
Surf Forecasts:
Nobbys Reef surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period, SSE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, SE swell with 785 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s 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 01) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 7s. 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 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 02) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nobbys Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, I'm Rusty, and here's the lowdown on what's coming for our local break. This one's a slow burner, so don't rush out the door just yet.
The only spot in the game is Nobbys Reef, a tricky reef break that's for advanced surfers only and doesn't break all that often. When it does, it can get busy. The water's about 64° right now, which is normal for the season.
Let's start with Friday the 31st. It's a mess. A 7ft south swell is rolling in, but the wind is a cross-shore at 12 mph, and the wave energy is strong (1423). It's just choppy and not worth it. The afternoon is cross-on and still ugly.
Saturday the 1st of August looks a bit better. The morning has a 5ft swell from the SSE, a light cross-offshore breeze at 6 mph, and clean conditions. The energy drops to moderate (404). It's surfable, but nothing special.
Sunday the 2nd of August is the highlight of the first week. The morning brings a 5ft SSE swell with a 13-second period – that's proper groundswell with some punch. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the NNW, making it clean. The energy is moderate (905). This is a solid day for an advanced crew, but that long period might make the reef a bit tricky.
After that, the swell drops off. Monday the 3rd has a 4ft swell, and by Tuesday the 4th, we're down to 1ft. There's a big gap from Wednesday the 5th through to Thursday the 14th of August. You'll see a few small bumps in there, but the wind is all over the place, the energy is weak, and the forecasts are poor. It's a quiet stretch.
Now, for the big one. On Saturday the 15th of August, we've got a 16ft swell from the SSE with a 11-second period. The wave energy is insane at 5543. The morning wind is light and offshore from the NNW, so it's clean. But 16ft is huge – way over 8ft, so this is expert-only territory. The forecast even says it's too big for this break. The afternoon is 13ft with a cross-shore wind. This is a long-range forecast, so it's a maybe, but if it holds, it's a monster.
So, the best bet is Sunday the 2nd of August – clean, 5ft, and that long-period groundswell. The wildcard is the 15th of August, but that's for the brave. The rest is a washout.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 7 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
867 | 725 | 495 | 400 | 351 | 280 | 725 | 549 | 542 | 258 | 191 | 53 | 15 | 9 | 35 | 255 | 526 | 356 | 276 | 263 | 227 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | off |
High Tide | 9:21PM1.70m | 10:05AM1.34m | 9:59PM1.64m | 10:41AM1.36m | 10:37PM1.56m | 11:20AM1.38m | 11:20PM1.46m | 12:03PM1.40m | 00:08AM1.34m | 12:54PM1.43m | 1:05AM1.22m | 1:53PM1.46m | 2:17AM1.12m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:02PM0.43m | 3:59AM0.19m | 3:43PM0.42m | 4:33AM0.21m | 4:27PM0.43m | 5:07AM0.25m | 5:14PM0.45m | 5:44AM0.30m | 6:09PM0.48m | 6:25AM0.36m | 7:14PM0.50m | 7:13AM0.42m | 8:30PM0.51m | ||||||||
6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
— | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 7 | SSW 6 | S 6 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 |
552 | 527 | 495 | 400 | 351 | 280 | 725 | 549 | 542 | 258 | 191 | 53 | 10 | 7 | 25 | 255 | 526 | 356 | 276 | 263 | 227 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 7 | NE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | SE 13 | SE 15 | SE 14 | S 21 | S 21 | S 20 | ESE 8 | SE 10 | ESE 7 | S 10 | E 8 | E 9 | E 8 | E 8 | E 8 | E 7 |
1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 183 | 174 | 221 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 19 | 15 | 9 | 35 | 4 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 18 | E 17 | S 21 | E 16 | E 16 | E 15 | S 19 | SSW 6 | SSE 10 | E 8 | E 10 | E 18 | E 8 | E 12 | E 12 | E 16 |
3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | NNW 2 | W 3 | NW 3 | W 2 | — | W 2 | W 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
867 | 725 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 81 | 0 | 0 | 81 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 174 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 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.











