Shelley Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.36° S 151.51° E

Shelley Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Shelley Beach sea temperature is
18.8° C
0.6° 

Shelley Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Shelley Beach surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period, E swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 14s period, S swell with 711 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 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 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 12s. 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 1.4m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Mon 20th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 11s
Best Surf 7AM (Mon 20th Jul)5.5ft (1.7m) 11s
Most Powerful 1AM (Sat 25th Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s talk about what’s happening at Shelley Beach over the next couple of weeks. There’s some good stuff, but you gotta pick your moments.

The first real one is Monday morning, July 20th. Dead calm, glassy as a mirror, and a solid 6ft swell from the east with an 11-second period. The energy is pumping at 819, so there’s some proper push. Water temp is about 66°, which is normal for the season. That’s the best session of the first week – clean, punchy, and all yours.

Monday afternoon goes a bit cross-shore and not worth it.

Tuesday morning, July 21st, has a clean 4ft east-northeast swell with a light offshore breeze. It’s okay, but not a standout. The afternoon is a dud.

Wednesday and Thursday are small and messy – swell drops below 3ft and the wind chops it up. There’s a stretch of a few days here where it’s just not worth paddling out.

Then Friday morning, July 24th, brings a new pulse from the south. A solid 6ft swell with a 10-second period, clean conditions with a light offshore breeze, and energy of 623. This is another standout – better than anything else in the first week. The south swell sets up nicely.

Saturday and Sunday mornings both have clean conditions too, with swell around 4ft to 5ft, but the energy is moderate. Still good for a session, but the highlight is that Friday.

The next week (starting July 27th) is quieter. Monday and Tuesday mornings have clean 4ft to 4ft south swells, nice for a cruise but nothing to get excited about. Wednesday the 29th is a write-off with strong cross-shore winds and lumpy conditions.

Now, here’s the big one. Thursday morning, July 30th, sees a massive 8ft southerly swell with a 13-second period, and combined energy of 2603. That’s serious power. But it’s a cross-shore wind and the description says marginal – the wind’s gonna chop it up. This is for experienced surfers only, and it’s not going to be clean. Not the best on offer, but lots of raw energy.

Friday, July 31st, and Saturday, August 1st, both have 6ft to 7ft southerly swell with cleaner cross-shore winds, but still with a bit of chop. The period is long (11-13 seconds), so you’ll get some proper lines, but the wind is the problem.

The last few days into early August drop off into poor conditions, with onshore winds and messy waves. The best of the whole 16-day window is hands down Monday morning, July 20th, with that glassy, 6ft east swell, and Friday morning, July 24th, with the clean 6ft south swell. Those are the ones to circle on the calendar.

If you’re a kite surfer, the strong winds on Wednesday July 29th and the big lumpy 8ft swell on Thursday July 30th might be more your thing, but for paddle surfing, stick to the standouts.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri morning).

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
2
0
2
1
0
0
1
0
1
3
1
2
1
2
3
3
1
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
E
11
1.6
E
11
1.5
ENE
10
1.3
ENE
10
1.2
ENE
10
1.2
ENE
10
0.9
ENE
10
0.9
ENE
10
0.9
ENE
9
0.7
ENE
9
0.6
ENE
9
1.1
SSW
7
1.8
S
10
1.4
S
9
1.4
S
14
1.2
S
11
1
S
12
1.4
S
12
1.5
S
11
1.5
S
11
1.4
S
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
669
595
441
349
294
253
163
159
124
84
62
111
593
299
711
361
268
553
536
505
361
Wind (km/h)
0
SSW
15
NE
10
NNW
10
N
15
NE
10
NNW
10
W
10
E
15
W
15
WSW
15
SW
25
WSW
10
WSW
10
ENE
20
WNW
20
WSW
15
SW
15
WSW
10
WSW
10
SE
10
WSW
Wind State
glassy
cross
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-off
High Tide
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
6:08AM0.93m
6:12PM1.46m
Low Tide
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
11:27AM0.47m
1:07AM0.32m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:52
6:52
6:52
6:52
6:50
6:50
6:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:06
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:09
5:09
 mm
2
Temp °C
15
15
15
15
16
15
19
18
18
18
19
11
13
13
10
18
18
13
16
15
14
Feels °C
14
13
13
12
13
13
16
15
15
14
14
4
10
9
4
13
14
8
13
12
13
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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