Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, S swell with 292 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s 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 Friday (Aug 14) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Shelley Beach in the next 16 days are 1.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 10AM. 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 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve been scanning Shelley Beach’s charts for the next couple weeks. Honestly, it’s a quiet start—no real surf until Friday the 14th—so there’s a gap of about a day and a half before anything’s worth suiting up for.
Friday morning the 14th brings 1.2m of south swell with a 9-second period, not huge but clean. Wind is WSW at 3 mph, cross-offshore, leaving the surface glassy. Water temp is 64°, about a degree and a half cooler than usual for this time of year—a bit fresh. Combined energy is moderate at 275. This is the pick of the first week.
Saturday the 15th has 1.4m south swell but the wind turns cross-onshore from the south at 6 mph with rain showers. Energy jumps to 543, but it’s messy. Skip it.
Sunday through Wednesday next week is flat or poor. Swell drops, winds are onshore, energy stays weak, mostly under 200. Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st have glassy mornings with tiny 1.0m and 0.5m swells, but energy is down to 96 and 64—just enough for a foamie if you’re keen.
The standout is Monday the 24th. A solid 1.7m south swell with a 10-second period, energy at 589, and a light cross-offshore breeze from the west at 3 mph. Clean conditions and good size.
Then Thursday the 27th morning brings a 1.9m south swell with a 10-second period and energy at 1136—strong. Wind is cross-off from the west at 9 mph, clean surf, but this is for experienced surfers only, as it’s over 1.5m.
Friday the 28th sees 2.1m to 2.3m south swell, energy up to 1620, but the wind turns cross and cross-onshore, creating chop. More of a kite day than paddle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 15mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 7 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | ESE 6 | SE 6 | S 11 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | S 11 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 380 | 196 | 230 | 149 | 70 | 292 | 238 | 161 | 90 | 116 | 144 | 132 | 102 | 130 | 91 | 56 | 118 | 121 | 93 | 111 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:36PM1.76m | 9:17AM1.32m | 9:19PM1.68m | 9:58AM1.36m | 10:01PM1.54m | 10:39AM1.38m | 10:43PM1.39m | 11:21AM1.37m | 11:25PM1.23m | 12:04PM1.35m | 00:11AM1.08m | 12:53PM1.32m | 1:06AM0.96m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:13AM-0.02m | 3:01PM0.20m | 3:50AM0.03m | 3:50PM0.23m | 4:26AM0.10m | 4:39PM0.29m | 5:00AM0.19m | 5:30PM0.36m | 5:34AM0.29m | 6:26PM0.44m | 6:11AM0.39m | 7:30PM0.50m | ||||||||
 |  | | |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 8 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | S 6 | SE 6 | S 11 | ESE 7 | S 9 | S 8 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 |
| kJ | 380 | 196 | 230 | 149 | 70 | 197 | 238 | 161 | 50 | 116 | 144 | 132 | 78 | 35 | 91 | 48 | 118 | 121 | 93 | 111 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | SSE 18 | SSE 18 | S 7 | SSE 17 | S 10 | S 12 | E 9 | S 8 | S 11 | ESE 11 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | — |
| kJ | 29 | 29 | 18 | 18 | 28 | 17 | 18 | 60 | 61 | 60 | 29 | 89 | 48 | 7 | 21 | 56 | 48 | 37 | 47 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 16 | S 19 | S 16 | ENE 9 | SSE 19 | SSE 19 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | SSE 18 | E 10 | SSW 13 | — | S 12 | S 11 | ESE 13 | S 10 | E 9 | S 8 | — |
| kJ | — | 19 | 27 | 19 | 17 | 37 | 69 | 18 | 19 | 60 | 8 | 53 | — | 11 | 22 | 32 | 17 | 7 | 12 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 9 | — | — | ESE 6 | — | ESE 6 | — | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | — | E 6 | — | SW 3 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 292 | — | — | 90 | — | 114 | — | 102 | 130 | — | 27 | — | 2 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 445 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 41 | 166 | 11 | 166 | 216 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 81 | 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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