Surf Forecasts:
Redhead surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period, ESE swell with 248 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 7s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. 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 1.7m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Redhead over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Alright, to be honest, this is a pretty grim stretch at Redhead. You’re looking at a solid 16-day run with almost nothing to get excited about. There’s a bit of a gap right at the start here, with nothing worth paddling out for.
The first real window where you might even consider a dip is on Thursday the 20th in the morning. For one morning only, you’ll get some glassy conditions. The swell is a tiny 3 feet from the ESE, with a short period of 7 seconds. The combined swell energy is a weak 85. The water is sitting at 63°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year. It’s surfable but very ordinary, and it’ll be clean thanks to that glassy wind. That’s the best on offer for the whole run, and that’s saying something.
Apart from that one morning, the rest of the forecast is a write-off. From now through to Wednesday the 19th, you’ve got poor surf conditions, small weak swells (0.7 feet to 1 foot) and messy onshore or cross-onshore winds. There’s a brief window on Friday the 21st morning with a clean offshore wind, but again the swell is only 2 feet and weak. Into the second week, it stays tiny—nothing over 2 feet—with occasional clean mornings but no energy. You’re looking at a lot of flat days, friend.
Bottom line: Nothing here is worth chasing. The only standout is that Thursday 20th morning session at Redhead, but it’s ankle-snappers with no power. Don’t get your hopes up. Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 151 | 168 | 147 | 175 | 132 | 113 | 170 | 139 | 109 | 96 | 83 | 83 | 79 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:31PM1.49m | 10:03AM1.24m | 10:13PM1.40m | 10:44AM1.25m | 10:54PM1.27m | 11:26AM1.23m | 11:36PM1.12m | 12:11PM1.19m | 00:18AM0.98m | 12:58PM1.15m | 1:07AM0.85m | 1:53PM1.11m | 2:10AM0.75m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:13PM0.14m | 3:59AM0.03m | 4:01PM0.16m | 4:37AM0.09m | 4:50PM0.21m | 5:14AM0.15m | 5:40PM0.28m | 5:50AM0.23m | 6:34PM0.35m | 6:28AM0.31m | 7:34PM0.41m | 7:08AM0.37m | 8:46PM0.45m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 9 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 11 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 8 | S 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 18 | S 7 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 |
| kJ | 225 | 165 | 109 | 169 | 217 | 197 | 149 | 102 | 67 | 85 | 80 | 36 | 31 | 113 | 90 | 139 | 109 | 96 | 83 | 83 | 79 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 19 | SSE 17 | SSE 18 | S 12 | S 11 | S 16 | SSW 13 | S 12 | SE 10 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | — | NE 9 | NE 9 |
| kJ | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 70 | 101 | 102 | 26 | 40 | 21 | 53 | 12 | 14 | 56 | 31 | 24 | 17 | 7 | — | 3 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 19 | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | SSE 19 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | SSE 17 | — | — | ESE 11 | S 12 | ESE 13 | SE 11 | — | S 8 | E 10 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 27 | 55 | 25 | 37 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 59 | — | — | 11 | 24 | 16 | 31 | — | 13 | 7 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | ESE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 230 | 189 | 151 | 168 | 147 | 175 | 132 | — | 170 | — | — | — | — | — | 13 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 30 | 3 | 119 | 209 | 13 | 32 | 259 | 125 | 32 | 13 | 42 | 46 | 124 | 0 | 0 | 409 | 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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