Shelley Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.36° S 151.51° E

Shelley Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 9 pm 16 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Shelley Beach sea temperature is
18.4° C
0.1° 

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 16 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 24 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 24 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, S swell with 1,411 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 17 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s 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 Friday (Jul 17) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Shelley Beach in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 24) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Fri 17th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 7s
Best Surf 4AM (Fri 24th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Most Powerful 4AM (Fri 24th Jul)10ft (3.0m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Shelley Beach over the next couple of weeks.

To be honest, it’s a bit of a slow start. The first few days are pretty ordinary – Friday and Saturday are a write-off with onshore winds and small, messy waves. The energy is weak (108–246), and the wind is just spoiling any chance of a clean face. Not worth paddling out for.

The first real chance of something decent rolls in on Monday morning, the 20th of July. The wind goes glassy out of the west, and we’ve got a solid 5 ft swell from the east-northeast with a 10-second period. The energy is moderate (593), and the conditions are looking clean. This is your best early window. Shelley Beach is consistently exposed to the southeast, so this ENE swell will wrap in nicely. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual. Crowds are possible here, so if you can sneak out early, you’ll have a good time.

Tuesday morning, the 21st, is also glassy again with 4 ft from the same direction. Clean, but a touch smaller. Wednesday morning holds up with 4 ft and a cross-off breeze, so still rideable.

Then things get a bit wild. On Friday the 24th of July, the swell jumps to 12 ft from the south (energy is a massive 3926). That’s only for the brave – this is expert territory, and the wind is cross-shore, making it a bit lumpy. Not for the faint-hearted. The combo of size and cross-shore chop means this might be more interesting for the kite crew than paddle surfing.

The following week, the standout is Monday morning, the 27th of July. We’ve got 5 ft from the southeast with a very long 12-second period, cross-off wind, and clean conditions. The energy is moderate (785), and it’s shaping up to be a really nice session. That long period groundswell will give you plenty of power, but it’ll be better if you’re on a point or reef – at a beach break it might throw a bit too straight.

After that, the end of the month and into early August looks pretty average again with onshore winds and messy conditions. The long-range stuff on the 30th and 31st has some interesting swell but the wind’s all wrong.

So, if you’re picking your moment: Monday morning, July 20th is the pick of the early period – glassy, clean, and fun. Monday morning, July 27th is the long-range standout – a bit more power and still clean. Lock those in.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
3
1
2
2
1
2
2
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)
1.3
S
7
0.8
S
6
0.9
E
6
1.3
ESE
6
1.2
ESE
7
1.2
E
7
1.6
E
9
2
E
11
1.8
E
10
1.7
ENE
10
1.6
ENE
10
1.5
ENE
10
1.5
ENE
10
1.3
ENE
10
1.2
ENE
10
1.1
ENE
10
1.1
ENE
10
0.9
ENE
9
1
ENE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
168
51
64
119
121
155
381
935
679
598
482
416
433
307
258
205
210
153
158
Wind (km/h)
10
ESE
5
SSW
10
SE
15
SSE
20
SSE
20
SE
15
SE
15
ESE
10
ESE
10
ENE
5
W
15
NE
10
NNW
5
WNW
10
ENE
5
WNW
5
N
20
NE
15
NW
Wind State
on
cross
on
cross-on
on
on
on
cross-on
on
cross
glassy
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
High Tide
10:32AM1.23m
10:29PM1.67m
11:20AM1.25m
11:15PM1.51m
12:09PM1.27m
00:01AM1.34m
12:59PM1.28m
00:51AM1.17m
1:51PM1.29m
1:47AM1.03m
2:45PM1.31m
2:54AM0.93m
Low Tide
4:28AM-0.02m
4:07PM0.28m
5:10AM0.04m
5:01PM0.35m
5:51AM0.13m
5:59PM0.42m
6:30AM0.22m
7:01PM0.48m
7:10AM0.31m
8:11PM0.52m
7:53AM0.39m
9:27PM0.53m
rain showers
rain showers
clear
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
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>
6:54
6:54
6:54
6:52
6:52
6:52
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:05
5:05
5:06
5:06
5:07
5:07
 mm
7
2
2
Temp °C
16
16
16
16
17
17
17
17
16
16
16
17
16
15
17
16
18
20
18
Feels °C
15
15
14
14
13
13
13
13
14
14
14
14
13
13
16
15
15
16
15
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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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