Coffs Harbour North Wall
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Coffs Harbour North Wall is an exposed surfing spot on the NSW North Coast where the breakwater helps shape sandbanks for peelable right-handers. Conditions are often described as fairly consistent, especially when the swell and wind line up as expected. Wind-wise, the spot performs best with offshore southwest winds, which tend to clean up the wave face. Sources also note some sheltering/shaping influence from the southerly wind direction, but overall the setup remains exposed. For swell, southeast (and sometimes east) swells are the key drivers. The wave is commonly described as having moderate wave power with peeling sections, and ride length can be substantial when the banks form well right next to the wall. Safety is a major focus at North Wall: the area includes rocks/breakwater hazards and reports of sharks in the region, and strong rip currents can run alongside the wall. It can also be busy during peak swells, so surf etiquette and situational awareness around the peak are important.
- Breakwater shaping for right-hand peelers
- Offshore southwest winds improve face conditions
- Southeast swell is the key ingredient
- Exposed, fairly consistent wave at the North Wall.
- Typically works best with offshore southwest winds and southeast swell.
- Breakwater shaping often produces peelable right-handers.
- Hazardous launch zone with rocks/breakwater structure.
- Strong rip currents frequently run alongside the breakwater wall.
- Shark sightings in the region are reported.
- Can get crowded during peak swells.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WSW, SW
- Offshore directions
- SW, WSW, W
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Offshore southwest winds typically clean the face; otherwise conditions are a mix of wind directions.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- June
- Shadow Zones
- The breakwater wall can create a wind shadow in southerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocks/breakwater structure; also described as sand/north-side sandy entry affecting sandbars.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Reported as medium overall.
- Chop Level
- Light chop
- Launch
- Medium — Point break at wall structure; sandy entry directly north of the breakwater.
Through the year
Highest during summer school holidays and on weekends with good swells.
Summer and autumn can see increased rainfall and occasional East Coast Lows.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed break that can be fairly consistent. The North Wall breakwater helps shape sandbanks for quality right-handers; rips frequently run alongside the breakwater wall.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SE, E, SSE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid, All tides — Sources disagree on exact tide preference (low, mid, or general use).
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point/breakwater setup; the wall may provide some shaping/shelter versus certain southerly winds.
- Wind Effect
- Works best in offshore southwest winds; some shelter from south winds. West and Southwest winds are offshore and help clean the face.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but may close out in heavy East swell.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Generally described as fairly consistent with good quality when banks form near the wall.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Commonly described as producing peelable right-handers.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typically offers a 50–100 m ride depending on bank quality.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves typically provide a right-hand ride; length varies with bank quality, commonly around 75 m when conditions are good.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Coffs Harbour North Wall in the full forecast view.
Coffs Harbour North Wall wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–13 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- NE48°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2413 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–2.2 m8s period
- Temperature
- 16–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Coffs Harbour North Wall is forecast for daytime winds of 3–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.0–2.2 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
- rocks
- sharks
- strong rip currents
- crowds during peak swells
- breakwater rocks
- submerged sandbars
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards/patrols are seasonal (primary beaches).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited for this type of break; emergency services are available via the regional 24-hour health/emergency system.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency call 000. Coffs Harbour Health Campus is the nearest major hospital.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; priority to those closest to the peak.
- Beware of rips, rocks and sharks.
- Watch for the 'Express' rip that can pull you out past the break quickly.
- The best banks usually form right next to the wall.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Coffs Harbour
- Nearest Town
- Coffs Harbour
- Nearest Airport
- Coffs Harbour Airport (CFS) ~4 km from the city centre
- Parking
- Free public parking available at the end of Jordan Esplanade.
- Public Transport
- Local buses (Busways) and the North Coast railway line connecting to Sydney and Brisbane.
- Access
- Beach access at the North Wall structure in Coffs Harbour (follow Jordan Esplanade past the Marina to the car park at the base of the North Wall).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels and apartments in the Jetty and Marina area; a range of accommodation options in/near Coffs Harbour.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous cafes and restaurants are available near the Coffs Harbour Marina.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at local surf shops in the Jetty area.
- Gear Repair
- Surfboard/board repairs available at local shops in 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 Coffs Harbour North Wall?
The best overall months at Coffs Harbour North Wall are April, May, June, July, August. The best wind months are June.
Which wind directions work at Coffs Harbour North Wall?
Coffs Harbour North Wall works with W, WSW, SW winds. Offshore directions are SW, WSW, W.
What skill level is Coffs Harbour North Wall suitable for?
Coffs Harbour North Wall suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.