10-day surf forecast with Strike Scores for Catherine Hill Bay, Central Coast NSW, Australia
Catherine Hill Bay is a heritage-listed mining village with a quality right-hand reef break that peels along the southern headland. The historic jetty and mining infrastructure create a unique backdrop for surfing. The wave breaks over a rock and reef bottom, producing long, workable walls with occasional barrel sections on the right swell. Being between Sydney and Newcastle, the spot can get crowded on good days, but it's worth the paddle. The village itself is charming, with the old miners' cottages now heritage-protected.
Best day in the forecast: 2026-08-05 with a score of 58/100 (Fair)
Poor conditions overall: Average score 36/100. Look for spots with better forecasts.
Poor alignment: Swell from 155° is 35° off optimal 120°, barely within workable range 90°-160°.
Too small: 0.6m is below minimum 1.0m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Moderate period: 10s meets minimum 8s but below ideal 12s. Some groundswell energy present.
Light offshore: 9 km/h from 291° (WNW). Grooming the wave face beautifully.
Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
Surfable but not special at Catherine Hill Bay. The 0.6m swell from 155° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
0.6m (2.0ft) swell from 155° (SSE) at 10s period
No alignment: Swell from 178° is outside workable range 90°-160°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Too small: 0.8m is below minimum 1.0m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Moderate period: 9s meets minimum 8s but below ideal 12s. Some groundswell energy present.
Onshore/cross-shore: 6 km/h from 21° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 230°-310°.
Poor conditions at Catherine Hill Bay. Either swell direction (178°), size (0.8m), or wind (6 km/h from 21°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.8m (2.6ft) swell from 178° (S) at 9s period
Poor alignment: Swell from 174° is 54° off optimal 120°, barely within workable range 90°-160°.
Too small: 0.7m is below minimum 1.0m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Onshore/cross-shore: 6 km/h from 90° (E). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 230°-310°.
Poor conditions at Catherine Hill Bay. Either swell direction (174°), size (0.7m), or wind (6 km/h from 90°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.7m (2.3ft) swell from 174° (S) at 9s period
Too small: 0.9m is below minimum 1.0m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Onshore/cross-shore: 6 km/h from 143° (SE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 230°-310°.
Poor conditions at Catherine Hill Bay. Either swell direction (174°), size (0.9m), or wind (6 km/h from 143°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.9m (3.0ft) swell from 174° (S) at 9s period
Poor alignment: Swell from 73° is 47° off optimal 120°, barely within workable range 90°-160°.
Onshore/cross-shore: 11 km/h from 10° (N). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 230°-310°.
Poor conditions at Catherine Hill Bay. Either swell direction (73°), size (0.9m), or wind (11 km/h from 10°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.9m (3.0ft) swell from 73° (ENE) at 9s period
No alignment: Swell from 58° is outside workable range 90°-160°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Marginal size: 1.4m is 0.4m from ideal 1.8m.
Strong offshore: 21 km/h from 282° (WNW). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
Poor conditions at Catherine Hill Bay. Either swell direction (58°), size (1.4m), or wind (21 km/h from 282°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.4m (4.6ft) swell from 58° (ENE) at 10s period
Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
No alignment: Swell from 183° is outside workable range 90°-160°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Perfect period: 12s is at or above ideal 12s. Long-period groundswell with maximum power.
Onshore/cross-shore: 19 km/h from 312° (NW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 230°-310°.
Poor conditions at Catherine Hill Bay. Either swell direction (183°), size (1.4m), or wind (19 km/h from 312°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.4m (4.6ft) swell from 183° (S) at 12s period
No alignment: Swell from 187° is outside workable range 90°-160°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Marginal size: 1.1m is 0.6m from ideal 1.8m.
Strong offshore: 22 km/h from 276° (W). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
Poor conditions at Catherine Hill Bay. Either swell direction (187°), size (1.1m), or wind (22 km/h from 276°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.1m (3.6ft) swell from 187° (S) at 10s period
Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
Poor alignment: Swell from 173° is 53° off optimal 120°, barely within workable range 90°-160°.
Light offshore: 9 km/h from 231° (SW). Grooming the wave face beautifully.
Surfable but not special at Catherine Hill Bay. The 1.4m swell from 173° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
1.4m (4.6ft) swell from 173° (S) at 12s period
Poor alignment: Swell from 176° is 56° off optimal 120°, barely within workable range 90°-160°.
Good size: 1.9m is within 15% of ideal 1.8m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 7 km/h from 130° (SE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 230°-310°.
Surfable but not special at Catherine Hill Bay. The 1.9m swell from 176° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
1.9m (6.2ft) swell from 176° (S) at 12s period
Open-Meteo Weather API (wind/weather data)