Redhead surf report
Long beach south of Newcastle that picks up plenty of swell.
New region (beta): these break settings are still being checked by locals. Spot something off? Tell us.
Tomorrow at Redhead (Sun, 4 Oct) · best 5am–3pm
Fun.
Glassy, no wind, chest-high waves. Rated for a beginner.
- Barely any wind (3 kn), so it'll be glassy and smooth.
- Waves around chest high (0.9m faces), a good size for a beginner.
- East-north-easterly swell at 6 seconds, an angle this spot likes.
- Mid tide and rising at 10am, which suits this spot.
- Wind swings easterly 9 kn around 3pm, so it'll get choppy.
Forecast checked Sat, 3 Oct, 9:11 pm Gold Coast time.
When is Redhead good?
- Best wind
- Westerly (offshore) or none
- Best swell
- North-north-east to south
- Best tide
- Mid tide
- Suits
- Beginner+
Who it suits depends on the size: learners up to about 0.7m, beginners up to about 1.1m, intermediates up to about 1.7m. Bigger than 1.7m it is for advanced surfers. Long-period groundswell hits harder, so it counts as bigger.
It picks up more swell than anywhere else around, so it is often the place to check on small days. A westerly wind blows offshore here, so mornings before the sea breeze are usually cleanest. Get Frothin’ checks the wind, swell, tide and the live wave buoys every hour and tells you, in plain English, whether it's worth paddling out at Redhead for your level.
Watch out
Strong rips on bigger days.
Surf schools at Redhead
Lessons mean more people in the water. The app flags when a school is out, so you know it'll be busy.
- Newcastle Surf School. Lessons usually start at 7am, 9am, 11am, 2pm.
Frequently asked
What are the best conditions for surfing Redhead?
Redhead is best with a westerly (offshore) wind or no wind, a north-north-east to south swell and mid tide. It picks up more swell than anywhere else around, so it is often the place to check on small days.
What wind is offshore at Redhead?
A westerly wind (W) blows straight offshore at Redhead, holding the waves up and keeping them clean. Light winds are good too. Onshore winds make it choppy.
Is Redhead good for beginners?
It can be. Redhead suits beginners on small, clean days. On bigger days it is better left to more experienced surfers.
What should I watch out for at Redhead?
Strong rips on bigger days.
Are there surf lessons at Redhead?
Yes: Newcastle Surf School. Lesson times bring more people into the water, and Get Frothin’ shows when lessons are on, so you can plan around the busy times.
Nearby breaks
- Merewether 7.8 km
- Bar Beach 9.5 km
- Terrigal (The Haven) 54.2 km