Camel Rock
- Bodyboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Camel Rock is a low-profile beach-break area at Wallaga Lake (north of Bermagui) with a sandy bottom and a focus around the camel-shaped rock formation. It is known for rarely breaking—roughly only five days per year—so sessions tend to be highly weather/swell dependent. The main surf peak is near the rock, with banks sometimes forming along the beach (especially toward the north). Depending on conditions, waves can produce occasional left-hand set-ups, but overall the surf is described as having both-wave-direction potential. Typical outcomes are medium-length rides when sandbanks are well formed. Wind-wise, west and northwest winds act offshore and tend to groom the swell into cleaner faces, while easterly winds are onshore and can make conditions messy. The spot is most often associated with June through August, and a best overall window is described as autumn and winter for more consistent swell and favorable offshore winds. Safety is the key factor: strong rip currents are common, particularly near the rock formations and toward the northern end of the beach. Rocks and scattered rocks add additional risk, and sharks are also noted. Avoid swimming or surfing alone if you’re not experienced with ocean currents, and respect nature-reserve restrictions (including no camping and no dogs in the main beach area).
- Iconic camel-shaped rock formation
- Sandbank waves when conditions align
- Offshore grooming with west/northwest winds
- When it lines up, it offers peeling, groomed sandbank waves with consistent potential.
- Offshore winds (west to northwest) can improve wave faces.
- Parking and a short walk make setup straightforward.
- Rarely breaks (around 5 days per year).
- Rip currents are strong and notorious.
- Hazardous rock formations in and around the surf zone.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NW
- Offshore directions
- W, NW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Reported as a frontal pattern; winter conditions are also consistent with frontal/wind-gradient systems in the region.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported.
- Best Months
- June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- Camel Rock formation provides some shelter from southerly winds at the very southern end of the beach.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Medium wave size reported.
- Launch
- Small — Sandy beach entry directly in front of the car park.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch described as easy.
Through the year
Generally quiet on weekdays, but can get busy on weekends and during school holidays with tourists from Bermagui.
No distinct rainy season; occasional heavy East Coast Low storms in autumn and winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Sandy-bottom surf that rarely breaks (about 5 days per year). When it does work, the main peak is near the camel-shaped rock, with occasional left-hand waves and additional banks often forming toward the north.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide reported as optimal.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Semi-sheltered overall; the southern end near the rocks is more sheltered from southerly winds.
- Wind Effect
- West and Northwest winds are offshore, grooming the swell into cleaner faces. Easterly winds are onshore and create messier conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold size up to around 3 meters, but on very large straight-east swells it begins to close out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality reported as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling shape reported.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling waves reported with medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides typically described as 50 to 100 meters on well-formed sandbanks.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can provide rides of roughly 50 to 100 meters when sandbanks are well-formed.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Camel Rock in the full forecast view.
Camel Rock wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–13 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- ENE64°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–2.1 m8s period
- Temperature
- 11–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Camel Rock is forecast for daytime winds of 2–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.8–2.1 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
- Strong rip currents
- Sharks
- Scattered rocks in the surf zone (around the beach)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards present.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue availability is noted for the spot.
- Emergency Info
- No rescue service is noted. Nearest hospital is South East Regional Hospital in Bega.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism described.
Rules of the spot
Standard surf etiquette applies. The area is part of a nature reserve—stay on designated paths to protect dunes.
- No camping on the beach
- No dogs allowed on the main beach area
- Protect dunes: stay on designated paths
- Rip currents here are notorious—do not swim or surf alone if you aren't experienced with ocean currents.
- Check sandbanks after a big storm as they shift frequently.
- The southern end near the rocks is more sheltered from southerly winds.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Bermagui
- Nearest Town
- Bermagui
- Parking
- Two car parks available; use the top car park near the rock (medium-sized gravel car park with direct access and a lookout).
- Access
- Accessible via Camel Rock Road off the Wallaga Lake Road. A short walk from the car park leads to the beach. Alternative driving directions: Turn left to Bermagui just after Tilba heading south, go over Wallaga Lake bridge, up the hill to Beauty Point turnoff on the right. 50m after this, turn left where a sign says 'Camel Rock'. Drive past first car park, around the corner to top car park.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Caravan parks and holiday rentals are available in Wallaga Lake and nearby Bermagui.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on the beach itself; cafes and shops are located in Bermagui (about a 10-minute drive away).
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard rentals are available in Bermagui.
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 Camel Rock?
The best overall months at Camel Rock are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. The best wind months are June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Camel Rock?
Camel Rock works with W, NW winds. Offshore directions are W, NW.
What skill level is Camel Rock suitable for?
Camel Rock suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.