Surf Forecasts:
Redhead surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period, E swell with 843 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period with E 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Redhead in the next 16 days are 1.9m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 9s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Redhead over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. I gotta be straight with you – this 16‑day window for Redhead is pretty much a write‑off. We’ve got a few days with some swell energy, like Sunday the 19th seeing a 6ft easterly swell with moderate energy (798), but the wind is onshore from the SE at 12 mph, making it messy. Then it just drops off. Monday the 20th still has some size but cross‑shore winds and marginal conditions. By Tuesday the 21st it’s down to 4ft and only a 1/10 rating. Wednesday the 22nd morning sees a bit of offshore wind from the NW at 12 mph, but the swell’s only 3ft – too small for any real fun. And it gets smaller from there. From Thursday the 24th onward, we’re looking at ankle‑biters, 1.0ft or less, with clean conditions here and there but no power. The combined energy dips to 6, 4, even 1 later. There’s a long‑period swell showing up at the end of July and into August – 15‑21 second periods – but the swell height is just 0.3‑0.7ft, so it’s flat. The wind stays cross or onshore, no good. So honestly, there’s not a single standout session in this whole outlook. If you’re a beginner looking for some gentle waves, this ain’t it. The reef needs a decent push. We’ll have to wait for a better pattern.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat night, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Thu afternoon, light winds from the NE by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 463 | 798 | 637 | 627 | 545 | 424 | 346 | 240 | 196 | 189 | 110 | 84 | 82 | 61 | 43 | 29 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | off | cross-off | cross | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:20PM1.38m | 12:05PM1.16m | 00:05AM1.24m | 12:54PM1.16m | 00:53AM1.09m | 1:47PM1.15m | 1:46AM0.96m | 2:45PM1.15m | 2:48AM0.85m | 3:47PM1.16m | 4:05AM0.78m | 4:45PM1.20m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:55AM0.14m | 6:03PM0.35m | 6:36AM0.21m | 7:01PM0.41m | 7:17AM0.28m | 8:06PM0.46m | 8:00AM0.34m | 9:19PM0.47m | 8:46AM0.38m | 10:37PM0.45m | 9:36AM0.40m | 11:43PM0.40m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 |
| kJ | 24 | 798 | 637 | 627 | 545 | 424 | 346 | 240 | 196 | 189 | 110 | 84 | 82 | 61 | 43 | 413 | 422 | 258 | 160 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 6 | S 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 70 | 102 | 87 | 125 | 144 | 139 | 85 | 56 | 35 | 31 | 17 | 18 | 9 | 17 | 8 | 29 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | S 8 | S 8 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 15 | SE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 15 | SSE 14 | S 12 | WNW 3 | — | S 10 | E 9 | SE 8 | SE 7 | E 7 | S 21 |
| kJ | 63 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 2 | NE 4 | NW 3 | — | WSW 2 | SSW 6 | S 6 | S 9 | — | — | NW 2 |
| kJ | 463 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 26 | 2 | — | 1 | 45 | 36 | 586 | — | — | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 78 | 84 | 84 | 3 | 12 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 286 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 78 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 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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