Surf Forecasts:
Redhead surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, SE swell with 785 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s period with SE 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 (Aug 01) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 6s. 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 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 9s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Redhead over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you—this is a grim run for Redhead. The forecast is basically a wasteland of tiny, messy slop and onshore junk for the vast majority of the next 16 days. There's a whole lot of nothing happening.
The water temp is sitting around 64°, which is a touch below average for this time of year, nothing too wild, just a bit of a chill in the water.
To kick things off, Friday the 31st of July and Saturday the 1st of August are a total write-off. We're looking at flat, choppy conditions with cross-onshore wind. You'd be better off staying in bed.
Sunday the 2nd of August is where it gets interesting—the only real standout in this whole outlook. The morning brings a clean 2ft swell from the SE with light offshore northerly wind. The period is a solid 15 seconds, making it a proper groundswell. The energy is moderate (182). This is your best chance for half-decent, clean lines at Redhead, a reef break. Just a heads up, this spot can get a bit crowded sometimes. If you can get out Sunday morning, that's your window. That afternoon the wind swings onshore and messes it up.
Monday the 3rd of August morning is a follow-up with a bit more size at 4ft from the SE, still with offshore north wind, but the period drops to 11 seconds. It'll be surfable but nothing compared to Sunday morning.
The rest of the first week and into the second week is a bust. There are massive gaps of 3 to 4 days with zero recommendations. You get a few tiny, clean days but the swell is pathetic; 1ft junk. The energy is weak, often dropping below 100 (e.g. 13, 5, 8). There’s a brief tease on the 9th of August with a 3ft SE swell, but the period is a short 8 seconds, so it will be weak and crumbly with only moderate energy (114). Don't get your hopes up.
The last few days from the 11th to the 15th of August see a bump in swell height, hitting 3ft with 12-second periods from the east, giving moderate energy (220), but it's all cross-offshore or onshore wind. The waves will be there, but the quality is shot. It’s frustrating because there’s energy, but the wind is just ruining any chance of a good wave. Honestly, this stretch looks more suited to a kite than a surfboard.
So, grab Sunday morning the 2nd of August if you can. That’s the one. Otherwise, it’s a long, flat wait for things to change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 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) | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 18 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 8 | E 8 | E 10 | E 9 | E 8 | E 12 | E 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 176 | 221 | 593 | 263 | 191 | 54 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 17 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 2 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:20PM1.45m | 10:00AM1.13m | 9:57PM1.42m | 10:36AM1.16m | 10:36PM1.35m | 11:15AM1.19m | 11:18PM1.26m | 11:58AM1.20m | 00:04AM1.15m | 12:47PM1.22m | 00:59AM1.02m | 1:45PM1.23m | 2:08AM0.91m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:59PM0.26m | 3:56AM0.07m | 3:41PM0.26m | 4:30AM0.09m | 4:25PM0.27m | 5:06AM0.13m | 5:13PM0.30m | 5:43AM0.19m | 6:08PM0.34m | 6:24AM0.25m | 7:11PM0.37m | 7:11AM0.31m | 8:25PM0.39m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | |
 | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 20 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 6 | 13 | 15 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 13 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 7 | SSW 6 | S 6 | S 7 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 |
| kJ | 552 | 527 | 495 | 400 | 351 | 280 | 737 | 549 | 593 | 263 | 191 | 54 | 10 | 6 | 24 | 23 | 242 | 249 | 295 | 550 | 421 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | NE 7 | E 7 | SE 13 | SE 15 | SE 14 | S 21 | S 21 | S 20 | E 8 | SE 10 | ESE 7 | E 8 | S 10 | E 10 | E 9 | E 8 | E 12 | E 9 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 183 | 176 | 221 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 29 | 25 | 5 | 6 | 45 | 17 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 12 | E 12 | E 18 | E 17 | S 21 | E 8 | E 16 | E 15 | S 19 | ENE 5 | SSE 10 | E 7 | E 8 | E 18 | E 12 | E 12 | NE 7 | NE 7 |
| kJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NE 4 | NNW 2 | — | NW 3 | W 3 | — | WNW 3 | WNW 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 867 | 725 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 18 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 20 | 9 | 0 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 186 | 271 | 21 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 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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