Surf Forecasts:
Redhead surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, SE swell with 128 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s 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 0.9m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 11s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Redhead over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, lean in close, folks. Rusty here with the straight goods. The 16-day picture is a flat, frustrating one, and I’m not going to sugarcoat it. There’s not a single standout session in the whole forecast. The whole thing is a long, drawn-out stretch of weak, small waves.
The only real chance to even get a board wet is on Sunday, August 30th, in the morning at Redhead (reef). The swell is a tiny 3 feet from the southeast, with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy is a moderate 142, so there’s a little bit of push, but it’s nothing to write home about. The wind is glassy, which is a big plus—it’ll be clean. But the rating is poor, so it’s just a "maybe catch a few small ones" type of day. The water temp is about 64°, which is pretty average for this time of year.
After that, it’s a total blank. From Monday, August 31st, all the way through to Saturday, September 12th, the swell drops to a measly 1 foot or less, with combined energy often in the single digits or low teens. It’s a proper flat spell. The wind is occasionally offshore and clean, but there’s simply no wave energy to work with. You’ll see entries with 0.3 feet and energy of 2 – that’s barely a ripple. It’s not worth getting in the water.
The only break on the map is Redhead, and it’s a reef that’s fairly consistent but not doing anything for us. The optimum swell direction is from the northeast, but the swells we’re seeing are mostly from the east or southeast, so it’s not hitting the spot. The period is short (8-11 seconds), meaning the waves lack shape and power. Honestly, with the wind blowing strong at times and the waves so small, this setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer for several days in there.
There’s a long gap of no real surf from Monday, August 31st, right through to the end of the forecast on September 12th. It’s a blank run. For an area like this, that’s not totally unusual, but it’s a tough one. Forecasts can change, but right now, there’s nothing on the horizon.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 13 | 25 | 13 | 28 | 28 | 16 | 128 | 113 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 22 | 21 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 18 | 18 | 19 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 11:25AM1.31m | 11:47PM1.06m | 12:16PM1.29m | 00:46AM0.93m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 5:04AM0.23m | 5:53PM0.26m | 5:47AM0.30m | 6:59PM0.31m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 23 | 24 | 19 | 25 | 27 | 21 | 28 | 29 | 23 |
Feels °C | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 22 | 25 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 11 |
| kJ | 679 | 478 | 312 | 269 | 485 | 203 | 91 | 123 | 293 | 196 | 131 | 138 | 209 | 198 | 149 | 74 | 50 | 31 | 20 | 18 | 23 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 8 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | S 16 | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 10 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 104 | 128 | 113 | 57 | 153 | 240 | 129 | 22 | 21 | 9 | 33 | 33 | 30 | 18 | 17 | 19 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | ENE 8 | S 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | — | — | ENE 10 | NE 5 | SSE 13 | ENE 5 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | S 17 |
| kJ | 60 | 25 | 39 | 28 | 28 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | — | — | 33 | 1 | 18 | 2 | 17 | 15 | 24 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | — | — | NNE 3 | — | NE 3 | WNW 2 | NW 3 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | NW 4 | NW 4 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 522 | — | — | 3 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 11 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 3 | 3 | 30 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 69 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 34 | 9 | 9 |
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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