
Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with 2,770 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period with NE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Shelley Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 14) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Shelley Beach in the next 16 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. I’ve had a good look at the setup for Shelley Beach over the next couple weeks, and honestly, it’s a bit of a dry spell to start. The first couple of days—Sunday and Monday—there’s barely a ripple. Swell’s under 1 foot, winds are crossed up, and there’s no push. You’d be better off doing something else.
Tuesday morning is the first thing that’s even surfable, but it’s nothing special. About 2 feet of south swell with a light cross-off breeze, so it’s rideable but pretty average. The energy’s weak—159—and the water temp is sitting around 64°F, which is pretty standard for this time of year, maybe just a touch cooler but nothing to fuss about.
Then things get rowdy midweek. Wednesday and Thursday, the swell pumps up hard—8 to 11 feet—but the wind goes onshore and lumpy. That’s way too much juice for Shelley Beach. It’s a beach break, exposed to the south, and with that much swell and chop, it’s not a good look for a paddleboard. The energy numbers are big—1207 on Wednesday morning and 4137 on Thursday—but that’s just power, not quality. Might be a kite day if anything.
Now, here’s the one to circle: Friday morning, the 18th. Swell drops to a clean 5 feet from the SSE, period around 8 seconds, and the wind goes light cross-off from the NNE—basically glassy. Energy’s moderate at 370, and the surface is clean. That’s your best wave of the whole window, no contest. Shelley Beach (Big Island) will be lining up nicely, and that south swell is right on the mark.
Saturday morning the 19th is a decent backup too—about 3 feet from the SE with a 11-second period, glassy as anything. It’s smaller, but that long period gives it some grunt. Energy’s only 339, but the clean face makes it a fun, relaxed session. Not a standout, but a good one.
After that, it’s mostly rubbish. Sunday and the start of the next week drop right out, with tiny waves and poor winds. There’s a small bump on Monday the 21st—8 feet in the morning but messy—then the afternoon clears a bit to 6 feet with light onshore wind, still not great.
The second week is rough. Tuesday and Wednesday have weak, small surf with cross-onshore wind, and the energy’s low—mostly under 300. There’s a pulse on the 28th with 8 feet from the south, but it’s choppy and onshore, so again, poor quality.
Bottom line: you’ve got one real standout—Friday the 18th morning—and maybe a glassy Saturday if you want small waves. The rest is either too big, too messy, or flat. Shelley Beach is a consistent spot, but the conditions are against us for most of this run. That Friday’s the one. Be there.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Sun night, strong winds from the SSW by Wed morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 22°C on Sat morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Wed afternoon, calm by Sat morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 10 | NE 6 | S 11 | S 11 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | S 7 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
141 | 172 | 121 | 83 | 141 | 41 | 21 | 606 | 1198 | 2770 | 2726 | 2095 | 1021 | 567 | 380 | 343 | 159 | 94 | 101 | 38 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 9:34PM1.38m | 9:57AM1.49m | 10:13PM1.25m | 10:34AM1.46m | 10:54PM1.12m | 11:13AM1.40m | 11:39PM1.01m | 11:59AM1.34m | 00:34AM0.92m | 12:55PM1.27m | 1:48AM0.86m | 2:04PM1.24m | 3:16AM0.87m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:39AM0.19m | 4:15PM0.24m | 4:10AM0.28m | 5:01PM0.31m | 4:42AM0.37m | 5:51PM0.39m | 5:18AM0.46m | 6:50PM0.46m | 6:02AM0.54m | 8:03PM0.50m | 7:03AM0.59m | 9:21PM0.50m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | |
5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | NE 6 | S 11 | S 11 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | — | NE 13 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 |
141 | 91 | 121 | 83 | 62 | 41 | 21 | 8 | 2 | — | 7 | 1555 | 1021 | 567 | 380 | 343 | 159 | 76 | 55 | 38 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | S 10 | ENE 6 | E 13 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | E 14 | E 14 | — | — | E 13 | S 19 | E 13 | E 12 | SSE 18 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 |
13 | 100 | 24 | 12 | 50 | 16 | 14 | 4 | 4 | — | — | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 31 | 82 | 55 | 23 | 28 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 13 | E 13 | E 13 | — | E 12 | E 13 | E 13 | S 16 | ENE 14 | — | — | — | E 13 | S 19 | S 18 | E 12 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | SSE 17 | NE 4 |
17 | 13 | 13 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 20 | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 99 | 94 | 101 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | NE 6 | — | ENE 6 | NE 6 | — | SE 4 | S 7 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 3 | NW 2 |
44 | 172 | — | 30 | 141 | — | 12 | 606 | 1198 | 2770 | 2726 | 2095 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 221 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 11 | 15 | 124 | 791 | 777 | 238 | 158 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Shelley Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Shelley Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Shelley Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Shelley Beach 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 (Shelley Beach) 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 Shelley Beach 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 Shelley Beach, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Newcastle, consider staying in Central Coast which is 20 km (12 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 24 km (15 miles) away, Dee Why, Newcastle and Hornsby.










