Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 14 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period, S swell with 328 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s 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 (Aug 16) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 18s. 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 1.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s break down the next couple of weeks at Shelley Beach.
First off, the water is running a bit colder than normal for this time of year, about 63.1°, so you might want a thicker suit.
The start of the forecast is pretty quiet. From Friday the 14th through most of the following week, there’s not much to get excited about. The swell is small, the winds are mostly cross-onshore or onshore, and the combined energy is weak, mostly in the low to mid hundreds, with short periods under 8 seconds. The waves are just messy and weak. There are a few marginal windows, like Saturday morning the 15th with a light cross-shore breeze and 3.3ft of S swell, but it’s still a gamble. This stretch really drags on until the end of the second week.
Then, it lights up. The real standout is Tuesday the 25th. Get up early for that morning. The forecast shows a solid 8.2ft of S swell, a 10-second period, and glassy conditions. The combined energy is a massive 1463 (strong). That’s a proper groundswell, and with the glassy surface, Shelley Beach will be firing for experienced surfers. It’s too big for beginners, but for the experts, that’s the session. Wednesday the 26th morning is also a gem, with a clean cross-offshore breeze, 7.5ft of S swell, and energy at 1230. Another excellent window for the skilled crew.
Later in the week, Thursday the 27th afternoon has a clean cross-offshore breeze and 4.9ft of SSE swell, which should be a solid, fun option. But the one to circle is definitely Tuesday the 25th morning.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri night, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | S 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 72 | 169 | 229 | 157 | 150 | 211 | 93 | 113 | 96 | 93 | 76 | 76 | 93 | 103 | 134 | 120 | 85 | 64 | 86 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:58AM1.36m | 10:01PM1.54m | 10:39AM1.38m | 10:43PM1.39m | 11:21AM1.37m | 11:25PM1.23m | 12:04PM1.35m | 00:11AM1.08m | 12:53PM1.32m | 1:06AM0.96m | 1:49PM1.28m | 2:17AM0.88m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:50AM0.03m | 3:50PM0.23m | 4:26AM0.10m | 4:39PM0.29m | 5:00AM0.19m | 5:30PM0.36m | 5:34AM0.29m | 6:26PM0.44m | 6:11AM0.39m | 7:30PM0.50m | 6:54AM0.47m | 8:46PM0.53m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | — | 5:23 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:25 | — | — | 5:27 | — | — | 5:27 | — |
mm | 2 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 19 | SSE 7 | SSE 18 | SSE 18 | S 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | S 11 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | E 7 |
| kJ | 72 | 169 | 70 | 157 | 61 | 61 | 93 | 113 | 96 | 93 | 76 | 55 | 93 | 103 | 134 | 120 | 85 | 64 | 86 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 10 | SSE 18 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ESE 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | ESE 14 | ESE 12 | ESE 10 | S 8 | — | S 14 | — | S 12 |
| kJ | 28 | 17 | 18 | 60 | 10 | 10 | 19 | 81 | 74 | 31 | 22 | 73 | 81 | 94 | 12 | — | 4 | — | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 9 | SSE 19 | — | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | S 15 | SSE 17 | ENE 10 | S 12 | SE 10 | SE 10 | E 9 | S 10 | S 8 | S 15 | — | — | S 14 | S 13 |
| kJ | 17 | 37 | — | 18 | 20 | 4 | 30 | 10 | 48 | 16 | 15 | 7 | 30 | 23 | 4 | — | — | 4 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSE 8 | — | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | ESE 6 | — | — | — | — | ESE 7 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NE 5 |
| kJ | — | — | 229 | — | 150 | 211 | 58 | — | — | — | — | 76 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 72 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 9 | 11 | 0 | 166 | 130 | 26 | 11 | 11 | 41 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 81 | 0 | 0 | 170 | 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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