Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period, S swell with 1,453 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 10s period with S 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 2.0m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 6s 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 2.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for Shelley Beach.
The first few days are a bit of a write-off, to be honest. We’ve got swell, but the wind’s all over the place and the conditions are just ugly. It’s not until Sunday the 2nd of August that things start to look up. That morning, the wind swings offshore and it goes clean, with a 4.6ft swell from the SSE and a solid 11-second period. The energy is moderate (737), and it’s setting up for some real nice lines. It’s the standout of the whole forecast, but it’s a short window – by afternoon the wind picks up and it’s messed up again.
Monday the 3rd has a morning session that’s worth a look too, with offshore winds and a clean 3.6ft from the SE. It’s smaller, but the 10-second period will keep it fun. The energy is lower (244), but clean waves are clean waves.
After that, we hit a dry spell. Tuesday the 4th is flat and no good. Wednesday the 5th morning has a clean 4.9ft from the south, but the wind is cross-off, and it’s the best of a bad bunch. The energy is moderate (400). After that, it’s a long stretch of choppy, cross-onshore garbage right through to the 9th of August. There’s a bit of swell in there, but the wind is just relentless.
Now, looking way down the line, Friday the 14th of August is a monster session, but it’s not for everyone. The swell is pumping 9.8ft from the south, with a moderate energy reading of 2654. The wind is offshore and the conditions are clean, but at that size, it’s for experts only. It’s a long way out, so treat it as promising but not locked in.
For the average surfer, your best bet is Sunday the 2nd of August morning. It’s clean, it’s got a bit of push, and the crowds are *sometimes* an issue at Shelley Beach, but on a morning like that, it’s worth the paddle. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 9°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 6 | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 13 | SSE 11 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | S 6 | SSW 6 | S 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 66 | 563 | 359 | 804 | 847 | 799 | 565 | 487 | 377 | 835 | 425 | 671 | 466 | 231 | 184 | 79 | 17 | 53 | 165 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:46AM1.11m | 8:43PM1.60m | 9:22AM1.16m | 9:17PM1.58m | 9:58AM1.20m | 9:52PM1.53m | 10:36AM1.25m | 10:28PM1.45m | 11:16AM1.29m | 11:09PM1.35m | 12:01PM1.32m | 11:57PM1.24m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:52AM0.17m | 2:16PM0.34m | 3:24AM0.14m | 2:56PM0.34m | 3:55AM0.13m | 3:36PM0.35m | 4:26AM0.13m | 4:19PM0.37m | 4:59AM0.16m | 5:08PM0.40m | 5:35AM0.19m | 6:03PM0.43m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 21 | 21 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
Feels °C | 5 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 7 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 13 | SSE 11 | SE 12 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | S 6 | S 6 | S 8 |
| kJ | 4 | 563 | 359 | 804 | 552 | 602 | 565 | 487 | 377 | 835 | 425 | 671 | 466 | 231 | 184 | 79 | 17 | 28 | 165 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 13 | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | NE 7 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | SSE 14 | SE 15 | SE 12 | E 17 | NE 8 | E 16 | E 15 | E 15 | ESE 7 | E 7 | ESE 8 |
| kJ | 7 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 121 | 174 | 306 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | E 12 | E 12 | — | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | E 19 | NE 7 | E 18 | E 17 | S 22 | S 21 | S 20 | SE 15 | E 11 | SSE 10 | ESE 9 | E 13 |
| kJ | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | — | — | — | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | — | SSW 6 | W 4 |
| kJ | 66 | — | — | — | 847 | 799 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 30 | 9 | 3 | 3 | — | 53 | 12 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 221 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 15 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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