Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 30 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period, SSE swell with 1,083 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 30 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 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 Thursday (Jul 30) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 6s. 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 1.8m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 03) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 30th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about Shelley Beach for the next couple weeks.
The first few days are a bust. Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th have some tiny knee-high waves—0.3ft—but they’re just not doing anything. Better to stay home.
First decent window comes Thursday morning, July 30th. We’ve got a 6ft south swell, period around 9 seconds, with the wind light cross-off at about 6 mph. The water’s 65°, right around average. Energy is moderate, in the low 500s. It’s a good session for intermediate surfers.
Saturday morning, August 1st, is where the magic starts. The swell drops to 5ft from the SSE, but the wind goes dead calm—glassy as a lake. The waves will be clean and pretty. Period is 10 seconds, energy at 453. Crowds can be a thing here sometimes, so get out early.
Sunday morning, August 2nd, is another strong pick. Swell 5ft from the SE, period up to 11 seconds, with a light cross-off wind from the north at 6 mph. Energy is solid at 546. This is a proper longboard session.
Things go flat midweek, with waves barely reaching 1ft on Tuesday, so just hang tight. Wednesday morning, August 5th, brings a 4ft south swell back into the mix, with light cross-off winds. It’s a solid option, but not the best of the run.
The standout, without a doubt, is Wednesday morning, August 12th. We’re talking a 8ft south swell with an 11-second period and glassy, glassy conditions from a light NNW wind. The energy is strong at 1327. This is an expert-level session—big, clean, and powerful. The afternoon stays okay but gets a bit lumpy.
The last day, Thursday the 13th, gets wild—10ft+ swells, with energy readings up to 2613. That’s for absolute experts only, even if the wind stays cross-off and clean. For most, it’s a look-don’t-touch kind of day.
So here’s the call: August 1st morning for glassy fun, and August 12th morning for the big, clean groundswell experience. The rest is either too small, too big, or too choppy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 10°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 18 | S 16 | SSW 6 | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | S 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 6 | 5 | 53 | 481 | 306 | 835 | 987 | 932 | 627 | 441 | 425 | 984 | 821 | 466 | 396 | 208 | 170 | 75 | 46 | 30 | 30 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:08PM1.60m | 8:46AM1.11m | 8:43PM1.60m | 9:22AM1.16m | 9:17PM1.58m | 9:58AM1.20m | 9:52PM1.53m | 10:36AM1.25m | 10:28PM1.45m | 11:16AM1.29m | 11:09PM1.35m | 12:01PM1.32m | 11:57PM1.24m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:38PM0.36m | 2:52AM0.17m | 2:16PM0.34m | 3:24AM0.14m | 2:56PM0.34m | 3:55AM0.13m | 3:36PM0.35m | 4:26AM0.13m | 4:19PM0.37m | 4:59AM0.16m | 5:08PM0.40m | 5:35AM0.19m | 6:03PM0.43m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | |
 | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — |
 | — | 5:12 | — | — | 5:13 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:14 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 11 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 18 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | SE 6 | ENE 6 | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SE 11 | S 7 |
| kJ | 5 | 2 | 4 | 481 | 306 | 835 | 656 | 697 | 627 | 441 | 425 | 984 | 821 | 466 | 396 | 208 | 170 | 75 | 46 | 30 | 25 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 6 | S 16 | S 13 | NE 6 | NE 6 | — | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | SE 14 | SSE 14 | E 18 | E 17 | SE 13 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | E 15 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | S 10 |
| kJ | 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 5 | 99 | 261 | 6 | 6 | 144 | 13 | 7 | 5 | 23 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 7 | S 13 | E 12 | E 12 | — | E 13 | E 13 | E 13 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | — | E 17 | S 22 | NE 8 | S 21 | S 19 | NE 4 | ESE 10 | ESE 9 | SE 10 |
| kJ | 6 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | — | 6 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 27 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | WSW 3 | SSW 6 | — | — | — | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NNE 4 | — | NNE 3 | W 2 | WSW 3 | S 3 | — |
| kJ | 6 | 5 | 53 | — | — | — | 987 | 932 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 30 | — | 8 | 1 | 1 | 5 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 536 | 219 | 26 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 216 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 13 | 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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