Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, NE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, S swell with 279 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Shelley Beach in the next 16 days are 1.6m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next couple of weeks at Shelley Beach are a real mixed bag. We’ve got a long stretch of pretty ordinary, small surf coming up, and it’s not until the very end of the forecast that we see any real potential. The water temp is sitting at 64°F, which is just about normal for this time of year.
Right now, Wednesday morning, we’ve got a tiny 3ft swell coming from the ESE with a weak period around 7 seconds. The energy is minimal, only a reading of 199, but the wind is glassy, so it’s clean. It’s surfable, but don’t get your hopes up. That little window closes fast.
From Wednesday afternoon all the way through to Tuesday, September 1st, it’s a grim run. For over a week we’re looking at waves under 3ft, with a few days barely hitting 1ft to 2ft. The wind is mostly cross or cross-off, but there’s just no power. The combined swell energy dips into the low two-digit or three-digit figures, and the scores are flat. It’s a real dry spell.
Now, we do get a glimmer of hope on Thursday the 27th of August. The morning looks promising – a clean, 5ft swell from the S with a period of 8 seconds, and a light offshore wind from the WNW. The energy jumps to 380, and it’s rated as good surf. This is the first real standout, but it’s isolated. The afternoon gets messy again.
Then there’s a potential standout on Saturday the 29th of August. The morning brings a 7ft swell from the S with 9-second period, and the energy is a strong 728. The wind is a moderate cross-off, so the waves will be clean. But here’s the catch – by the afternoon, that S swell builds to a massive 10ft with an energy of 1716, and the wind swings cross-shore at 22 mph. This is getting into expert-only territory, and it’s going to be a lumpy mess at a beach break like Shelley. Honestly, that afternoon setup looks more interesting for the kite crew than paddle surfers.
By Tuesday, September 1st, we get one more good morning. A clean 6ft S swell with a 10-second period and light offshore wind. The energy is a solid 572, and it’s rated as very good surf. This is your second real standout after the 27th.
Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd of September trail off into small, glassy but weak 4ft and 2ft swells. Not much to get excited about.
So, if you’re hanging for a wave, pencil in Thursday morning, August 27th and Tuesday morning, September 1st. The rest of the time, you’re better off giving it a miss.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 7 | E 10 | SE 9 | ESE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 9 | SE 5 | S 9 | S 8 | ENE 5 | S 10 | ENE 7 | NE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
94 | 267 | 81 | 50 | 40 | 96 | 43 | 22 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 33 | 23 | 33 | 46 | 30 | 76 | 92 | 93 | 96 | 54 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:53PM1.32m | 1:06AM0.96m | 1:49PM1.28m | 2:17AM0.88m | 2:54PM1.27m | 3:41AM0.86m | 4:00PM1.29m | 4:54AM0.89m | 4:58PM1.35m | 5:47AM0.94m | 5:46PM1.42m | 6:29AM1.01m | 6:27PM1.49m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:30PM0.50m | 6:54AM0.47m | 8:46PM0.53m | 7:49AM0.53m | 10:05PM0.51m | 8:59AM0.56m | 11:09PM0.46m | 10:09AM0.54m | 11:58PM0.39m | 11:07AM0.50m | 00:37AM0.32m | 11:56AM0.43m | 1:11AM0.24m | ||||||||
6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 15 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 11 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | S 8 | ENE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | SE 5 | ESE 4 | S 8 | ENE 5 | E 5 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 |
94 | 10 | 63 | 50 | 30 | 96 | 43 | 22 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 33 | 18 | 33 | 31 | 21 | 23 | 36 | 93 | 96 | 54 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 10 | — | SE 9 | ENE 6 | E 10 | S 13 | S 12 | SE 7 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | ENE 6 | S 9 | S 17 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 |
80 | — | 81 | 20 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 4 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 30 | 28 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 15 | S 8 | E 11 | S 14 | — | S 11 | S 11 | SE 7 | S 5 | E 9 | S 9 | ENE 6 | S 19 | ENE 9 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 9 | S 14 | S 8 | S 14 |
25 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 19 | 16 | 5 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | E 10 | NE 5 | — | ENE 6 | — | NW 2 | NW 3 | WNW 2 | — | S 5 | — | — | E 5 | ENE 5 | — | ENE 7 | NE 6 | NNW 4 | NW 3 | SW 4 |
— | 267 | 96 | — | 40 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 12 | — | — | 20 | 46 | — | 76 | 92 | 13 | 3 | 11 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 349 | 26 | 0 | 131 | 0 | 3 | 91 | 228 | 157 | 349 | 8 | 0 | 127 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 8 | 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.











