | 101 | 191 | 143 | 98 | 70 | 49 | 52 | 33 | 37 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 8 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | S 15 | SSE 16 | S 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 |
13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 34 | 106 | 110 | 100 | 149 | 116 | 47 | 93 | 37 | 9 | 34 | 33 | 30 | 18 | 19 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | ENE 8 | S 11 | ENE 8 | S 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | E 9 | E 8 | ENE 11 | — | ENE 10 | NE 5 | SSE 13 | S 18 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | ENE 6 |
60 | 25 | 39 | 28 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 22 | — | 33 | 4 | 17 | 6 | 17 | 15 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NNE 3 | NE 3 | WNW 2 | NW 3 | NW 2 | NW 2 | NW 3 | NW 4 | WNW 2 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 30 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 24 | 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.











