Loading

Where to surf in NSW

Angourie Point Beach, AngourieCredit: Destination NSW

Angourie Point is one of the most famous right-handers on Australia’s east coast.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Where to surf in NSW

Angourie Point Beach, Angourie Credit: Destination NSW

Angourie Point is one of the most famous right-handers on Australia’s east coast.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Hashtags #lovensw #newsouthwales

Luckily for surfers, the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea deliver some of the most consistent waves in the country. It’s no surprise then that New South Wales has produced most of Australia’s surfing world champions and continues to lead the way with learn-to-surf schools, surf camps and surfing events

Learning to surf in NSW is easy with accredited surf schools all along the coast. As NSW has more accessible surf beaches than any other state, it’s the perfect place to give it a go. Wherever you paddle out, remember the key rules of the surfers’ code: don’t surf in conditions beyond your ability; always wear a leg rope; and don’t ‘drop in’. Which means the surfer on the ‘inside’, closest to the breaking part of the wave, has right of way. Whether you’re a seasoned surfer or just a beginner, here are the top spots to catch a wave around the state. 

Sydney  

Manly Beach is an enjoyable 30-minute ferry ride north of Circular Quay. The southernmost surf beach on the Northern Beaches is great for learning, with several surf schools to choose from including Manly Surf School and Manly Surf Guide.  

In 1915, Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku gave an exhibition of wave riding at Freshwater Beach, making it the birthplace of Australian surfing. This small, protected beach just north of Manly remains popular with beginner to intermediate surfers.  

Further north, North Narrabeen is popular among more experienced surfers, with a powerful left-hand point break that produces nice barrels in larger swells.  

On Sydney’s eastern beaches, Bondi — Australia’s most famous beach — is popular for its beach breaks. Try a lesson with with Lets Go Surfing.  

Further south, the beaches of Maroubra and Cronulla have a variety of breaks for all experience levels, including the experts-only Shark Island off Cronulla point, which produces one of the best tubes in the world in the right conditions.  

Garie is the most popular beach in the Royal National Park, south of Cronulla, with the most consistent surf arriving in the autumn months. 

North of Sydney 

Super-protected Umina Beach on the Central Coast, 80 minutes north of Sydney, is one of the best beaches in the region for learning the ropes

The reef breaks at Forresters Beach, 40 minutes’ drive north of Umina, are best suited to experienced surfers. 

Newcastle’s surf schools generally operate between the reliable beach breaks of Blacksmiths, Caves, and Stockton beaches.  

On the mid-North Coast, Crescent Head is a favourite among longboarders for its peeling right-hand point break, but there are plenty of other waves in the area to choose from.  

Diggers Beach at Coffs Harbour is a popular beach break, with lessons available from East Coast Surf School.  

Further north, the right-hand point break in Angourie, Australia’s first dedicated surfing reserve, has been luring surfers since the 1950s.  

The Pass at Byron Bay is one of the world’s longest right-handers. With multiple breaks working in different winds, there’s always a wave to be found in the popular surf town, with plenty of surf schools to choose from, including Byron Bay Surf School and Soul Surf School.  

At the northern tip of coastal NSW, D-bah in Tweed Heads is a peaky, wedgy beach break better suited to experienced surfers.  

Lets Go Surfing, Bondi Beach Credit: Destination NSW

Woman enjoying a surf lesson with Lets Go Surfing, Bondi Beach.

#ilovesydney

Lets Go Surfing, Bondi Beach Credit: Destination NSW

Woman enjoying a surf lesson with Lets Go Surfing, Bondi Beach.

#ilovesydney

Racecourse Head, Crescent Head Credit: Destination NSW

A lone surfer enjoys perfect waves at Crescent Head on the northern side of Racecourse Head.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Racecourse Head, Crescent Head Credit: Destination NSW

A lone surfer enjoys perfect waves at Crescent Head on the northern side of Racecourse Head.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

South of Sydney 

Port Kembla near Wollongong, 90 minutes south of Sydney, has a consistent beach break. Just around Boilers Point, more beach breaks can be found at Fishermans Beach. 

Further south, Killalea Reserve beaches ‘The Farm’ and Minnamurra or ‘Mystics’, are two of the best surf beaches on the South Coast.  

South of Jervis Bay lies Wreck Bay, home of the South Coast’s infamous ‘Aussie Pipe’, for experienced surfers only. Just south of here, the beach breaks of Sussex Inlet are a good place to learn - try JB Surf School, with most lessons held at Cave Beach in Booderee National Park.

In nearby Mollymook, 1990 ASP World Champion Pam Burridge runs her surf school, offering group, private lessons and surf retreats.    

The safe waves of Broulee Beach near Batemans Bay are also ideal for learners — take lessons with Broulee Surf School

For experts only, Pambula Rivermouth, south of Merimbula, has been known to hold 10-second tubes.  

Surfing, Wreck Bay Credit: Dee Kramer

Surfer catches a wave at Wreck Bay, Jervis Bay Territory off Booderee National Park.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Surfing, Wreck Bay Credit: Dee Kramer

Surfer catches a wave at Wreck Bay, Jervis Bay Territory off Booderee National Park.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Broulee Beach Credit: Jonathan Poyner; Eurobodalla Coast Tourism

Surfer on Broulee Beach, Eurobodalla, South Coast

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Broulee Beach Credit: Jonathan Poyner; Eurobodalla Coast Tourism

Surfer on Broulee Beach, Eurobodalla, South Coast

#lovensw #newsouthwales

MORE INSPIRATIONAL STORIES

More Inspirational Stories

ALL ASSETS FROM THE DESTINATION NSW MEDIA CENTRE ARE FOR EDITORIAL USAGE ONLY AND MUST BE USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS.


For all non-editorial usage, please
visit the Destination NSW Content Library.

REGISTER
NOW

Access assets curated for media and content creators.

For all non-editorial usage, please
visit the Destination NSW Content Library.

Already have an account?

Permission Request


Destination NSW wants to access your Destination NSW Media Centre account.


This application will:

  • View your basic account information
  • View your email address
  • View your phone number, if provided
  • View your street address, if provided
  • View basic information about your organization, if provided
  • View your site usage
  • View your asset download activity

This access will help Destination NSW manage copyright owner rights, provide you with digital assets, keep you updated with new information and improve your user experience.


Do you agree to allow this access? If yes, click the REGISTER button.


You can unsubscribe at any time.

1 + 18 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.

Permission Request

Destination NSW wants to review your registration for your Destination NSW Media Centre account.

This review will:

  • View your basic account information
  • View your email address
  • View your basic information about your organisation, if provided
  • View your site usage
  • View your asset download activity

This will assist Destination NSW manage copyright owner rights, provide you with digital assets, keep you updated with new information and improve your user experience.


By clicking REGISTER, you agree that you have read and agree to the TERMS & CONDITIONS and Destination NSW's PRIVACY POLICY


You can unsubscribe at any time.