Surf Forecasts:
Redhead surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, NE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 25 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, NE swell with 163 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period with NE 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Redhead in the next 16 days are 1.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Redhead over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for Redhead.
Honestly, mate, it’s a lean stretch. We’ve got a 16-day window but don’t expect much action, especially early on. The first real chance of anything surfable doesn’t show up until Tuesday morning, 25 August, and even then, it’s pretty ordinary. Before that, we’re looking at tiny, weak energy – the combined energy is only 19 to 32 – and short-period windswell. Not worth paddling out for.
Tuesday morning the 25th brings the biggest swell of the whole run: 5ft from the NE, but the period is a short 7 seconds. The combined energy climbs to 210 (moderate) and the wind is light offshore from the N, so it’ll be clean. For a beginner-friendly reef, this is about as good as it gets here, but 5ft might be a touch much for absolute beginners. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no worries there.
From Tuesday afternoon onward, it’s a long, slow drop-off. The swell hangs around the 1ft to 2ft mark with weak energy (mostly under 100) and poor conditions. The wind shifts around a lot – cross, onshore, even a few glassy moments on Saturday morning 29 August and Monday morning 31 August, but the swell is just too small to make anything of it. Crowds at Redhead can pop up sometimes, but with waves this tiny, you’ll likely have it to yourself.
There’s a glimmer of something on Saturday 5 September morning – a long-period groundswell from the SE at 18 seconds and 2ft, with combined energy at 152 (moderate). But the wind is cross-onshore from the SSW, which messes with the surface. Still, that long period means proper energy and shape, and a reef like Redhead can handle it. It’s just a tease though – the swell is small.
By Sunday 6 September morning, we get another small bump: 2ft from the ENE with a 8-second period, light cross-off wind, clean conditions, and combined energy of 61 (weak). Surfable but very ordinary.
The standout here, if you can call it that, is Tuesday morning 25 August – the only time we see a decent-sized, clean wave. Everything else is small, weak, and mostly messy. If you’re desperate, keep an eye on Saturday 5 September for that long-period groundswell, but don’t hold your breath.
Signing off, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NE on Mon afternoon, light winds from the NNE by Tue afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 5 | E 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 22 | 19 | 29 | 29 | 163 | 76 | 94 | 68 | 48 | 37 | 23 | 22 | 40 | 22 | 21 | 13 | 22 | 24 | 26 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross |
High Tide | 5:58AM0.79m | 5:45PM1.21m | 6:36AM0.87m | 6:25PM1.28m | 7:10AM0.96m | 7:03PM1.34m | 7:43AM1.05m | 7:40PM1.40m | 8:16AM1.14m | 8:17PM1.42m | 8:50AM1.21m | 8:55PM1.42m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:00AM0.32m | 10:56AM0.44m | 00:36AM0.25m | 11:49AM0.39m | 1:08AM0.18m | 12:34PM0.33m | 1:39AM0.13m | 1:17PM0.27m | 2:11AM0.08m | 1:58PM0.22m | 2:43AM0.07m | 2:40PM0.18m | 3:17AM0.08m | ||||||
 |  | | |  |  |  |  | |  | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 23 | 21 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 7 | S 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 8 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
| kJ | 231 | 123 | 89 | 29 | 47 | 27 | 94 | 68 | 48 | 171 | 290 | 201 | 133 | 225 | 108 | 200 | 210 | 183 | 188 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | E 5 | SSE 17 | S 10 | S 9 | S 16 | S 9 | S 8 | S 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 12 | ENE 8 | SSE 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 7 | 19 | 28 | 68 | 28 | 20 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 37 | 23 | 22 | 199 | 22 | 167 | 12 | 22 | 24 | 26 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 17 | E 13 | ENE 9 | S 16 | — | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | S 16 | S 16 | SSE 15 | ENE 8 | SSE 14 | — | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 16 |
| kJ | — | 28 | 3 | 8 | 20 | — | 21 | 19 | 5 | 5 | 19 | 43 | 40 | 36 | — | 9 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NW 2 | W 3 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 8 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | E 3 | ENE 4 |
| kJ | 22 | 48 | 29 | 65 | 163 | 76 | 1 | 1 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | 13 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 42 | 9 | 264 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 32 | 3 | 3 | 32 | 3 | 9 | 212 | 24 | 3 | 69 | 42 |
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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