Nobbys Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.93° S 151.80° E

Nobbys Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Nobbys Reef sea temperature is
17.4° C
1.1° 

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 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 7s period, S swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, S swell with 890 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period with NE 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s 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 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Thu 20th Aug)5ft (1.6m) 6s
Best Surf 7AM (Wed 26th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 7s
Most Powerful10AM (Wed 26th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 8s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s call it like it is—this outlook is about as exciting as watching paint dry. We’ve got a long, flat, and messy run ahead. The only real blip of hope is on Wednesday the 26th, and even that one’s got its own issues. Before that, you’re looking at knee-high slop and onshore chop. Don’t even bother waxing up for the weekend.

The first few days are a total write-off. Thursday the 20th has a weak 2ft ENE swell, but it’s cross-shore and bumpy, with no push behind it. Friday the 21st is clean but tiny—2ft at best, and the energy is basically nothing. Saturday the 22nd is just sad, with 0.7ft waves and zero power. Sunday the 23rd bumps up slightly to 2-3ft from the south, but the wind goes onshore and it turns to crumble. The start of next week, Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th, is slightly cleaner with a light offshore breeze on Tuesday morning, but the waves are still under 3ft and weak. It’s not surf, it’s just moving water.

Now, the one standout in this whole famine is Wednesday the 26th. The swell jumps to 8ft overnight, with the energy meter going deep into the red (948). It’s a south swell, but it’s got a short period of 8 seconds—wind swell, so it’ll have some punch but won’t be the cleanest lines. The wind is offshore and fresh from the WNW at 30 km/h, which will keep the faces tidy and the take-offs steep. This is the biggest and most powerful day of the whole run. But at 8ft plus, this is for experienced surfers only—leave the foam boards at home. It’ll be a proper handful, and with that short period, it could be a bit lumpy or dumpy. There’s also a chance of light rain in the afternoon. Still, if you’re an advanced surfer and you want the only real wave of the fortnight, this is your window. The swell drops back to 3ft on Thursday the 27th, and the energy fades out after that.

After the 26th, it’s back to small, weak, and inconsistent. The end of August and the first days of September are all under 3ft, with the energy rarely getting above 200. The 30th and 31st have south swells with longer periods (16s and 13s), but the wind is onshore and cross-onshore, making it a mess. The 1st of September is glassy in the morning, but it’s only 2ft and weak. The 2nd is slightly better but still tiny, and by the 3rd and 4th, there’s a touch of offshore wind but the swell is barely ankle-snapper at 1ft.

So, the long and the short of it is: don’t look at the cams for the next ten days. Wait for Wednesday the 26th. That’s your shot. Everything else is a whole lot of nothing. There’s a better pulse due in the second week, but it’s a long-range call and the models are only half-sure on that one. Keep it in the back of your mind, but don’t book the week off for it.

Until next time, I’m Rusty. Stay patient.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 24°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Thu
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
ESE
7
0.9
E
6
0.5
E
6
0.4
ENE
6
0.3
ENE
6
0.2
ENE
6
0.2
S
9
0.6
S
3
0.5
S
11
0.8
S
10
0.7
S
10
0.8
S
10
0.7
S
10
0.7
S
10
0.9
NE
6
0.6
ENE
9
0.8
ENE
8
2.5
S
8
2.2
S
8
1.5
S
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
39
68
20
13
7
4
6
8
56
113
108
125
100
94
61
62
69
890
708
301
Wind (km/h)
20
NE
10
NNW
15
NW
25
NW
20
NW
10
WNW
10
SE
15
SW
5
SSW
15
ESE
15
NNE
10
N
15
ENE
10
N
10
N
15
NNW
10
N
30
WNW
25
W
20
W
Wind State
cross
cross-off
off
off
off
off
on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
2:06AM0.94m
2:52PM1.35m
3:30AM0.91m
3:55PM1.38m
4:54AM0.95m
4:52PM1.43m
5:52AM1.02m
5:41PM1.50m
6:35AM1.11m
6:23PM1.57m
7:12AM1.20m
7:02PM1.62m
Low Tide
8:45PM0.63m
7:47AM0.60m
10:07PM0.62m
8:49AM0.64m
11:13PM0.55m
9:57AM0.64m
11:59PM0.47m
11:00AM0.61m
00:36AM0.38m
11:53AM0.55m
1:10AM0.29m
12:39PM0.48m
1:42AM0.22m
cloud
part cloud
cloud
cloud
cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:22
6:22
6:20
6:20
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:27
5:27
5:28
5:29
5:29
5:30
5:30
 mm
7
2
1
Temp °C
21
19
18
18
16
20
19
17
16
17
16
19
21
19
24
22
18
17
15
12
Feels °C
17
16
15
13
12
18
17
16
14
15
14
18
19
17
22
20
17
11
9
6
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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