Beach break / jetée · Newcastle NSW · Beginner → Intermediate
Forecast for Monday 31 August
Intermediate : Dark out. Tomorrow looks good — aim for 5h. — Best window: 5h–7h
Today's score by level (at the day's best, out of 100)
A 1.5 km Newcastle beach with classic beach breaks, where the sandbar against the entrance wall throws up good rights on big SE swells. Southern end sheltered by Swansea Heads, currents dominate.
Surfable all year. Autumn (Sep-Nov) is the best season: powerful swells, water still mild, less crowd.
Ideal for starting out or longboarding. Mellow waves, little current, surf school usually nearby.
Spot next to a jetty or breakwater. Stay away from structures, especially during big swell.
Wear an appropriate wetsuit. Scout the currents before you paddle out. Respect the locals and right-of-way. Check weather and tides.
At Blacksmiths, tide isn't a deciding factor: the spot stays surfable across most tide states. Focus on the swell and the wind instead.
Blacksmiths is rather accessible to beginners when the waves stay small and the wind is light. Still, check currents, tide and local guidelines before entering.
The ideal wind at Blacksmiths comes broadly from West: it's offshore, which helps shape and hold the waves. A strong onshore wind generally degrades conditions.
Around Blacksmiths, you can also check conditions at URBNSURF, Ouano, Île des Pins. Compare the scores, wind and swell direction before choosing where to surf.