Angourie Lefts

Surfing
Shortboard, Advanced riders
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Swell, Ocean
Spot Type
Moderate
Crowd Level

This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.

About this spot

About

Angourie Lefts is a sheltered left-hand point break on the north side of the Angourie headland. It works best when an east or east-northeast swell wraps into the bay, and wave quality depends strongly on getting both swell direction and wind setup correct. When conditions line up, the break can deliver powerful, hollow lefts and some of the longest rides in the Yamba area. The spot is notably sensitive to wind: it performs best with offshore winds from the west or southwest, but can be easily blown out by onshore winds. There are also reports of wind shadow effects from the headland during southerly winds, and that northerly components can make the wave extremely sensitive. Sources differ slightly on tide preference, with one indicating low tide while another suggests mid-tide as a better window. Surf hazards are significant for a point break: rocks near the break are a primary concern (including reports of boards snapped at this spot). In addition, rip currents are common along the headland and in the bay, and shallow reef sections can create extra risk, particularly around low tide when submerged hazards are easier to encounter. Shark presence is known in the broader Yamba/Angourie area—avoid getting in the water at dawn or dusk and stay alert at all times. Overall, Angourie Lefts is best suited to intermediate surfers who can handle the rocky, sometimes tricky lineup and paddling demands when swell sizes rise. Access is typically via a short walk from Angourie Point, with a preference to paddle from the other side of the point; if conditions are bigger, paddling out from the beach may be safer. It’s also described as generally less crowded than the main Angourie Point, though weekends and holidays can still bring busier conditions.

  • Sheltered left-hand point break with potential for hollow, powerful waves on aligned east/northeast swells.
  • Offshore west/southwest winds are key to keeping the face clean.
  • Long ride potential when the break locks in.
Great for
Surfing shortboardAdvanced ridersBeginners
What's great
  • Sheltered point-break left with potential for powerful, hollow waves when aligned.
  • Can produce long rides on the right swell and offshore wind setup.
  • Often less crowded than the main Angourie Point.
Heads up
  • Inconsistent surf; the spot needs correct swell wrap to work well.
  • Rocks and submerged hazards are close to the break, with past reports of snapped boards.
  • Fickle conditions—wind direction changes can quickly reduce surf quality.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
W, WSW, NW
Offshore directions
W, WSW
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Sources describe best conditions with offshore winds from the west (including west/southwest). Winter can also bring sea-breeze patterns, but Angourie Lefts is mainly wind-direction dependent.
Reliability
fair
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported.
Best Months
April, May, June, July
Shadow Zones
Significant wind shadow from the headland during southerly winds.

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell, Ocean
Beach
Mixed — Beach composition described as mixed.
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Medium — Medium-sized surf reported; workable range also described with about 1.0-2.5 m swell, depending on alignment.
Launch
Medium — Rocky entry from the headland or paddle out from the adjacent beach.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty; rocky entry/paddling around the point.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
19–26 °C
Water Temperature
12–28 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jun, Jul, Aug: 3/2mmSep–May: 2mm or boardshorts
Crowds by Season

Less crowded than the main Angourie Point; busy on weekends and holidays.

Storm/Rain Season

Summer can bring tropical low pressure systems and increased rainfall.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Sheltered left-hand point break on the north side of the Angourie headland. Requires a specific east/northeast swell wrap to work in the bay and is often less consistent than the famous right-hand point nearby.

Point break
Wave Direction
Left
Optimal Swell
E, NE
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
Low, Mid — Sources conflict slightly: one describes best as low tide; another notes best at mid tide.
Shelter
Sheltered — Point break is sheltered relative to open-coast breaks.
Wind Effect
Works best in offshore winds from west; easily blown out by onshore. Extremely sensitive to any northerly wind.
Bigger Swell
Holds size on larger south swells, but can become more sloped; can become messy and difficult to paddle out when swell exceeds about 3 meters.
Wave Quality
Good — Quality described as good to average; depends strongly on swell direction and wind.
Wave Power
Powerful — Reported as powerful when conditions align; also described as moderate/power varies by source and swell wrap.
Wave Shape
Hollow — Hollow shape noted; hollow/barrelling tendencies when swell alignment is strong.
Peel Speed
Medium — Peeling wave described; can vary with alignment and swell.
Ride Length
Medium — Can be some of the longest rides in the Yamba area; in rare, well-aligned swells can reach very long lengths.
Ride Length Details
Longest-rides reports include runs from a cover-up section at the far end of the point to the beach; another source notes up to ~100 meters on rare, well-aligned swells.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Angourie Lefts in the full forecast view.

Angourie Lefts wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
3–15 ktsGusts 30 kts
Direction
ENE64°
Strongest day
Mon, Oct 2615 kts
Windy days
2/712 kts or more
Waves
0.8–1.9 m7s period
Temperature
16–31 °C

Over the next 7 days, Angourie Lefts is forecast for daytime winds of 3–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.8–1.9 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

What to know before you launch

Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.

Hazards

  • Rocks
  • Rip currents
  • Shallow reef
  • Sharks
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetLeashWetsuit

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards reported for the spot.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — Group context indicates limited rescue availability in the area; Surf Life Saving Australia services the region.
Emergency Info
Nearest medical facilities are located in Yamba. Dial 000 for all emergency services.
Localism / Vibe
Moderate — Local lineup can be protective of this break.

Rules of the spot

Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup which can be protective of this break.

Restrictions
  • Avoid surfing at dawn or dusk (shark awareness).
  • Be cautious around rocks; boards have been snapped at the break.
Local Tips
  • Tricky to ride; breaks near rocks—use caution around the rocks at takeoff and wipeouts.
  • Often works when the main point is too crowded or when the swell is coming from a more easterly angle.
  • Keep an eye out for submerged rocks during low tide.
  • Walk down and paddle out from the other side of the point; if conditions are big, paddle from the beach instead.
  • Avoid surfing at dawn or dusk due to known shark presence in the Yamba/Angourie area.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Yuraygur, Clarence Valley, New South Wales
Nearest Town
Angourie, NSW 2464
Nearest Airport
Clarence Valley Regional Airport (Grafton) is 75km away; Ballina Byron Gateway Airport is approximately 100km away.
Parking
Limited parking available at the main Angourie Point headland car park.
Public Transport
Limited public bus services connect Yamba to Grafton and Lismore; private vehicles are the primary mode of transport for the coast.
Access
Walk down and paddle out from the other side of the point at Angourie; if conditions are big, paddle from the beach instead.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Toilets
Picnic area
Accommodation
Nearby town — Holiday rentals in Angourie and options in nearby Yamba.
Food & Drink
Small cafe in Angourie; more options available in Yamba.
Equipment Rental:
Surf equipment rental available in nearby Yamba.
Gear Repair
Repair services available at surf shops in Yamba.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

The Angourie area is closely associated with surfing culture and nearby national park scenery.

Best time to visit: September to November for mild weather and whale watching; March to June for the best surf conditions.
Angourie Blue Pool1km

Deep freshwater swimming holes formed in an old rock quarry, located adjacent to the ocean.

Angourie National Surfing Reserve0km

The first site in New South Wales to be gazetted as a National Surfing Reserve, recognizing its historical and environmental significance.

Yuraygir Coastal Walk1km

A 65km multi-day hiking trail that begins in Angourie and follows the coastline south through pristine national park.

Barbaresco1km

A popular local restaurant in Angourie known for its Italian-inspired menu and relaxed atmosphere.

Yamba Lighthouse5km

A historic lighthouse offering panoramic views of the coastline and whale watching opportunities during migration season.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Angourie Lefts?

The best overall months at Angourie Lefts are March, April, May, June, July, August. The best wind months are April, May, June, July.

Which wind directions work at Angourie Lefts?

Angourie Lefts works with W, WSW, NW winds. Offshore directions are W, WSW.

What skill level is Angourie Lefts suitable for?

Angourie Lefts suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.