Surf Forecasts:
Zenith Beach surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 16 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 10s period, E swell with 1,146 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 16 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period with S swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Zenith Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Zenith Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 16) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Zenith Beach in the next 16 days are 2.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Thu 16th Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Zenith Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s break down the surf at Zenith Beach over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, the first few days are a total write-off. From Thursday the 16th through Sunday the 19th, forget it. Swell is running 5ft to 7ft, with moderate to strong wave energy (up to 1125 on Sunday morning), but the wind is relentless cross-onshore from the SE and SSE, 15 to 30 mph, chopping everything up. No quality at all – four days with nothing worth paddling out for.
Monday the 20th is still marginal. Morning sees a light onshore easterly, 6ft swell from the east at 10 seconds, energy around 769. It’s rideable but nothing special.
Now, the standout – Tuesday the 21st. Early morning, the wind turns light cross-off from the NNW at just 3 mph, the surface goes glassy clean, and we’ve got a 4ft swell from the ENE with a 10-second period. Energy is moderate (438). That’s clean, fun-sized surf – great for this beginner-friendly beach. The direction isn’t the ideal southeast, but the conditions make up for it. Crowds can be around sometimes, but it’ll be worth it.
Wednesday the 22nd morning is another good one. Offshore wind from the WSW at 6 mph, 3ft swell from the ENE, 10-second period, clean faces. Energy is 244 – smaller, but still tidy and consistent.
After that the swell drops. Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th see tiny 3ft and 2ft waves, mostly clean but weak. Energy dips into double digits. The rest of the week and into early August stays small, with a few clean offshore days but barely any power. On Tuesday the 28th morning there’s a 1ft south swell with a 16-second period – super long period groundswell, but tiny. That kind of period makes beach breaks close out, and energy is only 124. Not worth the paddle.
Best call: Tuesday 21st morning. Wednesday 22nd morning is a solid backup. After that, it’s slim pickings. Forecasts can always change, so keep an eye out.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed night, min 14°C on Thu morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat night, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wed 22 | |||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | E 8 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 628 | 378 | 351 | 181 | 171 | 168 | 274 | 331 | 411 | 813 | 1007 | 802 | 656 | 573 | 520 | 394 | 349 | 356 | 331 | 209 | 169 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | off | cross |
High Tide | 9:55AM1.39m | 9:55PM1.94m | 10:41AM1.41m | 10:40PM1.83m | 11:27AM1.41m | 11:24PM1.69m | 12:13PM1.41m | 00:07AM1.52m | 1:00PM1.41m | 00:51AM1.36m | 1:51PM1.41m | 1:38AM1.21m | 2:45PM1.42m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:54AM0.06m | 3:30PM0.35m | 4:38AM0.10m | 4:21PM0.39m | 5:20AM0.17m | 5:11PM0.46m | 6:00AM0.26m | 6:03PM0.55m | 6:39AM0.36m | 7:00PM0.63m | 7:17AM0.45m | 8:03PM0.69m | 7:56AM0.52m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | |  |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — |
 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:02 | — | — | 5:04 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:06 | — | — | 5:06 |
mm | 6 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 |
Feels °C | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 7 | S 9 | S 11 | E 8 | S 9 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | E 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 | ENE 10 |
| kJ | 5 | 378 | 351 | 181 | 83 | 45 | 23 | 82 | 411 | 42 | 1007 | 802 | 656 | 573 | 520 | 394 | 349 | 356 | 331 | 209 | 169 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | E 8 | S 17 | S 9 | S 11 | S 21 | S 10 | S 18 | S 17 | S 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
| kJ | — | 61 | 82 | 34 | 52 | 14 | 40 | 78 | 48 | 60 | 95 | 129 | 162 | 187 | 180 | 118 | 81 | 73 | 49 | 31 | 30 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 15 | E 8 | S 18 | S 11 | S 11 | NE 8 | — | S 20 | S 18 | S 8 | S 8 | SE 16 | SE 15 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 14 | S 15 | S 14 | S 14 |
| kJ | — | 5 | 5 | 55 | 23 | 22 | 2 | — | 30 | 60 | 23 | 21 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | — | — | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 8 | SSE 5 | E 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 3 | NNE 4 | — | — |
| kJ | 628 | — | — | 126 | 171 | 168 | 274 | 331 | 45 | 813 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 13 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 84 | 56 | 52 | 69 | 42 | 128 | 51 | 83 | 217 | 128 | 84 | 42 | 83 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 129 | 2 | 0 | 33 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Newcastle | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Zenith Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Zenith Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Zenith Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Zenith 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 (Zenith 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 Zenith 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.
Zenith Beach is 12 km (7 miles) from the city of Port Stephens. If you plan a holiday in Newcastle, look for hotels and other accommodation in Port Stephens. Port Stephens has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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