Australian Government

Bureau of Meteorology


Coastal Waters Forecast 

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IDN11003

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

Coastal Waters Forecast for New South Wales
Central Zones: Seal Rocks to Ulladulla

Issued at 4:00 am EDT on Sunday 18 January 2026
for the period until midnight EDT Tuesday 20 January 2026.

Please be aware
Wind and wave forecasts are averages. Wind gusts can be 40 per cent stronger than the forecast, and stronger still in squalls and thunderstorms. Maximum waves can be twice the forecast height.

Warning Information

For latest warnings go to www.bom.gov.au, subscribe to RSS feeds, call 1300 659 210* or listen for warnings on relevant TV and radio broadcasts.

Weather Situation

Strong southeasterly winds are expected along the NSW coast from a trough and embedded low pressure system pinned to the coast. The trough and low is forecast to track north and weaken during today. Then, a high pressure system will move into the south Tasman Sea, maintaining fresh to strong southeasterly winds over coastal waters in the new week.

Hunter Coast: Seal Rocks to Broken Bay

Forecast for Sunday 18 January until midnight

Strong Wind Warning for Sunday for Hunter Coast

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 25 knots, reaching up to 30 knots during the morning and early afternoon. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. 1st Swell: Southeasterly 2.5 to 3 metres. 2nd Swell: South to southwesterly around 1 metre north of Norah Head. Weather: Cloudy. 90% chance of showers. A thunderstorm likely during the morning and afternoon. Caution: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as crossing bars by boat and rock fishing.

Forecast for Monday 19 January

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 2 metres, decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the morning. 1st Swell: Southeasterly 2.5 to 3 metres, tending easterly 2 to 2.5 metres during the morning. 2nd Swell: South to southwesterly around 1 metre inshore, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore south of Port Stephens during the morning. Weather: Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm offshore in the early morning.

Forecast for Tuesday 20 January

Winds: Southeasterly 10 to 15 knots turning southerly 15 to 20 knots during the morning. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore during the afternoon or evening. 1st Swell: Easterly 1.5 to 2.5 metres. 2nd Swell: Southerly around 1 metre inshore, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore south of Port Stephens. Weather: Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm in the evening.

Sydney Coast: Broken Bay to Port Hacking

Forecast for Sunday 18 January until midnight

Strong Wind Warning for Sunday for Sydney Coast

Winds: Southeasterly 20 to 25 knots, reaching up to 30 knots during the morning and early afternoon. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. Swell: Southeasterly 2.5 to 3 metres. Weather: Cloudy. 90% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm this morning. Caution: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as crossing bars by boat and rock fishing.

Forecast for Monday 19 January

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres. 1st Swell: Southeasterly 2.5 metres, tending easterly 2 metres by early evening. 2nd Swell: Southeast to southwesterly around 1 metre offshore. Weather: Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm offshore.

Forecast for Tuesday 20 January

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots turning southerly during the morning. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the morning. Swell: Easterly 2 to 2.5 metres. Weather: Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm in the evening.

Illawarra Coast: Port Hacking to Ulladulla

Forecast for Sunday 18 January until midnight

Strong Wind Warning for Sunday for Illawarra Coast

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 25 knots, reaching up to 30 knots offshore north of Point Perpendicular during the morning. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. Swell: Easterly 2.5 to 3 metres. Weather: Partly cloudy. 70% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm offshore north of Port Kembla early this morning.

Forecast for Monday 19 January

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 2 metres, decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the morning. Swell: Southeasterly 2 to 2.5 metres. Weather: Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm offshore north of Point Perpendicular in the evening.

Forecast for Tuesday 20 January

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots turning southerly 10 to 15 knots during the evening. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore north of Port Kembla. Swell: Southeasterly 2 metres, tending easterly 2 to 2.5 metres during the morning. Weather: Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm in the evening.

The next routine forecast will be issued at 10:00 am EDT Sunday.

* Calls to 1300 numbers cost around 27.5c incl. GST, higher from mobiles or public phones.

Check the latest Coastal Waters Forecasts for information on wind, wave and weather conditions for neighbouring coastal zones.