Back Beach Plommer
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Back Beach Plommer (Port Macquarie area) is an exposed sandy beach break known for fairly consistent surf. It can produce multiple peaks and workable left and right-hand sections depending on the sandbar setup. For waves, the best swell direction is south, with additional guidance pointing to south and south-east swells. Recommended swell size is roughly 1.0 to 2.5 meters, with the reminder that when swell builds beyond about 2.5–3 meters the wave can start to close out. The spot is also generally described as more punchy/consistent compared with nearby sheltered options. Wind-wise, westerly winds are the most favorable (offshore). Any easterly component can make conditions messy. A strong seasonal pattern for the wider Plommer & Limeburners Creek area is afternoon sea-breeze building from late morning/through afternoon during the warmer months (roughly October through March). Safety is a key consideration: strong rip currents are often present, and submerged rocks are especially noted toward the northern end. There is no lifeguard service at the remote beach, so visitors should plan self-rescue readiness and avoid overestimating conditions near the rockier section.
- Exposed sandy beach break with quite consistent surf
- Multiple peaks and both left/right-hand options
- Westerly winds are more offshore-favorable
- Quite consistent surf for an exposed beach break
- Wide sandy beach and straightforward access
- Works best with south swell and offshore westerly winds
- Exposed conditions
- Strong rip currents can be present
- Submerged rocks (especially toward the northern end)
- No permanent on-site rescue services at the beach
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW, NW
- Offshore directions
- W
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Best wind described as westerly; summer often dominated by afternoon north-easterly sea breezes (regional pattern).
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar · Dir: NE, NNE, ENE, E, ESE · Regional thermal sea-breeze window is often cited as building from late morning through afternoon.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Additional guidance indicates working swell around 1.0–2.5 meters.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach launch area.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Wide sandy launch area.
Through the year
Can get busy during school holidays and weekends due to the adjacent campground.
Summer months can experience tropical low pressure systems and heavy rain.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed beach break in the Port Macquarie area with quite consistent surf, often featuring multiple peaks and left/right-hand options.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE, S
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Tide not specifically restricted.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open coast setting with limited protection from wind; exposed beach break.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore with westerly winds; gets messy with any easterly component.
- Bigger Swell
- Can start to close out when swell exceeds about 2.5–3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Described as average, with more consistency and punch than nearby sheltered breaks.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Ground truth describes quite consistent surf; additional detail rates wave power as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typically offers medium-length, peaky rides depending on sandbar formations.
- Ride Length Details
- Peaky rides that depend on prevailing sandbar formations.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Back Beach Plommer in the full forecast view.
Back Beach Plommer wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–15 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- NE54°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2515 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.9 m7s period
- Temperature
- 15–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Back Beach Plommer is forecast for daytime winds of 3–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.8–1.9 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
- strong rip currents often present
- rocks
- submerged rocks primarily at the northern end of the beach
- sharks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No on-site lifeguard services at the remote beach; seasonal patrols may exist nearby.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No permanent on-site rescue services at the remote beaches; seasonal patrols by Surf Life Saving Australia occur at nearby towns.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency dial 000; nearest medical facility is in Port Macquarie (distance varies by road conditions).
Rules of the spot
Be prepared for strong rip currents and submerged rocks, especially near the northern end of the beach.
- The northern corner near the rocks often has the most defined banks but also the strongest rips—consider surfing it on a small to medium south swell when the main point is too small.
- For surf quality, westerly winds are more favorable; conditions can become messy with any easterly component.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Port Macquarie
- Nearest Town
- Crescent Head
- Nearest Airport
- Port Macquarie Airport (PQQ)
- Parking
- Parking available at the Point Plomer campground and day-use area.
- Public Transport
- Public transport is non-existent to this specific coastal area; private vehicle access required.
- Access
- Accessible via the unpaved Point Plomer Road within Limeburners Creek National Park.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping is available at the Point Plomer campground managed by NSW National Parks; hotels are available in Port Macquarie.
- Food & Drink
- Basic supplies are available in Port Macquarie or Crescent Head; no shops at the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available in Port Macquarie for various water sports.
- Gear Storage
- No on-site gear storage; visitors typically store equipment in vehicles or at their campsite.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard and kite repair services can be found in Port Macquarie.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A rustic coastal setting within Limeburners Creek National Park with wide beaches, natural scenery, and a nearby tourism hub in Port Macquarie for food and supplies.
A 19th-century lighthouse offering panoramic coastline views.
World-renowned facility dedicated to rescue and rehabilitation of wild koalas.
Scenic coastal walk through rare littoral rainforest and along dramatic cliffs.
Coastal walking along the 14 km shoreline from Point Plomer to the Hastings River mouth.
Tropical-themed waterfront cafe and bar in Port Macquarie.
Picnic area and car park behind the southern end of Point Plomer beach.
Wildlife park featuring koalas, kangaroos, and exotic animals.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Back Beach Plommer?
The best overall months at Back Beach Plommer are March, April, September, October, November, December, January, February. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Back Beach Plommer?
Back Beach Plommer works with W, SW, NW winds. Offshore directions are W.
What skill level is Back Beach Plommer suitable for?
Back Beach Plommer suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.