Shelley Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.36° S 151.51° E

Shelley Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 pm 23 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Shelley Beach sea temperature is
17.5°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 23 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 11s period, SSE swell with 297 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 1.1m and 5s is also forecast. 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 1.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 1AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Mon 24th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 10s
Best Surf 7AM (Mon 24th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 10s
Most Powerful 4PM (Fri 28th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

Alright, this is Rusty comin' at ya from the beach. Let's see what we've got cookin' over the next couple of weeks.

Alright, so it's a bit of a slow burn for the next few days, but there's some real gold dust later on if you've got the patience. We're starting with a decent southerly groundswell that's gonna build through the week, but the wind is gonna be a bit of a mixed bag. The water's sittin' at about 64°, which is pretty much bang on for this time of year, so no need for a 5mm steamer just yet.

Monday morning the 24th of August is our first real look-in. Shelley Beach is clean with a light cross-off breeze from the NNE, and a little 3ft southerly swell. It's not gonna be big, but it'll be clean and fun on the longboard. The combined energy is moderate (210), so there's a bit of push behind it.

The tide and wind turn a bit ugly for a couple of days, but Tuesday afternoon the 25th is a sneaky one. The wind goes offshore from the NW, light, and the swell bumps up to 5ft from the NE. The period is short at 7 seconds, so it'll be a bit crumbly and on the smaller side, but it's clean. The wave energy is moderate (368).

Thursday morning the 27th is a standout. We get a glassy morning, winds are dead calm from the south at just 3 mph. The swell is 5ft from the south with a period of 8 seconds, and the energy is solid (349). It's gonna be a bit of a paddle, but those waves will be peeling nicely. Look for a corner.

Friday morning the 28th is another glassy one. The swell drops a touch to 3ft from the south, but it's got a longer 9-second period, so the lines will be cleaner. The energy is moderate (260). Early morning, get out there.

Now, hold onto your boardies, because Monday morning the 31st of August is when it gets interesting. The swell is only 2ft, but the period is a massive 19 seconds – that's a proper long-period groundswell. It's comin' from the south, so it'll wrap in nicely. The energy is strong (383). A swell this long will be super clean, but because it's a beach break, it might be a bit too straight and fat. Find a bank, or better yet, if there's a rivermouth or a reef nearby, that's where it'll be. The morning is glassy.

Tuesday morning the 1st of September is also a beauty. Another glassy morning, 3ft of south swell with a 14-second period. The energy is strong (371). This is a long, clean, powerful paddle. Get ready for long waits between sets, but the waves that come through will be worth it.

The second week drops off a lot. The swell gets small and the wind is all over the place. Sunday morning the 6th of September gives us a final blast. We get a clean 3ft south swell with a 12-second period and a light offshore breeze from the NW. The energy is moderate (306). The afternoon is also clean with an offshore, but the wind is a bit stronger at 12 mph. It's a good way to finish the run.

So, the best of the bunch is Thursday morning the 27th of August and Monday morning the 31st of August for that long-period, glassy, out-of-this-world feel. The 31st is a little more promising because of the massive period, but it could be tricky. Crowds are possible at Shelley Beach on the good days, so get there early.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sun
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
1
2
0
1
1
2
1
0
0
0
2
0
2
2
0
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)
1.1
SSE
8
1
S
10
0.8
S
10
0.7
S
10
1.3
NE
6
1.5
NE
7
1.4
NE
7
1
ENE
8
1
ENE
8
0.9
ENE
8
1.2
S
7
1.4
S
8
1.2
S
8
0.8
S
10
1
S
9
1.1
SSE
11
1
SSE
10
1
SSE
9
1.1
SSE
10
0.9
SSE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
149
210
121
89
115
189
211
123
119
98
142
277
196
133
157
297
209
189
210
130
Wind (km/h)
15
ENE
20
NNE
10
NNE
30
NE
20
NNE
15
N
10
NW
10
NW
10
SSW
30
S
15
S
5
S
10
E
5
N
5
NE
10
E
5
E
10
SSE
10
E
5
W
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
4:58PM1.35m
5:47AM0.94m
5:46PM1.42m
6:29AM1.01m
6:27PM1.49m
7:06AM1.09m
7:04PM1.54m
7:41AM1.17m
7:40PM1.57m
8:15AM1.25m
8:15PM1.57m
8:49AM1.32m
8:50PM1.54m
Low Tide
11:58PM0.39m
11:07AM0.50m
00:37AM0.32m
11:56AM0.43m
1:11AM0.24m
12:39PM0.37m
1:43AM0.18m
1:19PM0.32m
2:14AM0.13m
1:59PM0.28m
2:44AM0.10m
2:39PM0.26m
3:14AM0.10m
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:22
6:20
6:20
6:18
6:18
6:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:29
5:30
5:30
5:30
5:31
5:32
5:32
 mm
3
4
1
1
Temp °C
17
17
19
18
18
23
20
17
18
16
16
15
15
15
16
16
16
16
16
15
Feels °C
14
14
15
14
15
19
19
16
16
13
14
14
13
14
14
14
16
15
15
15
  • 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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