Surf Forecasts:
Redhead surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period, ENE swell with 33 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Redhead this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Redhead in the next 16 days are 0.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 11s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Redhead over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's get into it. Redhead, it's a reef setup, fairly consistent, and it loves a good NE swell. Water temp is sitting right on 65°, which is pretty much spot on for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Right now, it's a slow start. Monday the 31st is a total write-off. We're looking at a tiny 1 foot swell with a super short period and onshore winds. It's a no-go. Tuesday the 1st and Wednesday the 2nd aren't much better. The swell is still tiny, barely 1 foot to 1 feet, but at least we get some clean, offshore wind. The energy is weak (16 to 39 combined energy), so you're really just fighting for a knee-high dribble. Thursday the 3rd through to Sunday the 14th of September is a long, painful stretch of tiny, weak surf. The swell barely pushes 2 feet, and when it does, the wind is often a mess. There's a period with a massive 37 mph southerly gale that just destroys everything. The energy on the 10th of September jumps to 223, but it's a 4 foot onshore slop. Honestly, that's more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session.
The one bright spot in this whole 16-day window finally shows up on Monday the 15th of September. It's not a big swell, only 2 feet, but the morning is glassy. The wind is a light southerly, barely a breath. The energy is moderate (94), and the period is a middling 8 seconds. It's not going to be pumping, but it'll be the cleanest, most surfable wave we've seen in two weeks. The score is a 1 out of 10, but that's the best on offer. For a beginner-friendly reef, this is your only chance to get a few little runners. The afternoon gets a bit lumpy again, so hit the dawn patrol.
So, honestly, it's a pretty dry run. The first two weeks are mostly a bust. The best bet is that Monday the 15th of September morning. It's not a standout in the grand scheme, but it's the standout here because it's the only time the conditions line up for a clean, glassy session.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sat afternoon, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 4 | E 9 | E 9 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 16 | 16 | 13 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 33 | 33 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:01AM1.30m | 10:15PM1.29m | 10:41AM1.32m | 10:58PM1.18m | 11:25AM1.31m | 11:47PM1.06m | 12:16PM1.29m | 00:46AM0.93m | 1:17PM1.27m | 2:04AM0.84m | 2:32PM1.27m | 3:42AM0.82m | 3:54PM1.30m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:08PM0.18m | 4:26AM0.16m | 4:57PM0.21m | 5:04AM0.23m | 5:53PM0.26m | 5:47AM0.30m | 6:59PM0.31m | 6:38AM0.37m | 8:17PM0.34m | 7:43AM0.43m | 9:43PM0.32m | 9:01AM0.44m | 11:00PM0.26m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 16 | 23 | 25 | 20 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 25 | 24 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 6 | S 12 | S 10 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 12 | SSE 9 | S 8 |
| kJ | 153 | 111 | 110 | 53 | 151 | 108 | 74 | 80 | 50 | 50 | 52 | 15 | 280 | 153 | 66 | 90 | 57 | 25 | 129 | 295 | 63 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | S 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | S 11 | E 9 | E 9 | E 11 | SSE 4 | E 10 | SSE 12 |
| kJ | 131 | 75 | 77 | 94 | 22 | 9 | 33 | 33 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 8 | 7 | 65 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 45 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 9 | ENE 11 | ENE 3 | ENE 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | S 19 | ENE 10 | N 7 | S 18 | ENE 4 | NE 5 | NE 6 | E 6 | E 10 | S 18 | E 10 |
| kJ | 16 | 16 | 13 | 22 | 1 | 20 | 6 | 5 | 17 | 15 | 7 | 18 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 2 | ENE 3 | — | — | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | NW 2 | NW 3 | W 3 | W 3 | — | ENE 2 | — | NW 3 | — | — | — | NNE 7 | ENE 5 |
| kJ | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | 35 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 42 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 212 | 9 | 9 | 69 | 10 | 3 | 259 | 9 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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