Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s period, S swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 14s period, S swell with 1,322 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 24 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 12s 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 (Jul 24) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 9s. 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 1.9m 14s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 25) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Fri 24th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sat 25th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, talking your local surf in feet and miles. The water’s about 65.3°, which is normal for this time of year – nothing weird going on.
We start with a flat Thursday the 23rd – weak energy (96) and poor waves, just leave the board at home. Friday the 24th brings a sudden jump to 6.6ft south swell with huge energy (1248), but the wind is all wrong and conditions are marginal – not worth the paddle.
The best day is without a doubt Saturday the 25th morning. The wind goes offshore from the WNW at just 6 mph, and we’ve got a clean 4.9ft south swell with a long 11-second period. That energy is strong at 539, and the waves will be really good at Shelley Beach. Sunday the 26th morning is almost as good with another 4.9ft south swell (542 energy) and cross-offshore breeze – get out there early.
After that, it drops off hard. Monday the 27th morning is glassy but weak, only 3.3ft and 185 energy – just average. From Tuesday the 28th, it’s a long run of small, onshore junk. Nothing to write home about for nearly a week.
Next window of hope is Monday the 3rd of August morning. The wind goes glassy calm and we get a 5.2ft south-southeast swell. The period is short at 7 seconds (268 energy), so the waves will be a bit dumpy, but the smooth surface will make it fun. Then Thursday the 6th of August morning shows a 3.9ft south-east swell with clean offshore wind at 267 energy – a solid session if you’re keen.
Outside of those few mornings, it’s mostly small, choppy, and not worth the drive. Stay patient and pick your moments.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 7°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu night, calm by Fri afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 6 | S 10 | S 9 | S 14 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 16 | S 15 | S 5 | S 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 86 | 64 | 94 | 755 | 422 | 1322 | 526 | 290 | 277 | 536 | 434 | 244 | 171 | 160 | 103 | 56 | 34 | 47 | 18 | 94 | 1291 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | on | cross-off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:41PM1.32m | 4:07AM0.89m | 4:36PM1.36m | 5:13AM0.89m | 5:26PM1.40m | 6:08AM0.93m | 6:12PM1.46m | 6:53AM0.97m | 6:53PM1.52m | 7:33AM1.02m | 7:32PM1.57m | 8:10AM1.07m | 8:08PM1.60m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:38PM0.50m | 9:37AM0.49m | 11:38PM0.44m | 10:34AM0.49m | 00:26AM0.38m | 11:27AM0.47m | 1:07AM0.32m | 12:14PM0.43m | 1:44AM0.26m | 12:57PM0.39m | 2:19AM0.21m | 1:38PM0.36m | 2:52AM0.17m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  |  |  | |
 | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — |
 | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:09 | — | — | 5:10 | — | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:12 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 14 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 15 | S 19 | S 19 |
| kJ | 86 | 64 | 45 | 463 | 422 | 1322 | 526 | 290 | 277 | 536 | 434 | 244 | 171 | 160 | 103 | 56 | 34 | 11 | 18 | 7 | 28 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | SE 14 | SE 16 | SE 14 | SE 15 | SSE 16 | S 8 | NE 6 | — |
| kJ | 8 | 7 | 7 | 28 | 23 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 47 | 5 | 1 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SSE 19 | — | E 9 | E 9 | E 8 | — | — | — | SE 17 | E 7 | E 8 | E 8 | S 14 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | SE 13 | — |
| kJ | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 37 | — | 7 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | — | SSW 6 | S 10 | — | — | W 3 | — | WSW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 2 | NNE 3 | NNE 3 | W 3 | WNW 3 | S 5 | S 9 |
| kJ | 1 | — | 94 | 755 | — | — | 5 | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 94 | 1291 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 83 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 46 | 205 | 11 |
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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