
Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 2 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s period, SSE swell with 737 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period with SSE 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 Saturday (Aug 01) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 7s. 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 1.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s check what’s on the menu for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, we’ve got some decent action coming in. The first few days are looking pretty good, with a solid SSE swell running. Shelley Beach is the spot to be, and it’s a consistent break, so you know it’ll be working.
Saturday, August 1st kicks off with a cloudy morning, wind from the WSW at 6 mph giving us a clean cross-off breeze. Swell is 5 ft from the SSE with a period of 9 seconds. The combined energy is moderate, sitting at 396. The water temp is 65°, which is about normal for this time of year. The afternoon cleans right up – glassy conditions with ESE wind at just 3 mph, swell drops a touch to 5 ft, but it’s a winner for a late session.
Sunday, August 2nd is the real standout. Morning gets a NNE breeze at 6 mph, cross-off, and the swell is still 5 ft from the SSE, but the period bumps up to 11 seconds. The energy jumps to 716 – that’s got some proper push behind it. Very clean conditions. This is the best morning of the first week. The afternoon gets a bit messy with a 12 mph cross-shore NE wind, so get in early.
Monday, August 3rd is still fun. Morning offshore from the NW at 6 mph, swell drops to 3 ft from the SE, period 11 seconds, energy 250. Clean and tidy. Afternoon sees a lighter 9 mph NNW offshore, swell down to 3 ft – still surfable, but smaller.
After that, it goes quiet. Tuesday, August 4th through to Thursday, August 14th is a real dry spell. Plenty of poor surf and small, weak energy. There’s a gap of nearly two weeks where you’re not going to find much to get excited about. The swell just dies off, and when it does pop up, the wind is wrong or the conditions are ordinary.
But hold on – Saturday, August 15th is a long-range gem. Morning is clear, NNE wind at just 3 mph, a clean cross-off breeze. Swell is 3 ft from the SSE, but check the period: 21 seconds. That’s a very long groundswell. The energy is through the roof at 1008. This is a classic setup for a point break or reef, and Shelley Beach is exposed, so it’ll pick it up. The long period means the waves will have real shape and power, with long lulls between sets. Crowds are likely at this spot, so get in early. This is the best-looking session in the whole outlook, but it’s still a week and a half away, so keep an eye on the forecast.
Sunday, August 16th sees the swell building, with a morning of 4 ft from the S at 14 seconds, energy 1115, but the wind is cross-on from the east. The afternoon gets bigger at 8 ft from the SSE with 13 seconds and a massive 1994 energy, but again, cross-on wind. That’s expert territory in size, and the chop will be a factor.
So, the call is: Sunday, August 2nd morning is the best short-term bet. Clean, solid, and consistent. For the long-range, Saturday, August 15th morning is a promise of something special. Don’t bother with the middle of the month – it’s flat or poor.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 8°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 10 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
391 | 308 | 244 | 433 | 518 | 449 | 229 | 159 | 42 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 51 | 156 | 436 | 286 | 539 | 516 | 421 | 284 | 92 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:52PM1.53m | 10:36AM1.25m | 10:28PM1.45m | 11:16AM1.29m | 11:09PM1.35m | 12:01PM1.32m | 11:57PM1.24m | 12:52PM1.35m | 00:56AM1.12m | 1:51PM1.39m | 2:10AM1.03m | 2:58PM1.44m | 3:35AM0.98m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:36PM0.35m | 4:26AM0.13m | 4:19PM0.37m | 4:59AM0.16m | 5:08PM0.40m | 5:35AM0.19m | 6:03PM0.43m | 6:16AM0.25m | 7:10PM0.45m | 7:05AM0.31m | 8:28PM0.44m | 8:05AM0.36m | 9:50PM0.38m | ||||||||
6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SSE 10 | ESE 7 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | S 6 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 |
391 | 308 | 244 | 433 | 518 | 449 | 229 | 159 | 42 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 16 | 156 | 436 | 286 | 539 | 516 | 421 | 284 | 73 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | SE 13 | SSE 13 | SE 14 | SE 14 | NE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | ESE 8 | SSE 10 | ESE 7 | E 9 | S 10 | E 9 | E 8 | E 9 | ENE 9 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | SSE 9 |
2 | 44 | 209 | 280 | 186 | 18 | 12 | 2 | 19 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 51 | 27 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 92 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 12 | NE 7 | SE 15 | NE 9 | E 17 | S 21 | S 21 | E 15 | E 15 | S 5 | SSE 10 | S 10 | E 10 | E 18 | E 12 | E 12 | E 16 | E 9 | E 12 | E 15 | NE 6 |
3 | 2 | 107 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 31 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NNE 5 | NW 2 | NNW 3 | WNW 3 | W 3 | — | W 3 | — | — | WSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 |
— | — | — | — | 5 | 35 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 221 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 296 | 31 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 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.











