Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, S swell with 555 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s 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 Wednesday (Sep 02) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Shelley Beach in the next 16 days are 1.4m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about the surf over the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start, to be honest. The first few days offer only small, clean waves, but nothing to get excited about. The real energy builds later on, but it comes with a big caveat.
The Next Few Days (Now through to early next week)
The first real window of decent surf hits on Friday, September 4th. Shelley Beach (exposed, and it’s a consistent break) is looking at a solid pickup. We’re expecting a 3ft south swell, with long 10-second periods, and the wind is dead calm – glassy conditions. It’ll be clean, and the water is a comfortable 65°, which is pretty normal for this time of year. With a combined swell energy of 201 (moderate), it’s a good little session. Watch out for the crowds though, it can get busy here sometimes.
The Big Swell (Second Week – Possibly Too Much)
Now, for the next week, things get interesting but also a bit dangerous. From Wednesday, September 9th afternoon, the swell starts to build fast. By Thursday, September 10th, we’re looking at a 10ft south swell with 11-second periods, and winds are offshore from the NNW. The combined energy jumps to a massive 2476 (strong to very strong). This is big, powerful surf. The swell is predicted to be too big for this break, and honestly, at over 8ft, this is only for experts. The offshore wind will keep it clean, but it’s a serious ocean out there.
This continues into Friday, September 11th with a 10ft SSE swell at 13 seconds (very long period groundswell) and energy at 3399. Again, a clean, powerful, and very big swell. The long period will make the waves shape up well, but it’s still a beast. Saturday, September 12th sees the peak, with a 12ft south swell and energy hitting 4485, but the wind swings cross-shore and then cross-onshore, making it messy. Avoid.
The Wrap-Up (Second Week)
After that big pulse, things settle down. Sunday, September 13th is still lumpy with a dropping 6ft swell, but the wind is messy. Monday, September 14th offers a small 4ft ESE swell, but the wind is cross-onshore. Tuesday, September 15th morning is the pick of the later period: a clean 3ft south swell with light cross-offshore winds, but it’s only a brief window. The rest of that week is a mix of marginal and poor conditions.
Best Bet:
If you’re an expert, Thursday, September 10th at Shelley Beach is the standout – but it’s only for the brave. For the average punter, Friday, September 4th morning is your best bet for a clean, fun, and manageable wave.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the NE by Mon morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 12 | S 10 | S 13 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
146 | 102 | 75 | 78 | 50 | 50 | 52 | 33 | 175 | 71 | 27 | 71 | 46 | 27 | 517 | 219 | 209 | 354 | 225 | 180 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:52PM1.27m | 11:26AM1.45m | 11:44PM1.14m | 12:20PM1.44m | 00:50AM1.03m | 1:25PM1.43m | 2:14AM0.96m | 2:40PM1.44m | 3:44AM0.96m | 3:54PM1.49m | 4:59AM1.02m | 5:00PM1.56m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:55PM0.29m | 4:58AM0.24m | 5:52PM0.33m | 5:42AM0.32m | 7:01PM0.37m | 6:37AM0.40m | 8:22PM0.37m | 7:47AM0.46m | 9:46PM0.33m | 9:08AM0.47m | 10:57PM0.24m | 10:24AM0.43m | 11:54PM0.15m | |||||||
— | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | |
5:35 | — | — | 5:36 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 20 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 27 | 25 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 27 | 25 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 21 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 5 | S 10 | S 9 | S 7 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 | S 12 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 |
146 | 102 | 75 | 78 | 50 | 50 | 52 | 14 | 175 | 71 | 27 | 71 | 46 | 27 | 517 | 219 | 153 | 354 | 225 | 180 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | NE 5 | ENE 10 | SSE 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | NE 4 | E 9 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | S 13 | S 13 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 6 |
8 | 20 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 7 | 19 | 33 | 19 | 17 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 158 | 209 | 8 | 7 | 67 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 11 | ENE 10 | NE 6 | NE 5 | SSE 13 | ENE 10 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | S 18 | S 11 | — | E 9 | E 11 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 8 | NE 8 | — | — |
37 | 33 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 18 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 20 | — | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 3 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | NW 2 | NW 3 | NNE 5 | — | NW 3 | SW 3 | W 3 | — | E 3 | — | NNE 4 | WNW 4 | — | — | ESE 2 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 6 |
26 | 1 | 2 | 21 | — | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | 4 | — | 7 | 16 | — | — | 1 | 5 | 9 | 29 | 132 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 83 | 0 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 216 | 0 | 8 | 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.











