Shelley Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.36° S 151.51° E

Shelley Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 am 20 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Shelley Beach sea temperature is
18.8° C
0.6° 

Shelley Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Shelley Beach surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 25 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s period, S swell with 806 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period with ENE 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. 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 Saturday (Jul 25) 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Mon 20th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 10s
Best Surf10PM (Mon 20th Jul)5ft (1.6m) 10s
Most Powerful 4AM (Sat 25th Jul)5ft (1.5m) 13s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s on offer over the next couple of weeks. It’s gonna be a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s a couple of sessions that’ll get the blood pumping.

First up, Monday the 20th morning at Shelley Beach is looking prime. The water’s sitting at 66°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year. We’ve got a solid 6 ft swell rolling in from the east, with a nice 11-second period – that’s proper groundswell, bringing some real push. The combined energy is a solid 819 (moderate), and with the wind glassy as all hell, it’s gonna be clean as a whistle. This is the standout of the early run, no doubt.

Tuesday the 21st morning sees the swell dropping to 4 ft from the east-northeast, but with a light offshore breeze, it’ll still be clean and fun. The energy drops to 410 (moderate), so it’s not as punchy, but a good option for a few waves.

Wednesday the 22nd morning is more of the same, with a 3 ft east-northeast swell and a light offshore wind. The energy is down to 226 (weak to moderate), but it’s clean and surfable.

There’s a bit of a lull on Thursday the 23rd and into the weekend, with smaller, weaker swells and cross-shore winds. Not worth writing home about.

Now, hang on to your boardies for Friday the 24th morning. The swell jumps back up to 7 ft, this time from the south, with a 9-second period. Combined energy is 743 (moderate), and we’ve got clean, cross-offshore winds. This is the second real standout – a solid wall of south swell, clean and with some power.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th mornings see the swell drop a little, but still offering 4 ft to 5 ft south swells. The winds are cross-offshore, keeping it fairly clean. The energy is moderate (463 and 457). The long period of 12 seconds on Saturday morning means the sets will be a bit more spaced out, but the waves will have better shape.

Monday the 27th morning is a return to 4 ft south swell with a light offshore wind. A solid, clean option.

The second week gets a bit shaky. By the end of July and into early August, the swells get small and the winds turn onshore. There’s a big spike on Monday the 3rd of August, with a 13 ft south swell and a combined energy of 6616 (strong!). But mate, that’s way too big for Shelley Beach – it’s basically a washing machine for experts only, and the forecast says it’s too big. Tuesday the 4th of August though, that’s the one to keep an eye on in the long range. The swell drops to 6 ft from the south, with a gentle offshore wind from the north-northwest. The energy is 558 (moderate), and the conditions look primo. It’s a promising call, but a week and a half out, so treat it with a bit of caution.

In short, the absolute best bets are Monday the 20th morning and Friday the 24th morning. Don’t sleep on Tuesday the 4th of August if the long-range forecast holds.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 8°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri morning).

Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
Friday
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
3
2
0
2
2
0
0
1
0
0
3
1
2
1
1
2
1
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.7
E
11
1.6
E
11
1.4
ENE
10
1.3
ENE
10
1.1
ENE
10
1.2
ENE
10
1
ENE
10
0.9
ENE
10
0.9
ENE
9
0.7
ENE
9
0.6
ENE
9
1.3
SSW
6
2
S
9
1.5
S
9
0.9
SSE
17
1.3
S
12
1.2
S
12
1.4
S
12
1.4
S
11
1.2
S
10
1.3
S
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
669
595
426
349
250
253
197
159
124
84
64
139
709
348
465
449
383
563
451
284
313
Wind (km/h)
0
S
15
NE
10
NW
10
N
15
NE
10
NNW
10
WNW
10
ESE
20
W
15
W
15
SW
25
WSW
10
WSW
10
ENE
15
W
15
WSW
5
ENE
15
W
20
SW
20
SSE
15
WSW
Wind State
glassy
cross
off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
on
cross-off
High Tide
12:59PM1.28m
00:51AM1.17m
1:51PM1.29m
1:47AM1.03m
2:45PM1.31m
2:54AM0.93m
3:41PM1.32m
4:07AM0.89m
4:36PM1.36m
5:13AM0.89m
5:26PM1.40m
6:08AM0.93m
6:12PM1.46m
Low Tide
7:01PM0.48m
7:10AM0.31m
8:11PM0.52m
7:53AM0.39m
9:27PM0.53m
8:42AM0.45m
10:38PM0.50m
9:37AM0.49m
11:38PM0.44m
10:34AM0.49m
00:26AM0.38m
11:27AM0.47m
1:07AM0.32m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:52
6:52
6:52
6:52
6:50
6:50
6:50
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:06
5:07
5:07
5:07
5:08
5:09
5:09
 mm
Temp °C
15
15
15
15
16
15
19
19
16
18
18
11
13
13
10
17
18
13
17
16
15
Feels °C
14
13
13
12
14
13
16
16
12
14
13
4
10
10
5
14
15
9
12
12
12
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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