Redhead surf break

Redhead surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 3 am Wednesday 20 May 2026 AEST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Redhead surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Redhead sea temperature is
20.9° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 Sunday (May 24) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.4m and 11s period. 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 2.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (May 23) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (May 20) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Sun 24th May)8ft (2.4m) 11s
Best Surf 1AM (Sun 24th May)8ft (2.4m) 11s
Most Powerful 7PM (Sat 23rd May)8ft (2.5m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Redhead over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 21mm), heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 14°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, strong winds from the S by Mon afternoon).

Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
Saturday
23
Sunday
24
Monday
25
Tuesday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
4
4
4
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
E
10
1.2
E
10
1
E
10
1
E
10
0.9
E
10
0.8
E
10
0.8
E
10
2.2
SE
8
2.5
SE
10
2.5
ESE
10
2.5
ESE
11
2.4
ESE
11
2.3
E
12
2.2
E
12
2.1
E
12
2
E
12
1.7
E
12
1.5
E
11
1.3
E
11
1.2
E
11
1.1
E
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
354
296
202
200
159
118
115
634
1210
1283
1429
1363
1463
1346
1229
1079
752
576
403
344
295
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
25
S
20
SW
30
SSW
35
S
30
SSE
30
SSE
25
SSE
20
SSE
20
SE
10
ENE
10
ENE
5
NNE
5
ESE
5
N
10
SW
35
SSW
30
S
30
SW
50
SSE
50
S
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross
cross-off
glassy
glassy
glassy
cross
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
on
High Tide
11:06AM1.05m
11:04PM1.57m
12:06PM1.02m
00:00AM1.48m
1:10PM1.02m
1:01AM1.39m
2:18PM1.06m
2:06AM1.30m
3:23PM1.13m
3:13AM1.23m
4:19PM1.21m
4:18AM1.18m
5:08PM1.30m
Low Tide
4:31PM0.43m
6:06AM0.20m
5:32PM0.49m
7:03AM0.24m
6:39PM0.53m
8:00AM0.28m
7:52PM0.55m
8:55AM0.31m
9:06PM0.54m
9:46AM0.33m
10:17PM0.50m
10:32AM0.34m
11:20PM0.44m
part cloud
clear
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
mod rain
heavy rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:39
6:39
6:39
6:41
6:41
6:41
6:43
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
4:59
4:59
4:58
4:57
4:57
4:57
4:55
1
2
4
3
1
1
1
5
4
1
11
2
6
35
Temp °C
16
17
17
17
18
18
18
18
18
19
20
19
20
19
18
18
17
16
14
16
16
12
12
12
11
12
14
13
14
14
17
19
18
20
18
17
16
11
11
8
7
7
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2
S
10
1.2
E
10
1.9
S
10
1
E
10
0.9
E
10
0.8
E
10
0.8
E
10
0.2
S
14
2.2
SE
10
2.5
ESE
10
2.5
ESE
11
2.4
ESE
11
2.3
E
12
2.2
E
12
2.1
E
12
2
E
12
1.7
E
12
1.5
E
11
1.3
E
11
1.2
E
11
2.5
S
10
Energy kJ
739
296
697
200
159
118
115
15
970
1283
1429
1363
1463
1346
1229
1079
752
576
403
344
1293
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
E
10
1
E
10
0.1
S
15
0.4
SSW
9
0.1
S
14
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
15
0.1
S
14
0.1
S
12
0.1
S
18
0.2
SSE
16
1.1
E
11
Energy kJ
354
202
4
27
4
6
4
4
3
6
25
295
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
18
Energy kJ
6
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
3
S
10
2.1
S
10
2.4
S
10
2.5
S
9
2.5
S
8
2.2
SSE
8
1.9
SSE
8
2.2
SE
8
2.5
SE
10
0.8
SSW
4
1.6
S
6
2.5
S
8
2.5
S
9
3
S
9
3
S
10
Energy kJ
1446
796
1085
1113
908
539
441
634
1210
21
199
890
1138
1373
1591
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
4
1
4
3
3
2
3
3
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
2
4
4
4
Distance (km)
31
3
3
13
84
32
32
167
167
13
42
0
0
0
0
3
186
13
54
104
104
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle
Rating
(10 max)
4
4
4
1
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
2
4
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia
Rating
(10 max)
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
3
5
4
4
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
7
5
6
9
6
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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