
Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, NE swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 10 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, NE swell with 1,682 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 3s is also forecast. 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 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 10) 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 1.1m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 10) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks at Shelley Beach. It’s a mixed bag, but there are a couple of real gems hiding in there if you’re patient.
The first part of the week is a bit of a write-off for anything decent. We’ve got a few small, weak waves around, but the conditions are just ordinary. The first real glimmer of hope comes on Friday morning, 14th August. The swell is a clean 4ft from the south with a decent 10-second period, giving it some shape. But the real kicker is the wind: glassy. Dead flat calm. That’s the kind of session you get up early for. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing to write home about, but with those conditions, you won’t care.
Now, the absolute standout is Sunday the 23rd of August. Mark it in your calendar. We’re looking at a solid 8ft swell from the south, with a 9-second period. That’s a lot of water moving, and the combined energy is a massive 1989 – that’s strong, powerful stuff. This is for experienced surfers only; it’s going to be too big for the beginners. The wind is glassy again in the morning, so you’ll be scoring clean, heavy walls. It’s a point break setup here, so that south swell will wrap in nicely. Expect a crowd though, because this is the kind of day everyone waits for.
The Monday after that, the 24th, is also looking fantastic. Another 5ft swell from the east with a very long 12-second period, and again, glassy calm winds. The energy is still strong at 1091. That long period means the waves will have plenty of grunt and hold their shape, but it might get a bit straight at the beach break – it’s a reef or point kind of wave. Keep an eye on the tide.
There are a couple of other days like the 20th with a glassy morning and 6ft swell, but the wind swings onshore and ruins it. The 22nd also has a glassy morning with 6ft from the east and a 10-second period, looking good for the early birds. But the 23rd is the real beast.
Honestly, it’s a quiet start, but the second week has some rippers. Don’t sleep on those Friday and Sunday sessions.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Sat night, fresh winds from the NE by Sun night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Wed afternoon, light winds from the WSW by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
63 | 113 | 143 | 289 | 630 | 325 | 110 | 65 | 65 | 141 | 44 | 49 | 50 | 647 | 1063 | 417 | 332 | 281 | 195 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:56AM1.00m | 5:11PM1.61m | 6:03AM1.06m | 6:09PM1.71m | 6:59AM1.13m | 7:01PM1.78m | 7:49AM1.20m | 7:50PM1.80m | 8:34AM1.27m | 8:36PM1.76m | 9:17AM1.32m | 9:19PM1.68m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:05PM0.28m | 10:25AM0.38m | 00:08AM0.16m | 11:31AM0.33m | 1:02AM0.07m | 12:29PM0.27m | 1:49AM-0.00m | 1:22PM0.22m | 2:33AM-0.03m | 2:12PM0.20m | 3:13AM-0.02m | 3:01PM0.20m | 3:50AM0.03m | ||||||
— | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:21 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 15 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 13 | 20 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | E 14 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 12 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 |
63 | 113 | 143 | 4 | 630 | 325 | 110 | 65 | 65 | 141 | 44 | 49 | 50 | 419 | 715 | 417 | 332 | 281 | 195 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | NE 4 | SSE 8 | S 8 | S 13 | NNE 6 | N 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | ENE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
14 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 45 | 34 | 20 | 22 | 29 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | S 6 | S 5 | S 13 | — | S 13 | E 13 | S 12 | S 12 | — | S 12 | S 10 | S 7 | S 20 | — | — | — | — | S 19 |
14 | 6 | 2 | 3 | — | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 18 | 1 | 8 | — | — | — | — | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 3 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | ENE 6 | NW 4 | NW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | NNW 3 | NW 3 | SW 4 | S 8 | S 10 | — | — | — | — |
1 | 10 | 10 | 289 | 24 | 37 | 21 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 36 | 647 | 1063 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 8 | 349 | 26 | 128 | 26 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 118 | 4 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 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.











