The Cliff surfForecast / NSW – Newcastle / Australia

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 10 pm Wednesday 17 Dec 2025 AEDT
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
The Cliff surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's The Cliff sea temperature is
22.5° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Cliff this week:

The surf forecast for The Cliff over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 18) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 1.2m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at The Cliff in the next 12 days are 1.7m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Dec 19) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Monday (Dec 22) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (AEDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Thu 18th Dec)2.5ft (0.7m) 11s
Best Surf 2AM (Thu 18th Dec)2.5ft (0.7m) 11s
Most Powerful 2AM (Fri 19th Dec)5.5ft (1.7m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Cliff over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Mostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Fri morning, min 16°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Thu afternoon, calm by Fri night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 33°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, fresh winds from the SSE by Mon night).

Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wed
24
NightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPM
Rating
(10 max)
2
0
0
2
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
0.7
S
0.6
S
1.4
ENE
1.7
NE
0.7
ENE
0.6
E
0.6
ENE
0.5
E
0.8
ENE
0.6
ENE
0.4
ENE
0.6
E
0.8
ENE
0.4
S
0.4
ENE
1.4
S
1.5
SSE
1.3
SSE
0.5
S
0.4
S
0.4
SE
Period(s) (?)1111678777777759758871113
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)112791142875840412759422034322617109266221273644
Wind
(km/h)
10
NNE
10
ENE
30
ENE
10
N
10
SSE
15
ESE
10
NNW
5
SSE
25
NE
15
S
5
NE
10
WSW
15
NW
15
WNW
25
ESE
15
SSE
10
E
30
ENE
10
WSW
5
ESE
20
E
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
cross-
off
cross-
on
crosscross-
off
cross-
on
cross-
on
offglasscrosscross-
on
glasscross-
off
offcross-
off
oncross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
on
cross-
off
glasscross-
on
High Tide
/ height (m)
7:54AM
1.63
8:22PM
1.12
8:32AM
1.69
9:08PM
1.15
9:10AM
1.74
9:52PM
1.17
9:47AM
1.76
10:34PM
1.18
10:25AM
1.76
11:17PM
1.19
11:03AM
1.73
11:58PM
1.20
11:43AM
1.68
Low Tide
/ height (m)
1:08AM
0.45
2:40PM
0.40
1:49AM
0.45
3:20PM
0.33
2:30AM
0.46
4:00PM
0.29
3:11AM
0.48
4:39PM
0.26
3:52AM
0.50
5:17PM
0.24
4:34AM
0.53
5:56PM
0.25
5:17AM
0.56
6:35PM
0.26
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Tuesday
23
Wed
24
Sunrise-5:39--5:39--5:39--5:39--5:41--5:41--5:41-
Sunset--7:58--7:59--7:59--8:00--8:00--8:00--8:00
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
light rain
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
Rain (mm)
-----------22--------
Temp. °C202527262927292427272929243133222123222426
Feels °C (?)162423232826282626283129243033202120212424
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder

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Information about the The Cliff Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for The Cliff provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at The Cliff can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Cliff 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 (The Cliff) 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 The Cliff 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.

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