Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 12s period, SSE swell with 718 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s 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 (Aug 27) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. 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 1.6m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) 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 1.1m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s comin’ our way for Shelley Beach.
Right now, the surf is pretty grim. We’ve got a stretch of small, choppy, cross-onshore junk to get through first. Wednesday the 26th is a write-off with rain showers and a bumpy 3ft to 5ft of wind-affected slop. Thursday isn’t much better, with a messy 6ft and a rough cross-on breeze. The energy is there on Thursday morning (524), but it’s a waste with that wind.
The first real chance of something decent comes on Friday morning, 28th August. The stars line up with a clean 5ft swell from the SSE, a period of 11 seconds, and glassy conditions. The wind is dead calm, just a slight air, and the combined energy is a solid 624. This is your window for a clean, fun session. It’s a consistent spot, so there’ll be waves around, but remember, it can get crowded sometimes.
The swell drops off over the weekend and into the next week, with a lot of poor-to-ordinary conditions. The water temp is sitting at 64°, which is about normal for this time of year, nothin’ crazy.
Now, hold on to your boards, because the standout of the whole 16-day window is further out. On Sunday morning, 6th September, we’ve got a real thumper on the way. Shelley Beach is looking at an 8ft swell from the south, with a short period of 8 seconds. The combined energy is a massive 864. The wind is glassy again, dead calm. This is a big wave, though. At 8ft, it’s strictly for the experienced crew—beginners, sit this one out. The wind will be clean, making for some powerful, heavy bowls. It’s a solid, promising call, but it’s a long way off, so keep an eye on it.
Overall, Friday morning is your best bet in the near term, and that Sunday the 6th is the big one to watch for the real power surfers.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | S 6 | S 7 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 98 | 173 | 245 | 521 | 377 | 263 | 582 | 460 | 299 | 333 | 261 | 171 | 123 | 197 | 190 | 124 | 164 | 117 | 163 | 149 | 104 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off |
High Tide | 7:04PM1.54m | 7:41AM1.17m | 7:40PM1.57m | 8:15AM1.25m | 8:15PM1.57m | 8:49AM1.32m | 8:50PM1.54m | 9:24AM1.38m | 9:27PM1.47m | 10:01AM1.42m | 10:07PM1.38m | 10:41AM1.45m | 10:52PM1.27m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:39PM0.37m | 1:43AM0.18m | 1:19PM0.32m | 2:14AM0.13m | 1:59PM0.28m | 2:44AM0.10m | 2:39PM0.26m | 3:14AM0.10m | 3:21PM0.25m | 3:46AM0.12m | 4:05PM0.26m | 4:20AM0.17m | 4:55PM0.29m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — |
mm | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 24 | 26 | 20 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 22 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 |
| kJ | 98 | 86 | 58 | 521 | 377 | 263 | 582 | 460 | 299 | 333 | 261 | 152 | 123 | 197 | 190 | 120 | 164 | 117 | 163 | 149 | 104 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 11 | S 15 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 16 | S 16 | S 17 | SSE 15 | ENE 11 | ENE 11 | NE 5 |
| kJ | 5 | 10 | 17 | 41 | 35 | 42 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 162 | 102 | 171 | 90 | 25 | 91 | 124 | 144 | 72 | 23 | 38 | 13 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | — | S 11 | S 15 | S 15 | SSE 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 18 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | NE 12 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 3 | — | 2 | 18 | 38 | 40 | 63 | 15 | 2 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 25 | 25 | 31 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 34 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 3 | S 6 | S 7 | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 | ENE 4 | WNW 2 |
| kJ | 9 | 173 | 245 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 10 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 46 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 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.
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