Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, NE swell with 303 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 10s period with E 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 05) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m 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 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-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 Monday (Aug 10) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s on offer at Shelley Beach. Gotta be honest, the first week is a bit of a struggle. There’s basically nothing to get excited about from Tuesday the 4th right through to the end of the following week. That’s a real dry spell. The water’s sitting at 64°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first real glimmer of hope shows up on the morning of Thursday the 13th. We’ve got a solid 5ft southerly swell starting to push through, with a clean cross-offshore breeze from the west-northwest. The energy is moderate (425), and it’s looking like a proper session for the competent surfer. That morning sets the tone for what’s coming.
But the absolute standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, is the morning of Friday the 14th. This is it. The swell jumps to 8ft from the south, with a period of 11 seconds – that’s proper groundswell, real energy. The wind is glassy, dead calm, with a southwesterly breeze. The combined energy is a massive 2991, which is strong. This is big, powerful, and clean. That’s top-tier stuff for the experienced crew. The afternoon gets a bit messy with onshore wind, but that morning window is the one to chase.
After that, the swell drops a bit, but there’s another promising window on the morning of Wednesday the 19th. We’re looking at 7ft from the southeast, a solid 10-second period, and a clean cross-offshore breeze from the north-northwest. The energy is 815, so it’s still got some punch. Worth a paddle if you missed the big one on the 14th.
So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off. The real action kicks off mid-month. The morning of Friday the 14th is the standout – big, glassy, and powerful. The morning of the 19th is a solid backup option. Don’t sleep on that Friday session.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 8°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the NW by Sun night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 7 | SSW 5 | E 10 | E 9 | SSE 12 | S 9 | S 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 15 | 9 | 31 | 27 | 27 | 74 | 140 | 38 | 113 | 61 | 48 | 45 | 32 | 28 | 30 | 77 | 228 | 151 | 96 | 66 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:57PM1.24m | 12:52PM1.35m | 00:56AM1.12m | 1:51PM1.39m | 2:10AM1.03m | 2:58PM1.44m | 3:35AM0.98m | 4:06PM1.52m | 4:56AM1.00m | 5:11PM1.61m | 6:03AM1.06m | 6:09PM1.71m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:03PM0.43m | 6:16AM0.25m | 7:10PM0.45m | 7:05AM0.31m | 8:28PM0.44m | 8:05AM0.36m | 9:50PM0.38m | 9:15AM0.39m | 11:05PM0.28m | 10:25AM0.38m | 00:08AM0.16m | 11:31AM0.33m | 1:02AM0.07m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | | | | | |  | | | | |  | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:17 | — | — | 5:19 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:21 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 5 | SSW 5 | E 10 | E 9 | SSW 5 | S 9 | S 8 | S 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | E 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
| kJ | 10 | 9 | 31 | 27 | 7 | 74 | 140 | 25 | 113 | 61 | 48 | 44 | 29 | 22 | 30 | 77 | 228 | 151 | 96 | 66 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | E 8 | SSW 5 | S 5 | E 8 | E 10 | E 9 | SSE 10 | ENE 7 | S 8 | S 8 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | E 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 7 | SE 13 | S 6 | SSW 6 |
| kJ | 9 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 38 | 9 | 35 | 21 | 45 | 32 | 28 | 20 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 8 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 9 | E 7 | S 10 | NE 8 | SSE 12 | NE 8 | NE 8 | S 9 | E 11 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | E 8 | S 7 | ENE 4 | S 6 | E 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 |
| kJ | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 27 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 7 | W 3 | W 3 | — | W 3 | — | — | NNE 3 | — | — | — | — | ENE 7 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NNW 3 | WNW 4 | W 4 | W 3 |
| kJ | 15 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 6 | 19 | 15 | 5 | 16 | 19 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 128 | 8 | 41 | 9 | 0 | 63 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 83 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 52 | 30 | 31 | 3 |
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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