
Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, S swell with 1,993 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period with E 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 (Jul 20) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Shelley Beach in the next 16 days are 2.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 24th Jul) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sun 26th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Shelley Beach and what’s coming up in the next couple of weeks.
We kick off Sunday the 19th, but it’s a messy one. The swell is 7 ft from the east, with a 12 mph onshore wind from the southeast, making it choppy and uninviting. The combined energy is 1037, but it’s not doing us any favors. The water is 66°, which is about normal for this time of year.
The real standout is Monday the 20th in the morning. The swell drops to 6 ft from the east, with a long 11-second period, and the wind is glassy from the southwest at 3 mph. That’s clean, lined-up surf. The energy is 819—moderate but enough for a good session. This is the morning to be out there. Shelley Beach is an exposed, consistent spot, and the glassy conditions will make it a treat. Crowds are possible, so get there early.
Tuesday the 21st morning is still clean with a light cross-offshore wind from the north at 6 mph, but the swell is down to 4 ft. It’s surfable but not a standout. The energy is 410. Wednesday the 22nd morning has a light offshore wind from the west-northwest and a 4 ft swell, but it’s small.
We hit a flat spell after Wednesday the 22nd afternoon. By Thursday the 23rd, the swell is barely 2 ft, with energy at a weak 88. There’s a gap of about 24 hours with no real surf.
Friday the 24th morning brings a new south swell at 6 ft, but the period is short at 8 seconds. The wind is light cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but the waves will be weak. The energy is 433. Not terrible.
The next standout is Sunday the 26th morning. The swell is 6 ft from the south with a 12-second period, and the wind is a gentle cross-shore from the southwest. The energy jumps to 1019. The swell direction is a bit off the optimum, but the size and power will still produce fun waves. The afternoon gets too big at 8 ft with onshore wind, which is only for experts.
The weekdays smooth out. Monday the 27th morning is clean with a cross-offshore wind, but the swell is back to 4 ft. Tuesday the 28th morning has a light offshore wind from the northwest and a 3 ft swell—clean but small.
From Wednesday the 29th, it gets very small, with waves at 1.0 ft and only 66 energy. Friday the 31st has a bump in size, but the wind is howling from the southwest at 16 mph, so it’s a no-go.
The first week of August sees Saturday the 1st with 6 ft from the south, but the wind is cross-shore and lumpy. Sunday the 2nd morning has a cross-offshore wind and a 5 ft swell, which could be okay, but the energy is moderate at 411.
So, the clear standout is Monday morning, the 20th of July. Glassy conditions, east swell at 6 ft with 11 seconds, and clean waves. After that, Sunday the 26th morning is a good second option. The rest is either small, windy, or a bit messy.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 6°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 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) | E 11 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
924 | 666 | 734 | 669 | 595 | 441 | 349 | 307 | 269 | 201 | 121 | 94 | 71 | 62 | 311 | 405 | 372 | 273 | 214 | 287 | 496 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | glassy | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 12:09PM1.27m | 00:01AM1.34m | 12:59PM1.28m | 00:51AM1.17m | 1:51PM1.29m | 1:47AM1.03m | 2:45PM1.31m | 2:54AM0.93m | 3:41PM1.32m | 4:07AM0.89m | 4:36PM1.36m | 5:13AM0.89m | 5:26PM1.40m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:59PM0.42m | 6:30AM0.22m | 7:01PM0.48m | 7:10AM0.31m | 8:11PM0.52m | 7:53AM0.39m | 9:27PM0.53m | 8:42AM0.45m | 10:38PM0.50m | 9:37AM0.49m | 11:38PM0.44m | 10:34AM0.49m | 00:26AM0.38m | ||||||||
6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 18 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 4 | 12 | 13 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 12 |
924 | 666 | 734 | 669 | 595 | 441 | 349 | 307 | 269 | 201 | 121 | 94 | 71 | 62 | 43 | 405 | 372 | 273 | 214 | 287 | 496 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 18 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
101 | 85 | 119 | 141 | 134 | 84 | 56 | 31 | 31 | 17 | 19 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 28 | 24 | 174 | 13 | 13 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | S 16 | SSE 15 | S 14 | S 12 | — | — | — | E 8 | S 17 | — | E 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | — | — |
12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 21 | 4 | 12 | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | — | 1 | 14 | 13 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NE 5 | WNW 2 | — | WNW 2 | SW 3 | SSW 6 | S 8 | W 3 | — | W 2 | W 3 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 61 | 1 | — | 1 | 9 | 35 | 311 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 41 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 117 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 112 | 11 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 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.










