Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SSE swell with 781 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Shelley Beach in the next 16 days are 1.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) 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 1.3m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s look at what’s coming for Shelley Beach in feet and Fahrenheit.
The next couple weeks are a real mixed bag. Tuesday afternoon the 25th starts off with some light rain and a weak 3.3ft swell from the east-northeast, but the cross-off wind keeps it clean enough for a paddle – just nothing special. Wednesday is a total washout with poor surf, and Thursday stays marginal. The real gem is Friday morning the 28th of August. You’ve got glassy conditions, a clean 5.0ft SSE swell with a solid 11-second period, and the wave energy is strong at 572. That’s the standout session of the entire period. The water temp is 63.7°F, pretty average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The swell direction lines up perfectly with Shelley’s optimum southeast exposure.
After that Friday peak, it drops back into a mix of marginal and poor through the weekend and into Monday. Monday morning the 31st has another glassy window with a 3.9ft S swell, clean but not as powerful. Tuesday and Wednesday the 1st and 2nd of September stay small and clean but weak, and by Wednesday afternoon we’re down to 1.3ft – basically flat. We hit a real lull from the 2nd through the 4th, with almost nothing worth mentioning. Then Saturday morning the 5th of September gives a clean 4.3ft S swell from a NNE breeze, rideable but not a highlight.
The second week fades out with more poor and marginal conditions, with moderate winds and chop taking over. The one day to mark on your calendar is Friday the 28th of August – glassy, 5.0ft, long period, and clean. That’s your day. The rest is mostly filler.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 6 | SSE 7 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 18 | SSE 17 | SSE 10 | S 12 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 123 | 95 | 149 | 232 | 465 | 413 | 252 | 551 | 424 | 277 | 267 | 250 | 144 | 123 | 269 | 572 | 499 | 124 | 377 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | glassy | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 7:06AM1.09m | 7:04PM1.54m | 7:41AM1.17m | 7:40PM1.57m | 8:15AM1.25m | 8:15PM1.57m | 8:49AM1.32m | 8:50PM1.54m | 9:24AM1.38m | 9:27PM1.47m | 10:01AM1.42m | 10:07PM1.38m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 3:21PM0.25m | 3:46AM0.12m | 4:05PM0.26m | |||||||
 |  | |  |  |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:32 | — | — | 5:34 | — | — | 5:35 | — |
mm | 4 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 17 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | SSE 7 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 17 | SSE 10 | S 12 |
| kJ | 123 | 95 | 82 | 232 | 465 | 413 | 252 | 551 | 424 | 277 | 267 | 195 | 144 | 123 | 269 | 134 | 499 | 120 | 377 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 18 | S 10 | S 16 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 14 | 6 | 10 | 58 | 41 | 35 | 43 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 188 | 250 | 125 | 86 | 26 | 572 | 145 | 124 | 27 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 16 | — | S 11 | S 15 | S 15 | SSE 14 | S 13 | S 14 | S 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | SSE 18 | ENE 10 | ENE 9 | S 12 | NE 3 |
| kJ | 21 | 5 | — | 2 | 17 | 38 | 61 | 85 | 15 | 23 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 26 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 70 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 2 | SW 3 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 3 |
| kJ | 1 | 2 | 149 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 131 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
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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