
Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 6 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, S swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, S swell with 2,448 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 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 Sunday (Sep 06) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 2.5m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Shelley Beach in the next 16 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 09) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sun 6th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down this stretch. We’ve got a slow start, but there’s some real power coming if you can wait.
The first few days are a total loss. Sunday the 6th is a mess with cross and cross-onshore winds, choppy surf, and the energy is weak. Monday the 7th morning is the first real look. The wind goes glassy at Shelley Beach, with a clean 5ft SSE swell at 8 seconds. It’s not big, but that light NNW breeze will make it a dream to paddle out. The energy is moderate. This is a nice little window for a longboard or fun shape, but it’s not the big one.
Tuesday the 8th gets bigger but the wind swings cross-on, turning 8ft of S swell into a choppy mess. No good. Wednesday the 9th is even worse with strong cross-onshore winds. Thursday the 10th morning is a monster – 10ft S swell at 10 seconds, with massive energy. That’s a lot of water, but it’s too big for this exposed beach. The wind is cross-shore, so it’s a chaotic, washing-machine situation. Experts only if they’re keen.
After that, we get a lull. Friday the 11th through to Tuesday the 15th are all mediocre. The swell drops and the wind keeps it lumpy or onshore. There’s a clean moment on Sunday the 13th morning with a 4ft SSE swell and a cross-off breeze, but it’s small and inconsistent. Not worth the trip.
Now, here’s the good stuff. Wednesday the 16th morning is a real gem. The wind is light and cross-off from the west, the swell is 4ft from the south at a lovely 12 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The energy is solid, and it’s clean. This is a fun, quality day at Shelley Beach. The water is sitting at 65°F, which is about average for this time of year.
But the real standout is Friday the 18th. Holy moly. The morning shows a 16ft S swell at 12 seconds, with extreme energy. The wind is light and cross-off from the north, keeping it clean. The afternoon is similar, 16ft at 13 seconds, even more energy. This is serious, heavy groundswell. It’s too big for beginners and most intermediates – this is expert territory. The long period means it’ll be powerful and might close out the beach, but for the chargers, this is the one. Crowds are possible, so expect a few other locals.
Saturday the 19th morning is another cracker. The swell drops to 8ft from the SSE at 12 seconds, but the wind is glassy – dead calm from the ENE. That’s as good as it gets. The energy is still strong, and it’s clean. This is a much more manageable size for a strong intermediate, and it’ll be beautiful. The same goes for Sunday the 20th morning: 6ft SSE at 13 seconds, with a light cross-off breeze. It’s clean, long-period, and the energy is high. A fantastic way to end the run.
So, to sum it up: the first week is mostly a washout with a couple of clean but small windows. The second week has two absolute standouts – Friday the 18th for the big-wave crew, and Saturday the 19th morning for the glassy, solid conditions. If you can only get out once, make it the 19th.
Stay safe, and don’t be a hero on the 18th if you’re not ready.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the S by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the S on Wed afternoon, light winds from the SSW by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 7 | S 8 | S 10 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | S 8 | S 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
74 | 137 | 838 | 257 | 336 | 650 | 1137 | 755 | 466 | 288 | 828 | 2448 | 1738 | 1330 | 1855 | 961 | 896 | 1207 | 862 | 599 | 386 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 3:54PM1.49m | 4:59AM1.02m | 5:00PM1.56m | 5:57AM1.12m | 5:57PM1.63m | 6:45AM1.22m | 6:46PM1.66m | 7:28AM1.31m | 7:31PM1.65m | 8:07AM1.40m | 8:14PM1.59m | 8:44AM1.46m | 8:54PM1.50m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:57PM0.24m | 10:24AM0.43m | 11:54PM0.15m | 11:28AM0.35m | 00:41AM0.08m | 12:24PM0.28m | 1:23AM0.04m | 1:14PM0.21m | 2:00AM0.03m | 2:01PM0.17m | 2:35AM0.06m | 2:47PM0.17m | 3:07AM0.11m | ||||||||
6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
— | 5:38 | — | — | 5:38 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:40 | — | — | 5:42 | — | — | 5:43 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 15 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | ENE 6 | S 10 | SSE 8 | SSE 9 | E 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | ESE 13 | ESE 11 | S 10 | ESE 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 |
12 | 4 | 838 | 257 | 336 | 8 | 938 | 755 | 466 | 288 | 17 | 24 | 1250 | 18 | 1308 | 961 | 896 | 849 | 862 | 599 | 386 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 11 | E 10 | ENE 10 | E 10 | E 10 | — | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 9 | ENE 9 | SSW 16 | ESE 10 | E 15 | ESE 9 | E 15 | E 14 | E 13 | E 14 | SSE 18 | SSE 19 |
9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 8 | — | 7 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 50 | 39 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 15 | 30 | 69 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 14 | E 10 | NE 8 | N 8 | — | — | — | NE 9 | — | E 17 | NE 16 | SSE 18 | E 15 | E 15 | S 21 | E 10 | E 9 | E 9 | E 14 | E 13 |
— | 4 | 8 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | — | 6 | 10 | 32 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 7 | S 8 | — | — | — | S 8 | S 9 | — | — | — | SSE 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | — | — | S 10 | — | — | — |
74 | 137 | — | — | — | 650 | 1137 | — | — | — | 828 | 2448 | 1738 | 1330 | 1855 | — | — | 1207 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 11 | 610 | 0 | 0 | 434 | 180 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 764 | 125 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 205 | 0 | 11 | 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.










