
Surf Forecasts:
Nobbys Reef surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, SE swell with 479 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. 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 2.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nobbys Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’ve got a look at the next couple of weeks for Nobbys Reef. Let’s get into it.
Right off the bat, the first week is a bit of a struggle. We’ve got some swell, but the wind is mostly messy, and the quality is just not there. Wednesday the 12th is our best early shout, with a morning session offering 4ft of S swell at 10 seconds, and a light WNW offshore breeze. The water is sitting at 64°, which is a touch colder than we’d normally expect this time of year. The combined energy is moderate at best (268). It’s rideable, but you’ll be working for it.
Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th are pretty ordinary. The swell hangs around 3ft, but the wind is all over the place – cross, onshore, and just generally not cooperating. We get a brief moment of glassy conditions Friday morning with 3ft S swell and a period of 7 seconds, but it’s weak and short-lived. The weekend is a write-off. Saturday the 15th through Monday the 17th is all rain showers and onshore winds, with swell bumping up to 5ft on Saturday afternoon, but it’s choppy and ugly. The energy climbs to 470 on Saturday morning, but it’s all windswell and no shape.
We’ve got a dry spell of real quality from the 18th through to the 26th. There are small waves, but the conditions are just average at best. A few mornings with clean offshore winds, like the 22nd and 23rd, but the swell is only 2ft to 3ft. Not enough to get excited about. The energy is low, mostly in the 70-150 range, and it’s just not offering much for paddle surfing.
Then, hold onto your board. Thursday the 27th is the standout. The models are showing a big jump in swell – 10ft of S groundswell with a 10-second period. The wind is light and offshore from the W in the morning, which is a dream. The combined energy is through the roof at 2418. That’s serious power. But here’s the thing: at 10ft, this is an expert-only affair at a reef break. It’s going to be heavy, and the current will be strong. The period is solid, meaning good shape, but it’s a lot of water moving around. The afternoon drops to 8ft but the wind goes onshore, so your window is the morning. It’s a long way out, so keep an eye on it, but this is the one to circle.
Honestly, for the first week, you’re better off waiting. The 27th of August is the only true standout, and it’s for the big dogs only. If you’re a beginner, stay well clear of that day. The rest of the week after that is a slow fade back to small, clean but weak conditions.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | S 8 | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SE 7 | E 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
237 | 134 | 90 | 147 | 196 | 283 | 86 | 158 | 123 | 297 | 295 | 216 | 149 | 166 | 357 | 161 | 204 | 171 | 180 | 125 | 117 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-off | glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:03PM1.87m | 8:44AM1.39m | 8:49PM1.83m | 9:26AM1.44m | 9:32PM1.74m | 10:08AM1.45m | 10:14PM1.61m | 10:48AM1.45m | 10:54PM1.46m | 11:30AM1.42m | 11:35PM1.30m | 12:12PM1.39m | 00:16AM1.16m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:36PM0.30m | 2:42AM0.06m | 2:27PM0.26m | 3:22AM0.07m | 3:15PM0.26m | 4:01AM0.12m | 4:02PM0.29m | 4:37AM0.19m | 4:49PM0.36m | 5:12AM0.28m | 5:38PM0.44m | 5:46AM0.37m | 6:30PM0.53m | ||||||||
6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
— | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 3 |
Temp °C | 16 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 12 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | ENE 9 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 15 | E 10 | SSE 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | ESE 7 |
237 | 134 | 90 | 106 | 196 | 283 | 86 | 158 | 123 | 121 | 17 | 197 | 149 | 45 | 8 | 120 | 57 | 34 | 21 | 21 | 117 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 19 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | ENE 10 | S 17 | S 9 | SSW 11 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 8 |
31 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 17 | 45 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 35 | 59 | 53 | 20 | 6 | 40 | 41 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 23 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 15 | — | S 16 | S 19 | S 17 | ENE 10 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 19 | S 13 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 12 | S 16 | S 16 | — | SE 10 | E 13 | SE 12 | ESE 10 |
— | 4 | — | 5 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 53 | 25 | 35 | 12 | 18 | 19 | 3 | 21 | 5 | — | 4 | 3 | 6 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | — | W 3 | SSW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | S 9 | SSE 8 | S 7 | — | SSE 7 | SE 7 | E 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — |
1 | — | 3 | 147 | — | — | — | — | — | 297 | 295 | 216 | — | 166 | 357 | 161 | 204 | 171 | 180 | 125 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 417 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 44 | 2 | 44 | 211 | 174 | 286 | 364 | 283 | 96 | 1 | 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.











