Surf Forecasts:
Redhead surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 11 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period, ESE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 16 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, SE swell with 574 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 11 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s 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 Saturday (Jul 11) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Redhead in the next 16 days are 2.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Sat 11th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Sat 11th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Thu 16th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Redhead over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Redhead over the next couple weeks.
First off, it’s a slow start. This reef break is fairly consistent, but the first several days are pretty lackluster. Water’s about 66°F, which is normal for this time of year.
The first real chance to paddle out is Saturday, July 11th in the morning. Clear skies, light offshore wind from the northwest at about 6 mph. Swell is 4ft from the southeast with a 9-second period. Combined energy is 371 – moderate. It’s clean and beginner-friendly, but not big. Saturday afternoon is similar: 3ft from the east-southeast, period up to 11 seconds, wind still light offshore at 9 mph. Clean but small.
Sunday the 12th and Monday the 13th are poor. Cross-off winds, swell dropping fast, and by Monday we’re talking barely 0.7ft. Tuesday through Friday the 17th are a total loss – everything from zero swell to onshore winds and rain. Thursday the 16th sees a bump to 8ft but it’s straight onshore from the south-southeast with short period – total chop. That 664 energy is all windswell and no shape.
There’s a long dry spell until Sunday, July 19th morning. Now *this* is the one. 8ft of east swell, 10-second period, light cross-off breeze from the northeast at just 6 mph. Combined energy is 2522 – strong. Excellent conditions, but at that size on a reef, it’s for experts only. The waves will be well-shaped and clean.
Monday the 20th morning is another cracker: 8ft from the east, 12-second period (proper groundswell), light offshore from the northwest at 6 mph. Energy is 1575. That longer period means more power and longer waits between sets, but the waves will be solid. Again, experts only.
Tuesday the 21st and Wednesday the 22nd get wrecked by strong cross-onshore winds, and though the swell holds, it’s messy and lumpy. Thursday the 23rd is marginal at best.
Friday the 24th offers a nice little clean-up: 3ft to 4ft from the east-southeast, 11-second period, light offshore or cross-off breezes. Energy around 293 to 308. Clean, small, good for a fun session on a log.
Saturday the 25th of July looks very good. Morning: 7ft from the southeast, 10-second period, light offshore from the north-northwest at 9 mph. Energy is 820 – solid. Clean, with some punch. The afternoon holds similar with a bit more wind but still offshore.
Sunday the 26th is smaller, 5ft dropping to 5ft, with cross-off winds. Rideable but not a standout.
Best bets: Sunday the 19th of July morning is the highlight – big, clean, powerful. Monday the 20th morning is right behind. Both for experienced surfers. If you’re not at that level, Saturday the 25th is your best call – still solid but more manageable and clean.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 8°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Tue morning). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 9 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 10 | S 21 | S 18 | S 12 | S 9 | S 10 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | E 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 202 | 193 | 261 | 134 | 58 | 32 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 574 | 512 | 554 | 442 | 423 | 375 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 5:32PM1.45m | 6:18AM0.96m | 6:30PM1.53m | 7:19AM0.99m | 7:23PM1.60m | 8:12AM1.03m | 8:14PM1.64m | 9:00AM1.08m | 9:02PM1.64m | 9:47AM1.12m | 9:49PM1.59m | 10:32AM1.14m | 10:35PM1.50m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:39AM0.35m | 00:25AM0.24m | 11:40AM0.33m | 1:24AM0.15m | 12:40PM0.30m | 2:16AM0.07m | 1:37PM0.26m | 3:03AM0.03m | 2:31PM0.24m | 3:49AM0.01m | 3:24PM0.23m | 4:32AM0.03m | 4:16PM0.25m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | |
 | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 18 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 8 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | S 11 | S 7 | S 7 | SSW 5 | — | — | — | ESE 9 | S 14 | S 13 | S 7 | ESE 9 | E 8 |
| kJ | 202 | 115 | 261 | 134 | 58 | 32 | 17 | 9 | 21 | 4 | 4 | 6 | — | — | — | 90 | 15 | 31 | 23 | 423 | 375 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | S 11 | S 10 | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
| kJ | 169 | 193 | 44 | 24 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 26 | 44 | 21 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 16 | S 15 | S 14 | S 12 | SE 8 | S 12 | S 12 | E 10 | S 21 | S 18 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | SSE 18 |
| kJ | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 32 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 2 | WNW 3 | W 3 | W 3 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | S 9 | S 10 | SSE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 9 | S 8 | S 6 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 1752 | 1782 | 765 | 574 | 512 | 554 | 442 | 29 | 78 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 21 | 86 | 119 | 186 | 119 | 10 | 200 | 248 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 84 | 32 | 173 | 3 |
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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