Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, ESE 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★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with ESE 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 (Aug 19) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. 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-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| 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
Alright, my salty friends, Rusty here breaking it all down. This 16-day stretch starts with a real snooze-fest, but there’s a slab of proper swell that comes roaring in right at the end of the month.
We’re looking at a whole lot of nothing to start. From now, Tuesday the 18th, all the way through the end of August, Shelley Beach is mostly dribble. We’re talking waves from 0.2ft to 2ft at best, mostly out of the ESE or ENE, with weak energy – readings from 11 to 224 – so there’s no real power. You’ll get a few glassy mornings, like Wednesday the 19th (2ft, ESE, glass) and Saturday the 22nd (1ft, glass), but it’s really just for logging or a paddle. It’s a long flat spell from the 19th through the 30th, with nothing worth rushing for.
Then the whole picture shifts. On Monday the 31st of August, a proper south swell shows up. The morning brings 6ft of S swell with a 10-second period and a strong offshore NW wind at 18 mph. The energy climbs to 724 – that’s moderate, but building. The real standout is Monday afternoon: 8ft of S swell (10-second period), clean with a cross-offshore W wind at 9 mph. The energy reading is a solid 2216 – that’s a strong, powerful pulse. The report calls it excellent for experienced surfers, because 8ft is no joke for beginners, and those clean winds will groom it into proper lines.
Tuesday the 1st of September, it actually gets bigger, hitting 10ft from the S (10-second period), but with a light cross-shore breeze. The energy is very high at 1758, but the word is it might be too big for this spot, so that’s strictly for the experts. The water is sitting around 64°F, which is a bit cooler than the usual this time of year, but nothing extreme.
Bottom line: the first two weeks are a total washout. All your focus should be on Monday the 31st of August afternoon at Shelley Beach. That 8ft of clean, solid S swell is the one. It might get a bit of a crowd (it’s known for that), but for waves that good, it’s worth a bit of company.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 10 | SE 9 | E 6 | ESE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | S 9 | S 7 | SSE 18 | SSE 15 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 105 | 105 | 113 | 80 | 210 | 81 | 64 | 40 | 62 | 36 | 15 | 9 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 32 | 45 | 51 | 44 | 48 | 42 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | off | off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 4:54AM0.89m | 4:58PM1.35m | 5:47AM0.94m | 5:46PM1.42m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 10:09AM0.54m | 11:58PM0.39m | 11:07AM0.50m | 00:37AM0.32m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — |
mm | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 24 | 22 | 17 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 22 | 18 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 11 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 10 | ENE 5 | E 6 | ESE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | S 5 | S 9 | ENE 4 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 6 |
| kJ | 35 | 55 | 113 | 76 | 210 | 36 | 64 | 40 | 62 | 36 | 15 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 24 | 13 | 44 | 48 | 33 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | SE 14 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | S 9 | SE 9 | E 11 | E 10 | S 12 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | S 5 | S 9 | S 4 | S 9 | SSE 15 | S 10 | NE 8 | ENE 8 | S 9 |
| kJ | 6 | 47 | 100 | 80 | 14 | 81 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 14 | 45 | 51 | 15 | 28 | 42 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 15 | E 10 | S 10 | S 9 | — | — | — | S 14 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SE 7 | S 5 | S 7 | SSE 18 | E 7 | NE 8 | NE 4 | S 16 | S 15 |
| kJ | 9 | 7 | 29 | 25 | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 32 | 1 | 17 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | — | — | — | NE 5 | — | ENE 4 | — | — | E 3 | WNW 2 | WSW 2 | — | — | — | ENE 9 | NE 4 | — | — | NNW 2 |
| kJ | 105 | 105 | — | — | — | 74 | — | 12 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 30 | 27 | — | — | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 82 | 82 | 0 | 0 | 349 | 26 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 3 | 42 | 219 | 295 | 791 | 128 | 0 | 349 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 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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