Bendalong Beach (New South Wales)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Bendalong Beach is an exposed NSW South Coast beach break known for fairly consistent surf, with winter/spring months tending to produce the most reliable conditions. It’s described as having both left and right wave options depending on the setup, and it can still pick up swell when some nearby breaks are less active. The break is workable across tide stages, which helps flexibility for planning sessions. For safety, the beach is associated with rip currents as a primary hazard, and rocks and sharks are also reported hazards. The spot can be very crowded, particularly around school holidays and summer weekends due to nearby accommodation. Even when the surf looks inviting, riders should assume strong current and stay aware of entry/exit routes. Wind-wise, summer often features North-East sea breezes, with an afternoon peak, while westerly winds tend to be more favorable for offshore conditions. Typical winds are often described in the low-to-mid teens up to the mid-20s in knots, with gusting noted as generally light. A northern headland effect can create localized wind shadowing for North-East winds close to the cliff. Overall, Bendalong is primarily a surfing destination aimed at intermediate surfers, but it also sees occasional crossover use from wingfoilers and kitesurfers during suitable sea-breeze conditions. Because the area is exposed and the hazards are real, checking wind, swell, and current conditions before you commit is emphasized.
- Exposed, consistent beach break surf
- Works across all tides
- Seasonal best month: May
- Rips are a key hazard; rocks/sharks reported
- Fairly consistent beach break with reliable swell
- Works across all tide levels
- Generally clean water conditions are reported
- Exposed conditions can mean strong winds and variable chop
- Crowds can be heavy at times (especially school holidays and weekends)
- Rips are a key hazard and rocks/sharks are reported hazards
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, NW, W, SW
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW, NW
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Summer tends to feature consistent North-East sea breezes; winter can be more frontal/variable.
- Reliability
- Moderate reliability for sea breezes in summer; frontal winds in winter.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February
- Shadow Zones
- The northern headland can create a wind shadow for North-East winds close to the cliff.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Medium — Easy access via track from the car park with instant access (<5 minutes walk).
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy access via track from the car park; some descriptions rate launch as moderate.
Through the year
Can become very crowded during school holidays and summer weekends.
Rain possible year-round; occasional East Coast Low storm events in winter/spring and late summer/autumn can bring heavy weather.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Occasionally used for kitesurfing during North-East sea breezes with cross-onshore conditions and small to medium waves.
Suitable for wingfoiling in North-East winds, though experience is recommended due to shore break and occasional heavier swell.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach break with fairly consistent surf; can pick up swell when other nearby options are flat.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE, E
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Also reported as working best at mid tide by some descriptions.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore in west to north-west winds; North-East winds can create chop but can still be usable for other sports.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and close out during massive South swells, but generally holds up well up to around 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Fairly consistent with workable conditions across tide levels.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Average rides often run roughly 50 to 150 meters depending on sandbar formation.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Average rides range between 50 and 150 meters depending on sandbar formation.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Bendalong Beach (New South Wales) in the full forecast view.
Bendalong Beach (New South Wales) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- ENE78°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 249 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–2.0 m8s period
- Temperature
- 10–33 °C
Over the next 7 days, Bendalong Beach (New South Wales) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.8–2.0 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
- rip currents
- rocks
- sharks
- sun exposure
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards may be seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability is listed as no at the beach level, though regional rescue support can be limited.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are located in Milton or Ulladulla.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
There are currently no services provided by Surf Life Saving Australia for this beach. Standard Australian surf etiquette applies; respect local beach rules regarding dog-friendly zones. No motorized watercraft in designated swimming areas.
- Seasonal dog restrictions in some zones
- No motorized watercraft in designated swimming areas
- The beach is quite exposed, so check the wind forecast; if it is too windy, choose a more sheltered option nearby.
- Stingrays are frequently seen in the shallows near the boat ramp areas nearby.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Bendalong, Shoalhaven
- Nearest Town
- Bendalong
- Parking
- Car park located to the right of the caravan park at the end of the road; instant access (<5 min walk) to the beach.
- Access
- Located at the end of the road in the township of Bendalong, just south of the caravan park. Follow the Bendalong turn-off from the Princes Highway, drive straight to the caravan park, then pull into the car park to the right and follow the track to the beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday accommodation includes a caravan park and rental houses in the village.
- Food & Drink
- A general store and cafe are located within the Bendalong village.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited rental options in Bendalong; more extensive surf shops available in Ulladulla.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Nature-forward destination with pristine beaches, national parks and marine sanctuaries and a relaxed coastal lifestyle.
Iconic hike with panoramic coastline and Budawang Wilderness views.
World-class diving, snorkeling, and whale watching opportunities just north of the region.
Scenic ocean pool for family swimming and relaxing away from the surf.
19th-century heritage village with galleries and boutique shops.
Boutique winery, brewery, and restaurant between Milton and Ulladulla.
Calm and safe for children.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Bendalong Beach (New South Wales)?
The best overall months at Bendalong Beach (New South Wales) are March, April, May. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at Bendalong Beach (New South Wales)?
Bendalong Beach (New South Wales) works with N, NE, NW, W, SW winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW, NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Bendalong Beach (New South Wales)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Bendalong Beach (New South Wales): Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Bendalong Beach (New South Wales) suitable for?
Bendalong Beach (New South Wales) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced to Expert · Wingfoiling: Advanced to Expert · Surfing: Intermediate.