Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 10 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, S swell with 1,835 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 (Sep 10) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore 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 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 6s period and expected on Monday (Sep 14) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right off the bat, it’s looking pretty bleak out at Shelley Beach. We’ve got a run of poor surf and messy, cross-shore winds that’s going to test your patience. The first real chance of anything decent doesn’t show up until Saturday the 12th, so don’t bother paddling out before that.
The Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th are a write-off. We’ve got a 7.2ft south swell on Thursday, but it’s being torn apart by a cross-shore breeze, making for a real chop fest. Friday backs down to 5.6ft, but it’s still cross-onshore and fairly choppy. Not worth the effort.
But check this out – Saturday morning, the 12th. The wind drops right out, going glassy, and we get a clean 3.6ft south-southeast swell with a 10-second period. The conditions are perfect. This is your window if you’re a beginner or just want some fun, clean waves without the crowd. It’s only small, but it’ll be the best you’ll see for a while.
After that, it’s back to the grind. Sunday through to the following Friday is a graveyard of poor conditions. Small, weak swells, cross-shore winds, and just an overall lack of energy. There’s a clean moment on Monday the 14th with a light cross-offshore breeze, but the swell is tiny at 2.3ft. It’s surfable, but you’ll be fighting for every dribble.
Then, hold onto your board. The big one is brewing for Saturday the 19th. We’re looking at a solid 9.8ft south swell rolling in with a 10-second period. The winds are favorable and the tide is looking right, but this one is too big for Shelley. It’ll be onto the beach and closing out. Only for the experts, and even then, it’s a mission. The afternoon brings a fresh cross-shore breeze that turns it into a complete mess.
Following that, Sunday the 20th is worth a mention. The swell drops back to a friendly 3.6ft south-southeast, and we get a proper offshore breeze from the north-northwest. It’ll be clean. A far cry from the day before.
There’s another pulse of swell later on, around Wednesday the 23rd, with a 9.8ft south-southeast swell, but again, it’s too big and crossed-up. The forecast for the final few days is more of the same – a mix of small, short-period swell and onshore winds. One last clean window shows up on the 25th with a 3.9ft south swell and a cross-offshore breeze, but that’s a long way off. This period is all about patience. Don’t get skunked waiting for perfection.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 10°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed night, calm by Fri night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
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) | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 6 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2162 | 812 | 866 | 1160 | 551 | 400 | 308 | 235 | 242 | 151 | 110 | 143 | 100 | 116 | 82 | 48 | 44 | 158 | 705 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:28AM1.31m | 7:31PM1.65m | 8:07AM1.40m | 8:14PM1.59m | 8:44AM1.46m | 8:54PM1.50m | 9:21AM1.49m | 9:34PM1.38m | 9:57AM1.49m | 10:13PM1.25m | 10:34AM1.46m | 10:54PM1.12m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:23AM0.04m | 1:14PM0.21m | 2:00AM0.03m | 2:01PM0.17m | 2:35AM0.06m | 2:47PM0.17m | 3:07AM0.11m | 3:31PM0.19m | 3:39AM0.19m | 4:15PM0.24m | 4:10AM0.28m | 5:01PM0.31m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  | |  | | | | | |  | | |  | |
 | — | 6:01 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 18 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 11 | S 9 | SSE 22 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 11 | ENE 6 | S 11 | S 11 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | E 14 |
| kJ | 47 | 812 | 169 | 783 | 551 | 400 | 308 | 235 | 242 | 151 | 110 | 143 | 59 | 116 | 82 | 43 | 17 | 5 | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 25 | SE 10 | SE 9 | ESE 8 | E 15 | E 14 | SSE 18 | SSE 19 | SSE 18 | SSE 20 | ENE 5 | E 13 | S 10 | ENE 6 | E 12 | S 10 | E 13 | S 10 | ENE 13 |
| kJ | 13 | 25 | 22 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 33 | 122 | 114 | 129 | 12 | 13 | 100 | 21 | 12 | 48 | 3 | 7 | 18 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 23 | E 9 | SSE 22 | S 21 | E 10 | E 13 | E 14 | E 14 | E 13 | SSE 17 | ENE 13 | E 13 | E 13 | — | E 12 | E 16 | E 13 | S 18 |
| kJ | — | 104 | 2 | 47 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 58 | 17 | 13 | 13 | — | 12 | 5 | 13 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | — | S 9 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | E 3 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | NE 6 | — | ENE 4 | — | S 10 | SSE 6 | SSE 9 |
| kJ | 2162 | — | 866 | 1160 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 17 | 16 | 28 | 119 | — | 42 | — | 44 | 158 | 705 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 125 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 216 | 0 | 8 | 471 | 0 | 0 | 170 | 0 | 95 | 228 | 260 |
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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