Surf Forecasts:
Redhead surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, NE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, NE swell with 308 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. 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 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) 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 1.2m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Redhead over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down the sixteen-day stretch at Redhead in feet and miles per hour.
It’s a reef break, pretty exposed, and needs the right direction to get good. The ideal swell is from the north-east. Right off the bat, there's a big dry spell. For nearly a whole week, we’re looking at flat to tiny, junky surf. Waves from 0.6ft to 2ft with short, weak periods of 4 to 6 seconds. The energy is tiny, all reading under 100. The wind is mostly onshore or side-shore, making it a total mess. Not worth paddling out for.
Then, on Wednesday, August 26th, the morning finally delivers. The swell comes up to a clean 5ft from the NE with an 8-second period. The energy reading jumps to 388 (moderate), and the wind is a light offshore from the NNW giving us smooth, clean faces. This is the one window to lock in. The reef should handle that NE direction well. The water temp is normal for the season. It’s a good size for most and will be the best waves of the whole forecast. Expect company if the break gets busy.
After that, it’s a quick drop. Thursday and Friday are back to tiny 2ft to 3ft waves with poor energy. The wind gets light but the swell just disappears. Then we get rain and onshore breezes for a few days straight.
The second week is mostly a bust. September 1st has a glassy, clean morning with tiny 2ft surf, but the energy is still weak (around 60-84). Clean but barely a wave. Then a strong southerly wind on September 2nd blows out a weak 4ft swell, making it more of a kiteboarding day. The rest of the run stays small and average.
Bottom line: for the full sixteen days, there is one clear winner: Wednesday, August 26th morning. Snag that window for the cleanest, most fun waves. The rest, you might as well stare at the horizon.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | SE 4 | SE 5 | ENE 6 | E 4 | E 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 8 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 28 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 31 | 19 | 20 | 55 | 94 | 308 | 45 | 49 | 50 | 73 | 103 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | on | cross | cross | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 3:39AM0.70m | 4:02PM1.11m | 5:05AM0.73m | 4:58PM1.15m | 5:58AM0.79m | 5:45PM1.21m | 6:36AM0.87m | 6:25PM1.28m | 7:10AM0.96m | 7:03PM1.34m | 7:43AM1.05m | 7:40PM1.40m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:07PM0.44m | 8:53AM0.46m | 11:14PM0.39m | 9:56AM0.46m | 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 | ||||||
 |  | |  |  | |  | | | | |  |  |  |  | | | | | |
 | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 11 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 7 | S 11 | SSE 8 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 5 | S 9 | S 9 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 8 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 267 | 184 | 227 | 130 | 92 | 19 | 41 | 40 | 94 | 80 | 45 | 49 | 50 | 73 | 103 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | S 9 | S 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 15 | ENE 8 | E 5 | SSE 17 | S 10 | ENE 6 | SSE 16 | S 9 | S 8 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 159 | 7 | 11 | 28 | 66 | 20 | 25 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 21 | 17 | 17 | 28 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SE 7 | S 6 | S 9 | S 18 | E 9 | — | ENE 8 | — | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | — | SSE 16 | S 16 | S 15 | — | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 |
| kJ | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 2 | — | 6 | — | 8 | 8 | — | 53 | 19 | 5 | — | 4 | 16 | 32 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | — | — | SE 4 | SE 5 | ENE 6 | E 4 | NE 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | — | ENE 6 | — | NE 8 | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | NW 2 |
| kJ | 5 | — | — | 5 | 28 | 4 | 12 | 37 | 31 | 32 | — | 55 | — | 308 | — | 2 | 3 | 7 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 176 | 103 | 253 | 104 | 42 | 69 | 9 | 9 | 264 | 9 | 9 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
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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