Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, S swell with 538 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 1.4m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty. Let’s talk about what’s coming up over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a slow start. The first sign of any surf shows up on Wednesday the 2nd of September, but it’s pretty weak. Swell around 2 feet from the south at 10 seconds, with a gentle offshore breeze that’ll keep it clean but gutless. Combined energy is low – not enough to get excited about. That continues through Thursday with a bit more wind, then Friday the 4th through Monday the 7th is a total blank – onshore or cross-onshore wind and poor, messy conditions. Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th are no better: choppy, lumpy, just not worth paddling out. That’s a stretch of several days with nothing to chase.
Then things change, but only for the brave. On Thursday the 10th of September, Shelley Beach gets a big pulse: 11 to 12 feet from the south at 9 seconds, with combined energy reading strong. Wind is light and offshore or cross-off, which would normally be perfect, but that’s too much size for this break. That’s expert-only, and even then it’s likely chaotic. Friday the 11th morning still has 8 feet, but cross-shore wind and tricky tide make it marginal.
Now, the real standout. Saturday the 12th of September is your day. Shelley Beach has 3 to 3.5 feet of south swell, period stretching from 9 to 11 seconds. Combined energy is moderate – enough to push you around. More importantly, the wind goes glassy calm by afternoon. Light offshore in the morning, then dead flat. That’s clean, lined-up surf with no chop. South swell is what this break wants. Crowds can show up here, but when it’s this clean with a light crowd, it’s worth the paddle.
After that, Sunday the 13th turns messy with onshore winds and short-period windswell. Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th give you some cleaner windows with offshore wind, but the swell is small – just rideable, nothing special.
Water temp is around 64.8°F, which is average for this time of year – no shock there.
Bottom line: save your energy for the glassy windows on Saturday the 12th. That’s the session to target. The rest is either too small, too rough, or just too big for most.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 14 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 7 | S 11 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 75 | 78 | 50 | 49 | 52 | 33 | 168 | 74 | 38 | 69 | 43 | 27 | 144 | 426 | 194 | 189 | 121 | 212 | 128 | 125 | 83 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | off |
High Tide | 11:26AM1.45m | 11:44PM1.14m | 12:20PM1.44m | 00:50AM1.03m | 1:25PM1.43m | 2:14AM0.96m | 2:40PM1.44m | 3:44AM0.96m | 3:54PM1.49m | 4:59AM1.02m | 5:00PM1.56m | 5:57AM1.12m | 5:57PM1.63m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:52PM0.33m | 5:42AM0.32m | 7:01PM0.37m | 6:37AM0.40m | 8:22PM0.37m | 7:47AM0.46m | 9:46PM0.33m | 9:08AM0.47m | 10:57PM0.24m | 10:24AM0.43m | 11:54PM0.15m | 11:28AM0.35m | 00:41AM0.08m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — |
 | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 22 | 27 | 25 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 30 | 28 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 26 | 23 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 7 | S 10 | S 9 | NE 6 | S 7 | S 11 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 9 | ENE 4 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 |
| kJ | 75 | 78 | 50 | 49 | 52 | 33 | 168 | 74 | 27 | 69 | 43 | 9 | 52 | 426 | 194 | 189 | 121 | 1 | 128 | 125 | 83 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 5 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | NE 5 | E 9 | NE 5 | S 9 | NE 6 | E 10 | ENE 8 | E 10 | S 8 | E 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 33 | 33 | 32 | 10 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 12 | 7 | 13 | 27 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 46 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 10 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | S 18 | SSE 14 | S 16 | E 9 | E 11 | E 10 | NE 6 | E 10 | NE 7 | E 10 | NE 8 | NE 4 | E 10 | SE 11 |
| kJ | 8 | 8 | 5 | 18 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 38 | 19 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 5 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | N 4 | NW 2 | NNW 3 | SSW 3 | SSW 5 | — | ENE 3 | — | NNE 4 | WNW 3 | SW 4 | SSW 7 | — | — | — | ENE 3 | SSE 8 | — | — | NE 4 |
| kJ | 2 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 16 | — | 5 | — | 13 | 8 | 10 | 144 | — | — | — | 3 | 212 | — | — | 4 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 4 | 83 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 562 | 0 | 19 | 158 | 0 | 9 | 83 | 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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