Surf Forecasts:
Redhead surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, ESE swell with 226 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Redhead this week:
The surf forecast for Redhead over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Redhead in the next 16 days are 1.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Redhead over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty.
Let’s be real. We’ve got a flat spell coming up for the next couple weeks. The only break on the map is Redhead, and the news isn’t great. If you’re thinking of paddling out, don’t get your hopes up.
From Monday 17 August, it kicks off with rain showers and a cross-on breeze messing up a tiny 4ft ESE swell. The wave energy is weak to moderate (117), but it’s just messy. Tuesday is much the same – same size, same chop.
Wednesday 19 August has a light morning wind and a bit more energy (176), but it’s still cross-on with waves around 2ft. The afternoon pushes up to 4ft but with an onshore breeze slapping it around. Not your day.
Thursday 20 August is your shot. The morning is clean, with a light offshore from the NNW, working with that 3ft ESE swell. The energy is weak (82), so it’s not pumping, but it’s a clean, small wave on a consistent reef. It’s a beginner-friendly wave, and crowds can show up sometimes, but on a Thursday you might have it quiet. Water temp is about average for the season.
After that, it’s a long drop-off. The weekend and the entire second week are tiny – most days under 2ft, with energy readings dropping into the single digits. The winds are all over the place, from onshore to cross, and periods are short, mostly 6 to 8 seconds. The surf just won’t have any energy. There are a few cleaner moments (like Friday 21 August morning or Tuesday 1 September morning) but the swell is too small to be worth a paddle.
Bottom line: hold out for the morning of Thursday 20 August if you want a tiny, clean wave. The rest of the fortnight is a write-off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun night, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 78 | 117 | 106 | 153 | 120 | 127 | 103 | 92 | 226 | 151 | 73 | 77 | 56 | 29 | 20 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross | on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:54PM1.27m | 11:26AM1.23m | 11:36PM1.12m | 12:11PM1.19m | 00:18AM0.98m | 12:58PM1.15m | 1:07AM0.85m | 1:53PM1.11m | 2:10AM0.75m | 2:56PM1.09m | 3:39AM0.70m | 4:02PM1.11m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:14AM0.15m | 5:40PM0.28m | 5:50AM0.23m | 6:34PM0.35m | 6:28AM0.31m | 7:34PM0.41m | 7:08AM0.37m | 8:46PM0.45m | 7:56AM0.43m | 10:07PM0.44m | 8:53AM0.46m | 11:14PM0.39m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — |
mm | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | S 8 | S 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 |
| kJ | 78 | 117 | 106 | 35 | 34 | 127 | 103 | 84 | 226 | 151 | 73 | 77 | 56 | 29 | 20 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | S 9 | S 9 | ESE 11 | S 12 | S 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | S 8 | S 8 | E 11 | E 10 | S 13 | S 12 | SE 7 | SE 7 | S 5 | S 5 | S 5 |
| kJ | 70 | 85 | 78 | 12 | 10 | 55 | 85 | 92 | 12 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 16 | SSW 13 | S 12 | E 9 | SE 14 | S 10 | S 9 | — | E 12 | — | S 14 | — | — | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 |
| kJ | 40 | 21 | 53 | 12 | 2 | 47 | 30 | 26 | — | 3 | — | 4 | — | — | 2 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 153 | 120 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 59 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 30 | 69 | 3 | 69 | 106 | 32 | 0 | 3 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 79 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 186 | 104 | 186 | 176 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Redhead Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Redhead provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Redhead can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Redhead 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 (Redhead) 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 Redhead 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 Redhead, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Newcastle, consider staying in Newcastle which is 12 km (7 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 19 km (12 miles) away, Cessnock, Port Stephens and Central Coast.
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