Nobbys Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 32.93° S 151.80° E

Nobbys Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 01 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Nobbys Reef sea temperature is
18.2°C
0.2° 

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 1 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 1 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s period, S swell with 327 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m 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 1.1m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1PM (Tue 1st Sep)3ft (0.9m) 11s
Best Surf 1PM (Tue 1st Sep)3ft (0.9m) 11s
Most Powerful 7AM (Mon 7th Sep)3.5ft (1.1m) 12s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’re looking at a pretty quiet run ahead for the most part, with a few little windows of opportunity if you’re keen. The water is sitting at 65°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.

The main spot on the radar is Nobbys Reef, an advanced reef break that’s exposed to the south swell. It’s inconsistent, so you can’t always bank on it, but when it lines up, it’s got some punch.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start. The first few days are pretty ordinary. On Tuesday the 1st and Wednesday the 2nd, we’re looking at small, surfable waves but nothing to write home about. Swell is around 2ft to 3ft from the south, with a period of 10 to 11 seconds. The wind is mostly cross-off or offshore, so it’s clean, but the energy is weak (combined energy around 102 to 189). It’s more of a paddle-and-stretch session than a proper surf.

Thursday the 3rd drops off even more, with poor surf conditions and swell dropping to 2ft. Not worth the wetsuit.

Then, on Friday the 4th, we get a little glimmer. The morning looks glassy, with the swell bumping up to 3ft from the south, period 11 seconds, and the combined energy climbing to 254. That’s moderate energy, and with glassy conditions, it’s the best we’ve seen so far. The afternoon turns cross-shore and a bit choppy, so get in early. This is your first real standout – not a big day, but clean and fun for the advanced crew.

Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th are a mix of offshore and onshore winds, with swell around 2ft to 4ft. The energy is still weak to moderate (62 to 230), but the wind keeps it from being a classic. Sunday morning has onshore wind, so it’s a bit messy.

Monday the 7th has some cross-shore wind and a 4ft south swell, but the energy is picking up (337), and it’s marginal. Not the best.

Looking further ahead, we get a notable spike on Wednesday the 9th, but it’s a messy one. Swell hits 8ft from the south, but with a strong cross-onshore wind at 19 mph, it’s lumpy and poor quality. The energy is very strong (1386), but for a reef break, that’s more of a washing machine than a wave. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The big one, and the true standout of the whole forecast, is Thursday the 10th. The morning looks glassy, with a solid 10ft swell from the SSE, and a very long period of 14 seconds. The combined energy is massive at 2977. This is a proper groundswell, and it’s going to be a powerful, heavy wave at Nobbys Reef. However, it’s predicted to be too big for this break, which is a real shame. It’s only for the absolute experts, and even then, it’s going to be a wild ride. This is a long-range standout, so keep an eye on it, but don’t get your hopes up too much.

After that, the swell drops back down. Friday the 11th has some 5ft swell, but it’s messy with cross-onshore wind. The rest of the second week fades away into small, weak, and often onshore conditions. Saturday the 12th has a bit of offshore wind with 2ft swell, but it’s short period and weak energy.

From the 13th onward, it’s pretty much a write-off. Swell is tiny, periods are short, and the wind is mostly cross-on or onshore. The energy is weak (31 to 83), and the conditions are poor. Not much to get excited about, lads.

So, to wrap it up: your best bet is Friday the 4th for a clean, glassy morning session. If you’re an expert and have a death wish, maybe check Thursday the 10th, but it’s a big one and likely too much for the reef. The rest is mostly small and messy.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
Sunday
6
Monday
7
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
2
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
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
S
11
0.8
S
11
0.7
S
10
0.6
S
10
0.6
S
11
0.5
S
10
0.5
S
10
0.5
S
10
0.5
S
6
1
S
11
0.9
S
9
0.5
S
8
0.6
S
10
0.5
S
10
0.4
S
9
0.8
S
12
1.1
S
10
1
S
9
1.1
S
11
0.9
S
10
0.9
ENE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
94
151
106
74
82
50
50
52
20
235
137
31
72
49
25
190
219
162
284
153
102
Wind (km/h)
15
NNW
15
N
15
NW
25
NW
15
WNW
15
NW
25
NW
20
WSW
10
WSW
5
NNW
15
NE
10
NW
15
NW
25
WNW
10
WSW
10
SSE
15
ESE
15
NE
10
NE
20
ENE
5
NW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
glassy
cross
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
off
High Tide
10:43AM1.51m
10:58PM1.36m
11:28AM1.51m
11:50PM1.23m
12:22PM1.51m
00:54AM1.12m
1:26PM1.51m
2:14AM1.04m
2:41PM1.52m
3:47AM1.04m
3:58PM1.58m
5:08AM1.11m
5:08PM1.65m
Low Tide
4:56PM0.32m
5:03AM0.31m
5:53PM0.37m
5:47AM0.39m
7:02PM0.42m
6:42AM0.47m
8:22PM0.44m
7:51AM0.54m
9:49PM0.40m
9:11AM0.55m
11:04PM0.32m
10:30AM0.51m
00:02AM0.23m
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:11
6:09
6:09
6:07
6:05
6:05
6:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:35
5:35
5:36
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:37
 mm
5
Temp °C
23
24
20
25
26
21
26
25
17
20
20
19
29
27
23
16
17
16
18
22
18
Feels °C
19
20
17
20
22
18
20
20
12
18
16
16
24
22
21
14
13
13
17
20
18
  • 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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