Surf Forecasts:
Redhead surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 11s period, E swell with 1,344 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Redhead this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Redhead in the next 16 days are 2.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.0m 9s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 8ft (2.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Redhead over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s get right into it. This is a tricky stretch for the Redhead reef. The next week and a half is looking pretty ordinary, with a real flat spell from the 14th through the 16th. There’s a gap of about four days with no real surf to speak of, so don’t be in a rush to paddle out.
The highlight here is a pulse of energy arriving around Monday the 20th. That’s the standout window. We’ve got a 6ft SE swell, 10-second period, with light offshore winds from the NNW - that’s clean, lined-up, and will hold shape well on the reef. The water temp is sitting around 66°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so no surprises there. The combined energy is moderate (613), so it’s got some push without being a monster. A good session for intermediate surfers, but the 6ft is a bit much for beginners, so take it easy if you’re just starting out.
The weekend before that, the 19th, sees a bigger swell, 8ft from the east, 11-second period, but the wind is cross-onshore from the ESE, which will mess with the face. The energy is strong (1235), but it’s marginal at best. That’s more of a windswept, lumpy day, and on a reef, that’s a tough paddle and a scratchy ride. Not worth it for most.
Later in the week, the 21st morning drops to 4ft, still clean with a light NW breeze, but the swell is dropping off quickly. After that, it’s back to tiny, poor conditions through the rest of the month. The 23rd and 24th are lucky to see 3ft, and the wind turns onshore again, so it’s a no-go.
So, bottom line: if you’ve got a window, aim for Monday the 20th at Redhead. That’s the cleanest, most fun swell in this whole forecast. The rest is a write-off, but that one morning will be worth it.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu night, min 15°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 10 | S 20 | S 16 | S 11 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | E 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 134 | 76 | 32 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 613 | 554 | 466 | 450 | 471 | 646 | 1207 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:30PM1.53m | 7:19AM0.99m | 7:23PM1.60m | 8:12AM1.03m | 8:14PM1.64m | 9:00AM1.08m | 9:02PM1.64m | 9:47AM1.12m | 9:49PM1.59m | 10:32AM1.14m | 10:35PM1.50m | 11:18AM1.16m | 11:20PM1.38m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:40AM0.33m | 1:24AM0.15m | 12:40PM0.30m | 2:16AM0.07m | 1:37PM0.26m | 3:03AM0.03m | 2:31PM0.24m | 3:49AM0.01m | 3:24PM0.23m | 4:32AM0.03m | 4:16PM0.25m | 5:14AM0.08m | 5:08PM0.29m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | |  |  |  | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 7 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSW 8 | S 7 | S 11 | S 7 | S 7 | S 11 | — | — | — | S 15 | E 9 | ESE 9 | S 6 | ESE 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 18 |
| kJ | 134 | 76 | 32 | 21 | 4 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 21 | — | — | — | 4 | 26 | 613 | 38 | 466 | 25 | 12 | 16 | 113 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSW 6 | ESE 8 | S 12 | SE 8 | S 11 | S 16 | S 4 | — | — | — | — | S 14 | S 12 | S 18 | S 17 | SSE 18 | SSE 19 | SSE 21 | S 9 |
| kJ | 23 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 11 | 6 | 22 | 32 | 36 | 44 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | SW 4 | SE 8 | E 11 | ESE 8 | E 10 | S 20 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 12 | S 18 | S 16 | S 14 | S 10 | S 15 | S 13 |
| kJ | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 26 | 25 | 20 | 16 | 8 | 18 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 3 | W 3 | W 4 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | NW 2 | WSW 3 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | S 7 | ESE 9 | S 6 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | E 9 | E 10 |
| kJ | 8 | 5 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 870 | 1198 | 1217 | 679 | 440 | 91 | 554 | 24 | 450 | 471 | 646 | 1207 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 69 | 10 | 137 | 87 | 54 | 186 | 186 | 488 | 54 | 3 | 84 | 32 | 32 | 248 | 84 | 84 | 78 | 78 | 3 | 78 | 32 |
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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