Clovelly Bombie (NSW Sydney South Coast)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Clovelly Bombie is an exposed reef break on the Sydney South Coast that is known for being selective and inconsistent unless the swell is sufficiently large. The spot sits over a rocky reef with rips and rocks/submerged sections, and conditions can quickly become hazardous when surf is building. When it comes alive, it’s primarily described as a powerful, hollow right-hand reef wave. Spot-level descriptions emphasize that substantial winter swell is required before the reef starts breaking properly, and that the wave can hold serious size in bigger conditions. Offshore west to northwest winds are generally associated with cleaner surf quality when the swell is in the right range. The best month for the break is June, and spot-level conditions are most associated with heavy winter swell periods. Wind sources indicate offshore influence from west (and west/northwest), while wind reliability is described as low/variable; the spot therefore benefits from careful timing with both swell and wind. Safety-wise, expect rocky hazards, strong currents, and rips; entry and exit via the rocks can be extremely dangerous in high surf. Even though this area is monitored across the wider region, spot-level guidance here indicates no rescue availability at the break—so advanced surfers should plan conservatively and only go when conditions are within their comfort and control.
- Offshore west to northwest winds can clean up conditions.
- June is the key month for the swell needed to start breaking properly.
- Hollow, powerful right-hand reef waves when it fires.
- Offshore west to northwest winds can produce cleaner conditions.
- Best month centers on June, aligning with larger swell periods.
- Powerful, hollow right-hand reef waves when it fires.
- Extremely exposed rocky reef setup with rips and shallow sections.
- Only works reliably on substantial swells (selective/variable).
- Advanced skill required for entry/exit and for handling big, hollow waves.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NW
- Offshore directions
- W, NW
- Wind Type
- Frontal — West to northwest winds; sources describe offshore conditions and a frontal pattern.
- Reliability
- low
- Best Months
- June, July, August
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef/rocky composition at the launch and break area.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Spot-level sources also describe big, storm-driven surf behavior when it properly fires.
- Launch
- Medium — Rock entry from the southern headland or a long paddle from the beach.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Rocky/reef access and hazardous entry/exit.
Through the year
Sometimes crowded; often rarely crowded outside prime days due to difficulty/size requirements.
Major storms are most likely when East Coast Lows move through between May and July.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break ("bombie") that only comes alive during substantial swells; requires hefty winter swell to break properly and is hazardous due to rocks and rips.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 2–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is commonly preferred.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open/exposed reef headland setup.
- Wind Effect
- West or northwest winds provide clean, offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds massive size; begins breaking properly when other nearby areas are closing out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Can be inconsistent; works best when swell is large enough.
- Wave Power
- Very powerful — Known to require substantial winter swell to start breaking properly.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow right-hand reef wave when it fires.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast section over the reef after takeoff.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Short, intense takeoff followed by a fast section.
- Ride Length Details
- Provides a short, intense takeoff followed by a fast section over the reef.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Clovelly Bombie (NSW Sydney South Coast) in the full forecast view.
Clovelly Bombie (NSW Sydney South Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–16 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- E80°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2616 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–2.2 m8s period
- Temperature
- 13–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Clovelly Bombie (NSW Sydney South Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.8–2.2 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
- rips
- rocks
- strong currents
- shallow reef sections
- large wave impact
- sharks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards at this spot per spot-level sources.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level sources indicate no rescue availability.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services via 000; nearest major hospital: Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Highly skilled local chargers expected on prime days.
Rules of the spot
Surf priority and etiquette apply. Conditions at this exposed reef can require advanced judgment for entry/exit and timing.
- Beware of rips and rocks.
- Spot is selective and demands a solid wave.
- Wait for a large south swell with light west winds for the spot to work.
- Entry and exit via the rocks can be extremely dangerous in high surf.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Sydney
- Nearest Town
- Clovelly
- Parking
- Limited street parking available near the residential area and near the Clovelly beach car park.
- Access
- Access is via the southern headland of Clovelly Bay or by paddling out from the beach area. Directions: In Clovelly, go south on Arden St, left at Arcadia St to Dunningham Reserve, then track to the bottom.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation available in nearby Coogee and Bondi.
- Food & Drink
- Several cafes and a hotel within walking distance.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals at the reef; surfboard rentals available nearby in Coogee or Bondi.
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 Clovelly Bombie (NSW Sydney South Coast)?
The best overall months at Clovelly Bombie (NSW Sydney South Coast) are June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Clovelly Bombie (NSW Sydney South Coast)?
Clovelly Bombie (NSW Sydney South Coast) works with W, NW winds. Offshore directions are W, NW.
What skill level is Clovelly Bombie (NSW Sydney South Coast) suitable for?
Clovelly Bombie (NSW Sydney South Coast) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.