Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, S swell with 1,752 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 5s period with SSW 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m 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 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) 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 0.6m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for Shelley Beach.
Right off the bat, we're looking at a pretty mixed bag. The first few days are a bit of a tease – we get some clean, glassy conditions with a little bit of energy, but the swell is small and inconsistent. The real story here is the big pulse of southerly swell that rolls in around the second week, but it's going to be a battle with the wind. It’s not a classic run, but there are a couple of windows to get wet.
The first real standout comes on Friday the 4th of September. The morning is looking sweet. We’ve got a clean 4ft south swell with a nice 11-second period pushing in from the south. The wind is glassy out of the north-northeast, so it’s going to be smooth. The combined energy is sitting at a moderate 363, which is enough to get you moving. Conditions are going to be glassy, which is a major positive. Later that afternoon, the wind swings onshore and picks up, turning it to junk, so the morning session is the one to nail.
Another good bet is Monday the 7th of September. Early doors, we’ve got similar conditions to the previous Friday: a clean 4ft south swell, though the period is a shorter 8 seconds. The wind is glassy again out of the south-southeast, so it’ll be clean. The combined energy is a moderate 204. It’s not going to be a monster day, but it’s a solid, clean option for a surf.
The big swell arrives on the 10th, with a 10ft south swell, but the wind is a strong, onshore mess. The combined energy rockets up to 1826, but it’s a total write-off for paddle surfing. Honestly, with that kind of size and a cross-onshore breeze, it’s looking more like a kite session than a surf.
The rest of the forecast is a bit of a washout. There are a few days with a small, clean swell in the morning, like the 15th and 16th, but the size is small and the period is short. The long-range stuff from the 17th onwards is a total blowout with howling onshore winds. So, to sum it up: make the most of the clean, glassy mornings on the 4th and the 7th. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so you won't need a steamer.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 30°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the S by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 10 | S 11 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 7 | S 8 | S 10 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 33 | 335 | 123 | 66 | 89 | 57 | 27 | 45 | 63 | 470 | 187 | 180 | 281 | 527 | 483 | 89 | 107 | 259 | 720 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 00:50AM1.03m | 1:25PM1.43m | 2:14AM0.96m | 2:40PM1.44m | 3:44AM0.96m | 3:54PM1.49m | 4:59AM1.02m | 5:00PM1.56m | 5:57AM1.12m | 5:57PM1.63m | 6:45AM1.22m | 6:46PM1.66m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:37AM0.40m | 8:22PM0.37m | 7:47AM0.46m | 9:46PM0.33m | 9:08AM0.47m | 10:57PM0.24m | 10:24AM0.43m | 11:54PM0.15m | 11:28AM0.35m | 00:41AM0.08m | 12:24PM0.28m | 1:23AM0.04m | |||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | | | | | |  | | | | | |  | |
 | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 6 |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 28 | 30 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 23 | 25 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 11 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | S 11 | S 9 | S 7 | S 10 | NE 5 | ENE 6 | S 7 | S 8 | S 10 | S 8 | SSE 8 | E 10 | E 9 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 33 | 335 | 123 | 40 | 89 | 21 | 26 | 45 | 63 | 470 | 187 | 180 | 8 | 7 | 483 | 89 | 107 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | E 10 | NE 5 | E 9 | S 9 | S 9 | NE 7 | NE 6 | E 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 12 | NE 8 | N 9 | E 10 | SE 8 | SE 8 | E 17 | S 16 |
| kJ | 16 | 19 | 16 | 11 | 7 | 57 | 27 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 80 | 50 | 6 | 20 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 8 | S 18 | S 11 | S 16 | E 9 | E 11 | E 11 | E 10 | NE 6 | E 10 | ENE 10 | — | — | NE 8 | E 10 | SE 10 | S 17 | E 16 |
| kJ | 12 | 9 | 7 | 66 | 19 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 8 | 9 | — | — | 3 | 7 | 16 | 6 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | — | ENE 3 | — | NNE 4 | WNW 3 | W 3 | — | SSE 3 | — | — | ENE 3 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | — | — | — | SSE 8 | SSE 8 |
| kJ | 15 | — | 4 | — | 7 | 3 | 1 | — | 5 | — | — | 3 | 281 | 527 | — | — | — | 259 | 720 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 99 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 562 | 0 | 0 | 205 | 11 | 157 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 166 | 266 |
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.
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