Angourie Point (NSW - North Coast)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Angourie Point is an exposed point break on the NSW North Coast known for reliable surf and a high-performance, hollow wall when it’s working. While one source emphasizes both right and left-hand sections, another highlights the spot’s legendary right-hand character with long rides and strong inside sections. The wave breaks over a rocky volcanic shelf/rocky bottom in at least the take-off and inside areas, with one source also describing sandy bottom characteristics—so expect variable hazards by section. Surf conditions are described as best with offshore winds from the southwest (to west), which help groom the face, and the spot is particularly strong in April. One provider also lists a wider seasonal window into the colder months, with wind described as steady and typically in the 10–20 knots range. Optimal swell is given as from the south to southeast, working with a swell-height window of about 1.0 to 4.0 meters, and low tide is listed as optimal. On the best days, rides can peel for roughly 150–200 meters. Safety is a central concern: sharp rocks and sharks are repeatedly flagged, and strong sweeps can pull riders away from the point during larger swells. One notably dangerous area is the inside section called the “Toilet Bowl,” where the wave can close out onto the rocks. Rescue at the spot is described as none by one provider, and the area is also described as having limited rescue capacity regionally—so the safest approach is to only paddle/enter when you can confidently manage the rock sections and take-off timing between sets. Crowds can be a factor. The spot is described as sometimes crowded, and it’s consistently busy during peak conditions (especially weekends and when the point is working). Localism is described as heavy: etiquette and respecting locals are emphasized, and strict surfing conduct is expected in the competitive lineup. Access involves a car park at the end of Angourie Road with a short walk to the headland, but parking is limited and fills quickly on good swells.
- National Surfing Reserve status (first in NSW)
- Reliable exposed point break with clean offshore SW–W winds
- Hollow, high-performance walls and long rides on suitable setups
- Rocky sections and a notorious closeout zone ('Toilet Bowl')
- Reliable, exposed point break with generally offshore southwest-to-west winds for clean faces.
- World-class ride quality on the right swell/wind/tide setup, including long, fast, hollow sections.
- Best in April per multiple sources; can remain organized on larger swells.
- Advanced, rock-heavy take-off/launch environment with hazardous closeouts on sections like the 'Toilet Bowl'.
- Sharks and sharp rocks are reported hazards.
- Highly competitive and locally protective lineup; crowd/competition can increase risk.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, S, W
- Offshore directions
- SW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider conflict: one source describes offshore winds from the southwest (best for surf), while another labels wind type as frontal.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Wind described as steady in one provider result.
- Best Months
- April
- Shadow Zones
- A high headland provides some protection from southerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sand composition reported by one source; other provider describes rocky volcanic shelf/rocks for the take-off and inside.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Huge — Described as huge with significant size handled while staying organized.
- Launch
- Medium — Access to the water is typically via rocks at the tip of the point; requires careful timing between sets.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Rock take-off and tricky entries make launch difficult; requires advanced experience and timing.
Through the year
Consistently crowded, especially when the point is working; weekends see the highest visitor numbers.
Summer can bring tropical low-pressure systems and heavy rain.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed point break with serious moxie and reliable surf, offering both right and left-hand sections on a sandy/rocky bottom depending on conditions and sections. The wave is known for a powerful, hollow right-hand wall, with a steep take-off over rock and a notorious inside section called the 'Toilet Bowl' that can close out onto rocks.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is listed as optimal.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point with only partial shelter from the headland.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the southwest to west groom the face perfectly; southerlies are somewhat tolerated due to the headland.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles significant size and stays organized even when swell exceeds roughly 3-4 meters; tends to remain a high-performance point but becomes more hazardous near rock sections.
- Wave Quality
- World class — Described as world-class on the right setup.
- Wave Power
- Very powerful — Described as powerful and able to stay organized on larger swells.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Can become extremely hollow, especially near the take-off/inside section.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Peeling is fast on good days.
- Ride Length
- Long — Long, high-performance wall; on best days can peel for 150-200 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- Right and left are both referenced across sources; one provider emphasizes a right-hand point break with long rides and an inside section ('Toilet Bowl').
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Angourie Point (NSW - North Coast) in the full forecast view.
Angourie Point (NSW - North Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–13 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- NE54°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2413 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.9 m7s period
- Temperature
- 17–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Angourie Point (NSW - North Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.9–1.9 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
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
- sharks
- heavy currents
- large crowds
- volcanic rock shelves and boulders
- dangerous closeouts onto the rocks at the 'Toilet Bowl' section
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards at the spot per one provider result.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — One provider indicates no rescue availability at the spot level; regional context describes limited surf rescue coverage in the area.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are located in Maclean and Grafton; dial 000 for emergency services.
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Highly competitive local atmosphere; locals are highly protective of the wave.
Rules of the spot
Strict surfing etiquette is expected in a highly competitive lineup; respect locals and observe entry/exit areas before heading down.
- Advanced skill level strongly recommended due to fast sections and tricky rock take-offs/entries.
- Avoid the rocks-heavy end section if you are caught in a closeout.
- Observe entry and exit points from the headland before heading down.
- The inside section known as the 'Toilet Bowl' can push surfers toward the rocks—treat it as especially dangerous.
- Locals are highly protective of the wave; respect is mandatory.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Coffs Harbour
- Nearest Town
- Angourie
- Parking
- Limited parking is available at the end of Angourie Road and fills quickly on weekends and during good swells.
- Access
- Follow Angourie Road to the very end where the National Park car park is located; a short walking track leads to the headland.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday rentals and boutique stays in Angourie; larger hotels and campsites in nearby Yamba.
- Food & Drink
- A small cafe is located near the entrance to the village; more options are available in Yamba.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboards and stand-up paddleboards are readily available for rent in Yamba and Angourie (regional context).
- Gear Storage
- Not commonly available as a standalone service; usually provided by local accommodation or schools for their guests (regional context).
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops in Yamba provide fiberglass and epoxy repair services for surfboards (regional context).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Angourie and the surrounding Northern Rivers coast are closely tied to surfing identity and nearby Yuraygir National Park, with rugged natural scenery and coastal walking opportunities.
Deep freshwater swimming holes formed in an old rock quarry, located adjacent to the ocean.
The first site in New South Wales to be gazetted as a National Surfing Reserve, recognizing its historical and environmental significance.
A 65km multi-day hiking trail that begins in Angourie and follows the coastline south through pristine national park.
A popular local restaurant in Angourie known for its Italian-inspired menu and relaxed atmosphere.
A historic lighthouse offering panoramic views of the coastline and excellent whale watching opportunities during migration season.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Angourie Point (NSW - North Coast)?
The best overall months at Angourie Point (NSW - North Coast) are April.
Which wind directions work at Angourie Point (NSW - North Coast)?
Angourie Point (NSW - North Coast) works with SW, S, W winds. Offshore directions are SW.
What skill level is Angourie Point (NSW - North Coast) suitable for?
Angourie Point (NSW - North Coast) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.