Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s period, E swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 11s period, E swell with 924 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 11s 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 Monday (Jul 20) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s. 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 2.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 11s |
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 offer at Shelley Beach over the next couple of weeks.
We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but don’t write it off just yet. The first couple of days are pretty average, with onshore winds and a bit of a bumpy ocean. But hold tight, because the second half of the week and into the weekend is where things start to get interesting.
The real standout is going to be the morning of Monday the 28th of July. The swell is solid at 8ft out of the S, with a long period of 13 seconds. That’s proper groundswell with some serious push. The wind is light and cross-off, keeping things clean. The combined wave energy is a hefty 2676, so you’ll feel the power. This is a day for experienced surfers, as it’s well over the 8ft mark for the afternoon session, but the morning is a beauty. The crowd situation at Shelley Beach can be “sometimes” busy, so get in early.
Don’t sleep on the 29th of July either. Wednesday morning is looking excellent for experienced surfers with a 8ft S swell and a 13-second period, and clean offshore winds from the NW. The energy is strong at 1951. That afternoon holds up nicely too, with a 7ft S swell and continuing offshore winds.
The water temperature is sitting at 66°F, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
There’s a big pulse forecast for the afternoon of the 28th, but it’s predicted to be too big for this break at 12ft. That’s a warning for the crew on the beach.
Wind and conditions look good for the 30th as well, with a 5ft SSE swell and glassy conditions in the morning. That’s a solid, clean option.
The first week of August brings another excellent pulse on the morning of Monday the 3rd. A 7ft SSE swell with a 13-second period and light winds, giving you a 2036 energy reading. That’s another one for the experienced crew.
So, to sum it up: the first few days are a bit meh, but from the 24th of July onward, the quality picks up. The absolute best on offer is the morning of the 28th and the 29th of July. The 3rd of August is also a promising call, but it’s a bit further out, so keep an eye on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 7°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 11 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 6 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 13 | S 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 924 | 656 | 734 | 682 | 584 | 432 | 294 | 250 | 305 | 161 | 121 | 94 | 70 | 50 | 635 | 386 | 320 | 121 | 285 | 440 | 451 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | glassy | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:09PM1.27m | 00:01AM1.34m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:59PM0.42m | 6:30AM0.22m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — |
 | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — | 5:08 | — | — | 5:09 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 9 | 14 | 17 | 10 | 19 | 18 | 14 |
Feels °C | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 10 | 14 | 4 | 16 | 13 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | E 11 | E 11 | E 11 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 12 | S 13 | S 11 |
| kJ | 924 | 656 | 734 | 682 | 584 | 432 | 294 | 250 | 305 | 161 | 121 | 94 | 70 | 44 | 390 | 386 | 320 | 121 | 285 | 440 | 451 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 17 | SSE 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 17 | SSW 7 | S 9 | NE 8 |
| kJ | 101 | 85 | 119 | 141 | 134 | 84 | 55 | 31 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 9 | 2 | 17 | 28 | 14 | 14 | 59 | 47 | 123 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | SE 16 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | S 15 | S 14 | S 12 | — | — | — | E 8 | E 8 | — | S 22 | ENE 8 | SSE 18 | ENE 8 | S 18 |
| kJ | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 17 | 4 | 12 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 9 | 7 | 108 | 6 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 3 | NE 5 | — | — | W 2 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | S 9 | WNW 3 | WNW 2 | SSW 6 | — | — | W 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 68 | — | — | 1 | 52 | 50 | 635 | 1 | 1 | 60 | — | — | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 41 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 110 | 8 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.
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