Surf Forecasts:
Zenith Beach surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s period, S swell with 614 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period with ENE 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 Tuesday (Aug 25) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Zenith Beach in the next 16 days are 1.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Zenith Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk Zenith Beach in feet and miles per hour.
First off, the first few days are a total bust. Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th of August are just onshore chop with winds 12–19 mph, and swell around 3–5 ft but blown to bits. Not worth it. Wednesday the 26th morning shows a little clean-up with offshore wind and a 3 ft, 8-second swell from the ENE, but it’s only a small window and the waves are ordinary. Thursday the 27th is marginal.
The real standout hits Friday the 28th of August morning. That morning is glassy—wind is dead calm from the NE at 3 mph—and we’ve got a 4 ft swell from the south with a 10-second period. The combined energy is 417 (moderate). It’s clean, the sets will have some push, and for a beginner-friendly beach break, this is primo. Crowds are sometimes a thing here, so expect company. Water temp is about average for the time of year.
After that, Saturday the 29th is messy again, and Sunday the 30th drops off. There’s a small gap until Monday the 31st of August morning, where a light WSW offshore at 6 mph brings a 2 ft, 9-second ENE swell—clean but tiny, with weak energy (81). Not a stand-out, just a paddle.
Then we hit Tuesday the 1st of September morning. Glassy again, wind from the SW at 3 mph, and a 2 ft, 15-second swell from the south. That’s a long-period groundswell, which gives the waves some shape and energy (220, moderate), but it’s small. For a beach break, that long period might make it a bit too straight, but with clean conditions, it’s a nice session.
Later in the week, Thursday the 3rd of September afternoon is clean with a light offshore and a 2 ft, 9-second ENE swell—weak energy (99), but the conditions are good. Then Friday the 4th of September afternoon cleans up nicely with a 2 ft, 11-second swell from the south, offshore wind, and energy of 267 (moderate). Good conditions again.
The last little highlight is Saturday the 5th of September morning: a 3 ft, 11-second south swell with a cross-offshore wind, giving cleaner waves, but the energy is high (463) and the forecast is marginal. The afternoon turns to onshore junk.
For the rest of the second week—Sunday the 6th through Tuesday the 8th—it’s mostly cross-onshore chop or very small, weak surf. Not worth chasing.
Overall, the best surf on offer is that Friday the 28th of August morning: glassy, 4 ft south swell, clean lines. The Tuesday 1st September morning is also a nice glassy session with a long-period groundswell, but it’s small. If you’re keen, those are the windows.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Tue night, fresh winds from the S by Wed afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 7 | S 9 | S 8 | S 13 | S 10 | S 12 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
350 | 202 | 128 | 108 | 100 | 266 | 192 | 116 | 76 | 152 | 326 | 239 | 272 | 333 | 171 | 284 | 250 | 281 | 210 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:52AM1.04m | 5:43PM1.56m | 6:37AM1.13m | 6:27PM1.63m | 7:15AM1.22m | 7:06PM1.69m | 7:50AM1.31m | 7:44PM1.73m | 8:23AM1.39m | 8:21PM1.75m | 8:57AM1.47m | 8:58PM1.73m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:01AM0.54m | 10:53AM0.67m | 00:40AM0.45m | 11:50AM0.62m | 1:14AM0.37m | 12:38PM0.55m | 1:47AM0.30m | 1:22PM0.49m | 2:19AM0.26m | 2:03PM0.44m | 2:51AM0.24m | 2:44PM0.41m | 3:23AM0.25m | ||||||
— | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | |
— | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:29 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 10 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 |
350 | 202 | 128 | 108 | 53 | 35 | 192 | 116 | 76 | 71 | 326 | 239 | 163 | 333 | 166 | 284 | 250 | 281 | 210 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 13 | ENE 5 | S 17 | NE 9 | S 16 | S 15 | S 10 | S 16 | S 14 | S 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | S 13 | ENE 8 | S 12 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 9 | ENE 9 |
4 | 21 | 49 | 21 | 21 | 42 | 17 | 42 | 33 | 10 | 52 | 61 | 272 | 44 | 171 | 24 | 39 | 44 | 45 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 7 | S 15 | S 17 | — | — | S 16 | S 9 | — | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | ENE 8 | SSE 14 | NE 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | S 10 | — |
— | 10 | 4 | 23 | — | — | 45 | 6 | — | 5 | 19 | 38 | 61 | 40 | 64 | 8 | 36 | 8 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | — | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | NE 7 | ENE 7 | NW 3 | WSW 4 | S 4 | S 7 | — | — | — | — | ENE 8 | ENE 4 | ENE 3 | ENE 3 | — |
39 | — | 54 | 55 | 100 | 266 | 3 | 10 | 12 | 152 | — | — | — | — | 73 | 10 | 1 | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 3 | 312 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 84 | 52 | 46 | 46 | 2 | 0 | 260 | 3 | 2 | 120 | 2 |
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.











