Surf Forecasts:
Shelley Beach surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, S swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, S swell with 3,327 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period with NE 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 14) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 10s is also forecast. 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 19) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 14th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Wed 16th Sep) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Shelley Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Shelley Beach in feet and miles per hour.
The water’s around 64°, a little below average for the season, so you might want a spring suit.
The first few days are pretty flat. Sunday the 13th offers a weak 2-3ft south swell with a lumpy cross-breeze – not worth paddling out. Monday the 14th morning cleans up with a light offshore wind and a small 2ft south swell, energy is moderate (230), but it’s still tiny. Tuesday the 15th is a total loss with onshore wind and short-period junk.
Then things get heavy. Wednesday the 16th morning brings a massive 10ft south swell with huge energy (1298), but the wind is howling cross-shore at 22 mph. At that size, Shelley Beach is only for the brave or the nuts. The afternoon gets even bigger and messier. Thursday the 17th is the same story: giant swell, blown out.
Here’s the window you want. Friday the 18th morning is a gem: clean, glassy conditions, a fun 4-5ft south-east swell with a nice 10-second period, and solid energy (644). The wind is dead calm—just perfect. Saturday the 19th morning is equally good: glassy again, 3-4ft south-east swell with an 11-second period (605 energy) and not a breath of wind. Both mornings offer clean lines and low crowds, though this spot can get busy sometimes, so get there early.
After that, the surf drops off a cliff. From Sunday the 20th, the swell fades to barely rideable, with onshore winds ruining most of the next week. There’s a tiny clean window on the 24th and 25th, but it’s ankle-biters. You’d be better off waiting.
Bottom line: Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th mornings are your only real shots. Make the most of ‘em.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Sun night, fresh winds from the S by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Wed morning, calm by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | S 10 | NE 6 | S 11 | S 11 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 7 | S 7 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | S 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 113 | 141 | 207 | 121 | 83 | 141 | 36 | 23 | 570 | 1288 | 2648 | 3031 | 1857 | 1585 | 721 | 433 | 476 | 418 | 263 | 134 | 81 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:34PM1.38m | 9:57AM1.49m | 10:13PM1.25m | 10:34AM1.46m | 10:54PM1.12m | 11:13AM1.40m | 11:39PM1.01m | 11:59AM1.34m | 00:34AM0.92m | 12:55PM1.27m | 1:48AM0.86m | 2:04PM1.24m | 3:16AM0.87m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:31PM0.19m | 3:39AM0.19m | 4:15PM0.24m | 4:10AM0.28m | 5:01PM0.31m | 4:42AM0.37m | 5:51PM0.39m | 5:18AM0.46m | 6:50PM0.46m | 6:02AM0.54m | 8:03PM0.50m | 7:03AM0.59m | 9:21PM0.50m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:56 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — |
 | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:46 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 17 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 22 | 23 | 20 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 10 | ENE 6 | S 11 | S 11 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 12 | — | — | E 13 | E 13 | SSE 9 | SE 10 | SE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | S 9 |
| kJ | 113 | 141 | 82 | 121 | 83 | 69 | 36 | 23 | 7 | 6 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 721 | 433 | 476 | 418 | 263 | 134 | 81 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | E 13 | S 10 | ENE 6 | E 13 | SSE 10 | S 10 | S 4 | E 14 | E 15 | — | — | S 19 | S 19 | ESE 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SE 8 |
| kJ | 14 | 13 | 100 | 24 | 12 | 33 | 29 | 7 | 4 | 4 | — | — | 7 | 7 | 221 | 205 | 169 | 239 | 132 | 102 | 35 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 17 | ENE 13 | E 13 | E 13 | — | E 12 | E 13 | S 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 13 | S 18 | S 18 | SSE 17 | S 17 | SSE 15 | NE 5 |
| kJ | 58 | 17 | 13 | 13 | — | 3 | 3 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 6 | 24 | 55 | 210 | 75 | 11 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | — | ESE 3 | S 7 | S 9 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | E 3 | — |
| kJ | 24 | 44 | 207 | 72 | 44 | 141 | — | 2 | 570 | 1288 | 2648 | 3031 | 1857 | 1585 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 8 | 232 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 11 | 166 | 125 | 791 | 777 | 238 | 205 | 180 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 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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