
Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 4 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 8 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, SE swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 5 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 13s period, SSE swell with 3,293 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 8 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period with SE 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 Wednesday (Jul 08) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Shelley Beach in the next 16 days are 3.0m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 05) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 8th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sun 5th Jul) | 10ft (3.0m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
G'day, Rusty here. Let's talk about the next couple of weeks.
Look, we gotta wade through some crap to get to the good stuff. It starts off pretty ugly.
The Early Grind
Sunday and Monday, the 5th and 6th of July, are a write-off. There's a big 8 to 10-foot southerly swell, but the wind is howling onshore, making it a lumpy, blown-out mess. The wave energy is high (2350 to 2820), but don't bother paddling out. Tuesday the 7th is the same story – 8 to 11-foot southerly swell with cross-onshore wind, and the energy jumps to 4888. It's a beast, but for kites, not surfers.
Wednesday the 8th is still no good. The swell drops to about 8 feet from the SE, but it's cross-shore and choppy. Leave it.
The Bright Spot
Our first real window comes on Thursday the 9th of July. The morning session at Shelley Beach is looking solid. We've got a clean 6 to 7-foot swell from the SE, and a light cross-offshore westerly wind is on it. The combined wave energy is moderate (837), but that wind makes it glassy and lined up. It'll be clean and a decent size for intermediates. The water temp is about normal for this time of year. The swell has a 10-second period, so it's got some real push. Crowds can happen here, so get in early.
The Late Week Drop-Off
From Thursday afternoon through to Sunday the 12th, it all fades out. Swell drops to 4 to 5 feet. Saturday morning the 11th has a little 4-foot SE swell with a light offshore, but it's pretty ordinary.
Second Week Outlook
The next week is quiet. Monday the 13th and Tuesday the 14th are tiny, with 2 to 3-foot waves. The energy is weak (56 to 220). Tuesday morning is clean with a light offshore, but it's small.
Then we hit a flat spell. Wednesday the 15th and Thursday the 16th are basically flat, with 1 to 4-foot waves and no power at all. A few days of nothing.
The Promising End
The absolute standout for the whole period, if you've got the patience, is Friday the 17th of July. The afternoon session at Shelley Beach is looking like a dream. We've got a solid 5 to 6-foot groundswell from the south, a 13-second period, and it's *glassy* – dead calm. The combined energy climbs to 928. That's a proper, clean, powerful wave. It's a good size for most, and with that long period, it'll be sucking up and offering long lines. Saturday the 18th morning still looks fun with a 4-foot south swell and a moderate offshore wind.
So, a rough start but a stellar finish. Thursday the 9th morning is your first real chance, but Friday the 17th afternoon is the one to circle on the calendar. Hold out for it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Sat night, fresh winds from the SSE by Sun afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue night, min 11°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Sat 11 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 11 | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
119 | 2339 | 1989 | 1975 | 1299 | 1299 | 1293 | 1544 | 2677 | 1848 | 1243 | 1421 | 873 | 825 | 687 | 492 | 446 | 456 | 399 | 230 | 194 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 10:55PM1.46m | 11:55AM1.14m | 11:35PM1.38m | 12:42PM1.19m | 00:21AM1.30m | 1:34PM1.25m | 1:18AM1.20m | 2:29PM1.33m | 2:25AM1.12m | 3:27PM1.43m | 3:41AM1.07m | 4:26PM1.53m | 4:57AM1.05m | 5:23PM1.64m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:41AM0.19m | 5:25PM0.50m | 6:18AM0.20m | 6:23PM0.52m | 6:59AM0.22m | 7:29PM0.53m | 7:46AM0.24m | 8:44PM0.49m | 8:39AM0.27m | 10:00PM0.41m | 9:38AM0.30m | 11:11PM0.30m | 10:38AM0.30m | ||||||||
— | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | |
— | — | 4:58 | — | — | 4:59 | — | — | 4:59 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:00 | |
mm | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 13 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | E 8 | SSE 14 | E 13 | E 14 | E 13 | E 13 | SE 14 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | ESE 13 | SSE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 10 | SE 9 | SE 9 |
119 | 11 | 826 | 13 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 218 | 2211 | 1848 | 1243 | 326 | 873 | 825 | 687 | 492 | 446 | 456 | 399 | 230 | 194 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | — | E 8 | — | NE 8 | E 14 | — | — | — | — | ESE 14 | — | ESE 11 | S 18 | S 21 | S 20 | — | S 19 | S 21 | S 15 | — |
98 | — | 5 | — | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 431 | — | 190 | 6 | 9 | 8 | — | 7 | 8 | 4 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 19 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | — | — | — | — | — |
5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 11 | S 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | — | — | SSE 11 | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | — | WNW 2 | NNW 2 |
— | 2339 | 1989 | 1975 | 1299 | 1299 | 1293 | 1544 | 2677 | — | — | 1421 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 25 | — | 1 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 125 | 260 | 296 | 238 | 166 | 11 | 41 | 41 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.











