Surf Forecasts:
Nobbys Reef surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period, S swell with 267 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s 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 1.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Nobbys Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it.
Right now, and for the next few days, the surf at Nobbys Reef is pretty flat and messy. Swell energy is weak, with readings mostly under 150 (combined energy), and the few waves that do show are small—around 0.7 ft to 4 ft—with poor quality and onshore winds messing things up. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Monday morning the 24th offers a little hope: a clean glassy morning with 3 ft S swell, period around 10 seconds, and light N wind. Combined energy sits at 147—still modest, but it’s the most surfable window so far. The afternoon gets chopped up by stronger ENE wind, so go early if you’re keen.
Wednesday morning the 26th shapes up a bit better: 5 ft NE swell, period 8 seconds, offshore NNW wind, and combined energy jumping to 419. That’s a solid step up in power, and the clean conditions should make it feel a bit punchy on the reef. Still, 8 seconds isn’t super long, so the waves might be a bit sectiony.
Then there’s a gap of average days until Tuesday the 1st of September. That afternoon, we see a glassy, clean window with 6 ft S swell and a short period of 7 seconds. Combined energy hits 402, so there’s push behind it, but that short period means it’ll be a bit lumpy and quick. Still, with light NW wind and glassy surface, it’s probably the best of the run for a laid-back session.
The standout, though, is Friday the 4th of September. In the morning, we’ve got a big 12 ft SSE swell with 8-second period, offshore NNW wind, and combined energy reading a massive 1426. That’s serious power—but it’s also too big for Nobbys Reef. The swell is predicted to be too big for this break, so unless you’re an absolute expert and the tide lines up perfectly, it’s best to give it a miss. The afternoon is similar with 10 ft.
After that, things settle back into messy, smaller waves for the weekend.
If you’re looking for a clean, fun session, Monday morning the 24th or Tuesday afternoon the 1st of September are your best bets. The big Friday swell is more of a watching day at this spot.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 6 | S 9 | S 8 | S 11 | S 15 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4 | 6 | 6 | 267 | 155 | 227 | 127 | 94 | 68 | 58 | 55 | 83 | 73 | 191 | 63 | 49 | 68 | 132 | 75 | 75 | 73 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 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 | 7:46AM1.28m | 7:40PM1.65m | 8:19AM1.35m | 8:17PM1.66m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 1:22PM0.41m | 2:14AM0.17m | 2:02PM0.35m | 2:46AM0.15m | ||||||||
6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 20 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 23 | 22 | 18 |
Feels °C | 18 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 6 | S 11 | S 8 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | S 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
4 | 4 | 3 | 267 | 138 | 227 | 127 | 94 | 32 | 21 | 26 | 83 | 73 | 48 | 63 | 49 | 68 | 132 | 75 | 75 | 73 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 6 | ENE 6 | S 18 | S 15 | ENE 8 | E 5 | SSE 17 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 16 | S 9 | S 16 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 |
2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 155 | 7 | 11 | 28 | 68 | 42 | 24 | 14 | 19 | 9 | 21 | 17 | 47 | 32 | 38 | 38 | 16 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 18 | ENE 9 | — | ENE 8 | — | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | — | SSE 17 | S 8 | S 15 | — | S 4 | S 15 | S 9 | S 12 | S 11 | S 9 |
2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | — | 6 | — | 8 | 15 | — | 57 | 5 | 17 | — | 3 | 17 | 16 | 27 | 23 | 16 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 2 | SE 4 | SE 5 | E 4 | E 4 | NE 5 | ENE 4 | NE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | W 3 | — | NE 8 | SW 2 | SSW 4 | ESE 2 | NNW 2 | WNW 2 | — | W 3 |
— | 1 | 5 | 29 | 12 | 12 | 35 | 22 | 57 | 58 | 55 | 1 | — | 191 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 92 | 241 | 92 | 81 | 81 | 3 | 0 | 276 | 0 | 0 | 81 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.











