Arrawarra
- Longboard, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Arrawarra is a classic right-hand point break known for long, mellow, peeling waves along a rocky headland that pushes out from the beach. Multiple descriptions emphasize consistent, clean conditions through most of the year, with glassy faces often forming when the wind is favorably offshore. For wave selection, the spot is characterized as working best with east to south-east swell directions and sizes commonly in the roughly 1.0 to 2.4 meter range (with some sources noting peak performance closer to the 1.2 to 2.4 meter window). The wave’s shape stays peeling and holds well as it builds—down to more gentle, beginner-friendly lines and up toward double-overhead—while the headland geometry can create longer wrap-around rides. Wind is most favorable when offshore from the west/southwest (with south winds being more sheltered by the headland). Wind reliability is described as moderate, with typical reported ranges that are not extreme; some winter months are highlighted as better windows for surf. Peak swell/wave season is described as winter (May to August) with additional emphasis on April/May as strong periods. Safety-wise, take the rocky take-off zone seriously: rocks/submerged hazards are a primary concern, especially at low tide near the point. Sweep currents can increase during larger swells, and marine life including sharks is listed as a hazard. Lifeguard and rescue coverage is described as seasonal/limited in the area—so plan for self-management, use a leash, and prioritize cautious paddling and take-off near the headland.
- Iconic longboarding-style right-hand point with very long, peeling lines.
- Clean/glassy faces often possible with offshore SW/W winds.
- Long, peeling right-hand point break with consistently clean/glassy conditions much of the year.
- Offshore grooming from the west/southwest often improves wave face quality.
- Rides can run into the hundreds of meters in ideal conditions.
- Rocky take-off zone/headland area (extra care at low tide).
- Sweep currents can occur during larger swells.
- Can get crowded during weekends/school holidays and mild localism is reported.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SW, W
- Offshore directions
- SW, W
- Wind Range
- 6–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Mixed trade/sea-level pattern noted by providers; offshore grooming most often cited from the west/southwest.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Also described as light-gusts by another provider; overall guidance suggests gusts are not extreme.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- The headland provides significant protection from southerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach with rocky headland.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Providers describe small to medium surf depending on conditions.
- Launch
- Small — Shore launch from a sandy beach with a rocky headland; easy paddle out is reported.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy shore launch/paddle out is reported.
Through the year
Busy during weekends; busiest during school holidays and peak months.
Late summer can see increased rainfall and occasional tropical depressions; late-summer humid period brings the highest rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A right-hand point break over rock and sand (including a ~700m headland extension). Conditions are described as glassy/clean much of the year, with the wave holding through larger sizes.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- E, ENE, ESE, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Also reported as mid tide by another provider; low tide is explicitly cited as optimal for some conditions.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Sheltered from south winds by the headland.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from SW/W groom the wave face; southerlies are more sheltered by the headland.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to around double overhead; sweep currents can increase during larger swells, making paddling out harder.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Also described as good by another provider; overall consensus is very high quality.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Also described as soft by another provider; works from mellow to bigger sizes.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Right-hand point with long, peeling lines.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Also described as slow/long-peeling by another provider; overall feel is gentle.
- Ride Length
- Long — Rides reported up to ~100 meters; another source suggests 100–200 meters in ideal conditions.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can wrap around the headland, producing very long rides in good conditions.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Arrawarra in the full forecast view.
Arrawarra wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–12 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- ENE68°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2512 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.5 m8s period
- Temperature
- 15–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Arrawarra is forecast for daytime winds of 3–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.8–1.5 m with a period of about 8s. 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
- submerged rocks near the headland
- sweep currents on larger swells
- urchins on rockier sections
- localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal presence is reported; also specifically patrolled during late December through late January.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited in the wider cluster; spot-level sources also indicate limited/no immediate rescue coverage.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services via 000; nearest major hospital in Coffs Harbour. Coastguard contact via local emergency services (where applicable).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism is reported as a mild factor.
Rules of the spot
Patrolled from 27 December to 26 January; general surf etiquette applies (yield to riders already on the wave further up the point).
- Watch out for the rocks at the point, especially at low tide.
- The rocky bottom near the headland means taking off close to the headland requires care.
- Offshore winds from the west/southwest produce the cleanest faces; south winds are more sheltered.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Coffs Harbour
- Nearest Town
- Arrawarra
- Parking
- Public parking available near First Avenue (Arrawarra Headland) and also near the boat ramp/holiday park entrance.
- Access
- Near First Avenue, Arrawarra Headland NSW 2456; short walk from parking to beach. Also accessed via Arrawarra Beach Road leading directly to the beachfront/headland area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday park accommodation is adjacent to the surf area; additional accommodation is available in the Arrawarra/Coffs Harbour area.
- Food & Drink
- Limited nearby; fuller options available in Coffs Harbour area.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available through local surf schools/shops in the wider area.
- Gear Storage
- Mainly via holiday parks/surf camps for guests.
- Gear Repair
- Board/gear repair available in Woolgoolga or Coffs Harbour.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Arrawarra?
The best overall months at Arrawarra are April, May, September, October, November. The best wind months are May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Arrawarra?
Arrawarra works with S, SW, W winds. Offshore directions are SW, W.
What skill level is Arrawarra suitable for?
Arrawarra suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Advanced.