Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, ESE swell with 210 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Monday (Aug 17) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. 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 1.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Howdy, Rusty here again, but I’ll do this in feet and miles for you.
It’s a slow burner at Shelley Beach for the next couple weeks. The first week is mostly a write-off with only a couple of tiny windows that are barely worth talking about. The second week has one session that looks like it will actually deliver.
Starting Monday the 17th of August – forget it. We’ve got a 4ft ESE swell with a cross-onshore wind, choppy as hell. Wave energy is weak (204). No reason to paddle out.
Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th morning is the only little blip early on. On the 19th, the wind goes glassy from the SSW, and we’ve got a tiny 2ft set from the ESE, period stretching to 10 seconds. The energy is moderate at 139. It’s surfable but ordinary.
Thursday the 20th morning cleans up with a light cross-offshore breeze from the NNE, a 3ft ESE swell, weak 79 energy, but the conditions are clean. Friday the 21st is flat and pointless.
From Saturday the 22nd through Monday the 24th, the swell plummets. It’s under 2ft, and the energy is negligible. A big gap of nothing.
Now for the real deal. Tuesday the 25th of August morning. Swell jumps to 6ft from the SSE, period of 9 seconds, and a clean cross-offshore wind from the WNW. The combined energy is a solid 648 – that’s strong. The water temperature is about normal for this time of year at Shelley Beach. With the swell over 5ft, this one’s for the experienced crew – maybe not for beginners. Excellent conditions, clean faces, and the best surf of the whole outlook.
Tuesday afternoon drops to 5ft, period shortens to 6 seconds, and the wind goes cross-shore. It’s okay, but the morning is the winner.
Wednesday the 26th to Friday the 28th, the wind gets strong – 15 to 22 mph from the west, keeping the surface clean but the swell drops to around 3ft. The energy dips but stays moderate. It’s clean but not great.
Saturday the 29th of August morning gives a 4ft NE swell with a short 6-second period, a light cross-offshore breeze from the NNW, and clean conditions (energy 254). A decent little session.
After that, it’s back to small stuff and onshore winds into early September.
So, bottom line: Tuesday morning the 25th of August is your best bet, and really the only standout in the whole 16 days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 10 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 141 | 113 | 85 | 121 | 82 | 88 | 100 | 82 | 210 | 140 | 73 | 58 | 64 | 39 | 22 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 10 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:43PM1.39m | 11:21AM1.37m | 11:25PM1.23m | 12:04PM1.35m | 00:11AM1.08m | 12:53PM1.32m | 1:06AM0.96m | 1:49PM1.28m | 2:17AM0.88m | 2:54PM1.27m | 3:41AM0.86m | 4:00PM1.29m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:00AM0.19m | 5:30PM0.36m | 5:34AM0.29m | 6:26PM0.44m | 6:11AM0.39m | 7:30PM0.50m | 6:54AM0.47m | 8:46PM0.53m | 7:49AM0.53m | 10:05PM0.51m | 8:59AM0.56m | 11:09PM0.46m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — |
mm | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | S 9 | S 8 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | E 6 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 6 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 |
| kJ | 55 | 113 | 76 | 46 | 82 | 88 | 94 | 23 | 210 | 140 | 73 | 58 | 64 | 39 | 22 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 10 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 9 | S 12 | ESE 11 | S 8 | S 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | S 8 | S 8 | E 11 | E 10 | S 12 | S 11 | SE 7 | S 10 | S 5 | S 5 | S 8 |
| kJ | 141 | 81 | 48 | 12 | 34 | 55 | 100 | 82 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | ENE 10 | — | S 12 | E 8 | SE 14 | S 10 | SE 7 | — | E 12 | S 14 | — | S 13 | — | SSE 11 | SE 7 | S 9 | S 9 | S 4 |
| kJ | 25 | 10 | — | 3 | 6 | 47 | 29 | 34 | — | 3 | 4 | — | 3 | — | 11 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 |
| kJ | — | — | 85 | 121 | 29 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 26 | 41 | 26 | 63 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 83 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 8 | 13 | 228 | 145 | 228 | 219 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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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