Surf Forecasts:
Redhead surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, SE swell with 292 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period with ENE 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s 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 1.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Redhead over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – I’ve had a good look at the charts for our stretch of coast, and honestly, we’re in a bit of a flat spell. This 16-day outlook is a tough one. There are no real surfable options on the table for the first week and a half. We’re looking at a long gap of nothing until the very end of the period.
The only spot that even gets a mention is Redhead, a reef break that’s fairly consistent, but it’s not working for us right now. The swell is tiny, mostly under 2 feet, and the period is short, around 8 seconds, which means weak, windswell junk. The combined energy is in the weak zone at just 65 (Wednesday morning), and it’s mostly poor.
For the first week, from Wednesday the 26th of August right through to Monday the 7th of September, it’s a write-off. We’ve got chop, onshore breezes, and tiny waves. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so nothing wild there.
The only glimmer of hope comes right at the tail end. On Monday the 7th of September afternoon, we see a little bump. The swell picks up to 2 feet from the east, with a 10-second period, giving us a combined energy reading of 74. It’s still weak, but the wind goes glassy in the morning and then light offshore from the north-east in the afternoon. That will clean it up nicely. The break is a reef, so it might handle that small east swell better than a beach. The optimum swell direction is from the NE, so that matches. It’s small, but it will be clean. This is the only real standout, and it’s a promise, not a guarantee, given how far out it is.
After that, the 8th of September looks messy again with strong winds. The 9th and 10th of September offer clean conditions but with tiny 1-foot swell. If you’re desperate for a paddle, the 7th afternoon is your best shot. Otherwise, keep the board in the car and wait for the next system.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | S 5 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SE 10 | SE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | SSE 16 | ENE 9 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 49 | 71 | 37 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 28 | 292 | 192 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 0 | 15 | 23 | 35 | 32 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | off | glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 7:03PM1.34m | 7:43AM1.05m | 7:40PM1.40m | 8:16AM1.14m | 8:17PM1.42m | 8:50AM1.21m | 8:55PM1.42m | 9:25AM1.27m | 9:34PM1.37m | 10:01AM1.30m | 10:15PM1.29m | 10:41AM1.32m | 10:58PM1.18m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:34PM0.33m | 1:39AM0.13m | 1:17PM0.27m | 2:11AM0.08m | 1:58PM0.22m | 2:43AM0.07m | 2:40PM0.18m | 3:17AM0.08m | 3:23PM0.17m | 3:51AM0.11m | 4:08PM0.18m | 4:26AM0.16m | 4:57PM0.21m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — |
mm | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 23 | 24 | 21 |
Feels °C | 17 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | S 11 | S 10 |
| kJ | 49 | 51 | 37 | 404 | 348 | 269 | 582 | 487 | 248 | 248 | 292 | 192 | 123 | 232 | 220 | 121 | 138 | 177 | 224 | 114 | 73 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 15 | S 16 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 9 | S 9 | SE 10 | ENE 8 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | ENE 9 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 5 |
| kJ | 6 | 5 | 5 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 145 | 148 | 94 | 14 | 166 | 385 | 191 | 15 | 23 | 35 | 15 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | — | S 11 | S 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | S 15 | S 12 | SSW 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 18 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | S 12 | E 12 | ENE 8 | S 18 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 19 | — | 3 | 18 | 42 | 37 | 17 | 67 | 38 | 28 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 32 | 18 | 16 | 41 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 32 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 5 | SSE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | ENE 4 | — |
| kJ | — | 71 | 191 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 3 | 173 | 32 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 200 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 69 | 9 | 9 | 24 |
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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