Shelley Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.36° S 151.51° E

Shelley Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 30 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Shelley Beach sea temperature is
17.6°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 29 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period, S swell with 184 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period with SE 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 (Aug 30) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 8s. 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 0.9m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Sun 30th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 10s
Best Surf 7AM (Sun 30th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 10s
Most Powerful 7AM (Tue 1st Sep)3ft (0.9m) 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 the menu for Shelley Beach over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there’s a small window of goodness. The standout morning is Sunday, August 30th. We’re looking at clean, glassy conditions with a 3ft south swell. The wind is glassy from the NNE at 5 km/h, so the surface will be like a mirror. The combined energy is moderate at 216, and with a 9-second period, those waves will have a bit of shape to them. It’s a consistent spot, so there should be something to ride. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

The theme for the next few days is small, clean, but ordinary surf. Tuesday morning, September 1st, offers a clean 3ft south swell with a longer 11-second period, making for a better shaped wave, but still small. The wind is a light cross-offshore, keeping things tidy.

Then we hit a dry spell. From Wednesday, September 2nd, through to around Sunday, September 6th, the surf is small and unremarkable, with heights dropping to 2ft and energy levels falling below 100 (weak). There’s a brief uptick on Sunday the 6th with a 3ft south swell, but the wind is cross-shore, making it a bit scrappy. Not worth a special trip.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting for the more experienced crew. On Thursday, September 10th, the swell picks up significantly. The morning sees a 8ft south swell with a 11-second period and a very strong combined energy of 1215. This is solid, powerful groundswell. The wind is a light cross-shore, so it won’t be completely clean, but for a spot that’s exposed to the south, it’s got potential. At this size, it’s well into the expert-only zone. The long period will mean longer lulls between sets, but the energy is there. The afternoon stays big at 6ft.

The following Friday, September 11th, still has a decent 5ft south swell, but the wind shifts to a cross-onshore, putting a bit of chop on the face. Not ideal.

After that, we fade back into smaller, cleaner, but very ordinary conditions through the middle of September. The last notable mention is Monday, September 14th, with a glassy 3ft swell from the ENE, but it’s only a 7-second period, so it’ll be a bit weak and crumbly.

Overall, the best bet is the glassy Sunday morning of August 30th for the small wave crew, and the big, powerful Thursday morning of September 10th for the experts who want some serious energy.

Rusty out.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
2
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
S
9
0.9
S
9
1
S
9
0.5
S
16
0.8
S
8
0.8
S
9
0.8
S
11
0.8
S
11
0.7
S
10
0.6
S
10
0.6
S
10
0.5
S
10
0.5
S
10
0.4
SSE
10
0.5
S
10
0.5
S
6
0.5
S
10
0.6
S
11
0.7
S
9
1.3
NE
5
0.8
ENE
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
97
126
171
124
90
106
146
146
104
75
77
50
46
34
46
19
49
91
85
89
61
Wind (km/h)
5
NNE
10
E
5
WSW
5
ENE
20
NE
10
N
15
N
15
NNW
15
NNW
15
NW
10
WNW
15
NNW
15
W
10
ESE
10
WSW
5
NE
20
ENE
10
WNW
20
NNE
25
N
30
WNW
Wind State
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-off
on
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
High Tide
9:27PM1.47m
10:01AM1.42m
10:07PM1.38m
10:41AM1.45m
10:52PM1.27m
11:26AM1.45m
11:44PM1.14m
12:20PM1.44m
00:50AM1.03m
1:25PM1.43m
2:14AM0.96m
2:40PM1.44m
3:44AM0.96m
Low Tide
3:21PM0.25m
3:46AM0.12m
4:05PM0.26m
4:20AM0.17m
4:55PM0.29m
4:58AM0.24m
5:52PM0.33m
5:42AM0.32m
7:01PM0.37m
6:37AM0.40m
8:22PM0.37m
7:47AM0.46m
9:46PM0.33m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
rain showers
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:15
6:13
6:13
6:11
6:09
6:09
6:07
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:34
5:35
5:35
5:36
5:37
5:37
5:37
 mm
3
Temp °C
16
16
15
16
16
16
24
27
20
27
27
22
23
22
17
18
18
16
25
26
20
Feels °C
14
14
15
13
13
14
20
22
17
23
24
19
21
19
14
13
14
14
20
21
16
  • 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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