
Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s period, ENE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, NE swell with 717 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period with E 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 05) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s is also forecast. 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 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, mate, it’s a pretty lean stretch ahead. We’ve got a long gap before anything really worth paddling out for shows up. For the first week or so, the swell is tiny and the conditions are just ordinary – you’ll be sitting out there on a knee-high ripple more often than not. The water temp is sitting around 64.4°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.
The real standout, the one you want to circle on the calendar, is Friday morning, the 14th of August, at Shelley Beach. That morning, we’ve got a clean 3.6 ft swell rolling in from the south, with a 10-second period. The wind is offshore from the WNW at just 3.1 mph, so it’s going to be glassy and clean – proper surfable conditions. The combined energy of all swells is strong at 360. That’s the best wave of the whole forecast by a long shot. Crowds are possible there, so get in early.
Before that, there’s not much to get excited about. The morning of Monday the 10th sees a bit of a push with a 4.9 ft east-northeast swell, but the 21.7 mph offshore wind, while clean, is going to be a handful and the quality is still poor. The energy is strong at 371, but it’s not coming together for a good wave.
Beyond that 14th, it drops away again pretty quickly. The rest of the second week is all small, messy, or onshore junk. The morning of Thursday the 20th is the last gasp, and it’s barely a ripple.
So, short story: if you’re keen, save your energy for that Friday the 14th morning session at Shelley Beach. The rest of the 16-day window is mostly a write-off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 9°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 10 | E 9 | SSE 12 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 8 | SSE 9 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 13 | S 12 | ENE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
31 | 27 | 27 | 45 | 105 | 38 | 64 | 88 | 47 | 50 | 30 | 63 | 129 | 99 | 287 | 368 | 180 | 47 | 206 | 71 | 77 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:52PM1.35m | 00:56AM1.12m | 1:51PM1.39m | 2:10AM1.03m | 2:58PM1.44m | 3:35AM0.98m | 4:06PM1.52m | 4:56AM1.00m | 5:11PM1.61m | 6:03AM1.06m | 6:09PM1.71m | 6:59AM1.13m | 7:01PM1.78m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:10PM0.45m | 7:05AM0.31m | 8:28PM0.44m | 8:05AM0.36m | 9:50PM0.38m | 9:15AM0.39m | 11:05PM0.28m | 10:25AM0.38m | 00:08AM0.16m | 11:31AM0.33m | 1:02AM0.07m | 12:29PM0.27m | 1:49AM-0.00m | ||||||||
6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 18 | 18 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 4 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | S 8 | S 7 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 13 | S 9 | ENE 10 |
31 | 27 | 6 | 45 | 105 | 38 | 64 | 88 | 47 | 50 | 27 | 63 | 129 | 99 | 1 | 368 | 180 | 47 | 206 | 57 | 77 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | S 5 | E 8 | SSW 5 | E 9 | SSE 10 | S 9 | ENE 8 | E 7 | SSE 9 | E 8 | NE 4 | S 6 | SSE 8 | E 14 | S 9 | S 13 | SSW 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | S 8 |
5 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 15 | 38 | 38 | 22 | 27 | 35 | 22 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 49 | 55 | 33 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 9 | SSE 12 | E 10 | NE 7 | S 9 | ENE 9 | E 15 | S 8 | ENE 7 | SSE 9 | S 7 | SSE 8 | S 5 | SE 10 | S 7 | S 13 | E 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
2 | 2 | 27 | 16 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 19 | 18 | 30 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 71 | 60 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | — | W 3 | SW 5 | — | NNE 3 | — | — | — | — | ENE 7 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 4 | ENE 8 | WNW 4 | W 4 | W 4 | NW 3 | NW 2 | NW 3 |
1 | — | 2 | 28 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 18 | 16 | 19 | 14 | 287 | 31 | 37 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 41 | 9 | 0 | 170 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 83 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 233 | 112 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
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.











