Shelley Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.36° S 151.51° E

Shelley Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 3 am 06 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Shelley Beach sea temperature is
18.5°C
0.3° 

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 5 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 11 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 2,171 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 7 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 8s 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 Monday (Sep 07) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. 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 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 7AM.

Wave TypeTime (AEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Mon 7th Sep)5ft (1.5m) 8s
Best Surf 1AM (Fri 11th Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 11s
Most Powerful 1AM (Thu 10th Sep)11ft (3.5m) 10s

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 the next couple of weeks are shaping up like for Shelley Beach. It's a bit of a slow start, but there are a couple of windows that'll get the heart pumping.

Right now, it's flat and messy. We've got a few days of nothing much to write home about. The water temp is sitting at 65°F which is pretty normal for this time of year. The first real glimmer of hope comes Monday morning, September 7th. The swell is only 5ft from the SSE, but mate, it's glassy. That Northeast breeze at just 3 mph is a dream. The energy is moderate (274), and it’s a consistent spot, so that morning session is easily the best of the first week. The crowd factor is "sometimes" here, so you might get a few out, but it'll be worth jostling for a wave.

The outlook gets a bit more interesting after that. Keep an eye on Friday morning, September 11th. The swell bumps up to 6ft from the S, with a 10-second period. The wind is offshore and glassy from the WSW at 3 mph. The wave energy is moderate (765), and the conditions are primed for a very good session. It’s a bit bigger, but still manageable for most.

Moving into the second week, the standout for me is Sunday morning, September 13th. We're looking at a clean 4ft swell from the SSE, but the period stretches out to 11 seconds, giving it some real push. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NNE at 6 mph, keeping things clean. The energy is moderate (545). This is the kind of morning where you get the long lines and the easy paddle out.

Monday morning, September 14th, is also a good call with a clean 4ft swell from the SSE and a 12-second period. The offshore wind from the NW at 9 mph will groom it perfectly. The energy is moderate (375).

Later in the week, Wednesday morning, September 16th, offers another clean option with 4ft from the S, a 11-second period, and a cross-offshore breeze. The energy is moderate (397).

The tail end of the forecast is small and unremarkable, with the swell dropping under 3ft and the energy falling away. There's a tiny window on Saturday, September 19th, with a clean, offshore 2ft swell, but it's more of a longboard glider than a proper surf. The final day, Sunday, September 20th, has a glass-off in the afternoon with a 2ft 11-second period swell, but again, it's small.

So, to wrap it up: the best windows are Monday morning, September 7th, and Friday morning, September 11th. The Sunday, September 13th, is also a real treat. Get out there.

- Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, fresh winds from the S by Mon night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed morning, calm by Fri morning).

Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
Saturday
12
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
2
0
0
0
1
3
0
0
0
0
2
4
3
0
2
2
0
3
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
7
1
S
8
2.2
S
10
1.4
SSE
8
1.5
SSE
9
2.4
S
8
2.5
SSE
10
2.3
SSE
9
1.8
SSE
9
1.4
SSE
9
2.3
SSE
8
3.5
SSE
10
2.5
S
10
2.5
S
10
2.3
S
11
1.9
S
10
1.8
SSE
10
1.8
S
10
2
S
10
1.7
S
9
1.4
SSE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
66
110
919
264
320
653
1283
885
544
301
671
2171
1277
1207
1317
755
667
706
755
505
495
Wind (km/h)
20
SW
20
SSE
15
SSW
5
NE
20
E
35
S
20
S
15
SSE
10
WNW
20
SSW
35
S
25
S
20
SSW
15
SSE
10
W
5
WSW
15
ESE
10
SSW
5
SE
15
ENE
10
NNW
Wind State
cross
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
off
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
glassy
on
cross
on
cross-on
off
High Tide
3:54PM1.49m
4:59AM1.02m
5:00PM1.56m
5:57AM1.12m
5:57PM1.63m
6:45AM1.22m
6:46PM1.66m
7:28AM1.31m
7:31PM1.65m
8:07AM1.40m
8:14PM1.59m
8:44AM1.46m
8:54PM1.50m
Low Tide
10:57PM0.24m
10:24AM0.43m
11:54PM0.15m
11:28AM0.35m
00:41AM0.08m
12:24PM0.28m
1:23AM0.04m
1:14PM0.21m
2:00AM0.03m
2:01PM0.17m
2:35AM0.06m
2:47PM0.17m
3:07AM0.11m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:05
6:05
6:03
6:01
6:01
5:58
5:58
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:38
5:38
5:39
5:40
5:40
5:42
5:43
 mm
3
Temp °C
19
18
16
17
17
15
15
15
14
16
15
15
14
13
13
17
16
15
15
15
15
Feels °C
15
13
12
13
13
10
10
12
12
11
8
7
9
10
11
13
12
12
14
12
13
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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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