Coneeleys Reef (NSW - South Coast)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Coneeleys Reef is an exposed reef break on the NSW South Coast that offers both left and right wave options, but it typically doesn’t work very often. It tends to require the right combination of a southeast (south to southeast) swell wrapping into the reef and offshore winds from the west to west-northwest to produce properly shaped, rideable waves. When the conditions line up, the surf can be powerful and hollow, with fast, vertical walls and the potential for barrels—especially on the right-hand wave option described for the southern end of Bherwerre Beach. Ride length can be substantial, with reports up to around 100 meters and typical rides often falling in the 50–100 meter range. The reef is described as shallow over rock, so conditions can change quickly and become heavier if the water movement over the reef increases. Access is restricted and more involved than at beach breaks: entry is within Booderee National Park with park rules and fees, and reaching the reef may require a long bush walk or boat access. The spot is remote, and limited mobile reception is reported; nearest medical care is in Nowra. Safety-wise, hazards include sharp reef/rocks, submerged rocks and kelp, and sharks. Strong rip currents are also noted as possible depending on swell size, and the area is described as isolated with no lifeguards and no rescue availability reported for the reef. Overall, the spot is best approached with advanced experience and careful timing—often during winter months with favorable offshore west winds and a solid south/seast swell.
- Low-profile, remote reef-break riding
- Hollow right-hand potential with occasional barrels when conditions align
- Winter offshore wind windows can groom the face
- Exposed reef-break riding with hollow sections and occasional barrels.
- Offshore west to west-northwest winds can strongly groom the face when a southeast swell wraps in.
- Works infrequently and is somewhat inconsistent.
- Shallow reef/rocks and strong currents/rips are possible depending on swell size.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WNW
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Offshore conditions typically come from the west to west-northwest; winds are described as offshore-preferred for surf shaping.
- Reliability
- Moderate reliability for offshore conditions in winter.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Reported as moderate-gusts for typical conditions in the spot’s winter window.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- Shadowed by cliffs or high terrain during certain inland wind angles.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky/reef environment.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium wave size reported, with capability for larger swell handling (when it wraps properly).
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry or paddle out from nearby sandy beach sections.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Difficult rocky entry and long approach through Booderee National Park.
Through the year
Generally low crowds due to the remote location and the effort required to reach it.
East Coast Lows can occur during winter and autumn, bringing heavy rain and extreme swell.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Coneeleys Reef is an exposed reef break that offers a choice of left and right waves, but it works infrequently. It typically requires a solid southeast swell to wrap around and offshore west-northwest winds to perform. When it does fire, it can produce hollow right-hand reef sections with fast, vertical walls and occasional barrels; conditions can become heavy and dangerous if water movement increases over the shallow reef.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SE, S, SSE
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Sources indicate best surf at low to medium tides; another source specifies low tide and also notes best at mid tide depending on the swell/timing.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef break with limited shelter; relies on correct swell wrap to shape the break.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore West to west-northwest winds groom the face and are preferred for best surf shaping.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells, but becomes heavy and dangerous with significant water movement over the reef.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality reported as good when the right swell and offshore wind line up.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful reef break with hollow sections reported.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow sections reported; can be very rewarding but inconsistent.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast, vertical wall with barreling potential on the right-hand option.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Up to 100 meters reported; typical ride length described as medium.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Reported up to 100 meters (and typically 50–100 meters).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Coneeleys Reef (NSW - South Coast) in the full forecast view.
Coneeleys Reef (NSW - South Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- ENE75°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2511 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–2.0 m8s period
- Temperature
- 11–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Coneeleys Reef (NSW - South Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 23 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
- Rocks
- Sharp reef
- Submerged rocks
- Kelp
- Sharks
- Strong rip currents possible depending on swell size
- Isolation
- Remote area with limited mobile reception
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported on site.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue availability reported for the reef.
- Emergency Info
- Remote area with limited mobile reception; nearest hospital is in Nowra. Nearest emergency services can be reached via emergency number 000.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism described as mild.
Rules of the spot
Entry fees and park rules apply (Booderee National Park). Be prepared for a long walk to the southern end of the beach and limited access options.
- Located within Booderee National Park - entry fees and park rules apply
- Difficult rocky access/entry; long walk or boat access required
- Needs a big south swell to wrap in and work properly.
- Tends to be very shallow on the inside—be cautious at low tide.
- The walk to the southern end of the beach is long; plan accordingly with water.
- Best surf conditions reported when a southeast swell combines with offshore west-northwest winds; winter westerlies blowing are often the best timing.
- Consider early morning or winter westerlies for offshore-groomed faces.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Nowra
- Nearest Town
- Jervis Bay
- Parking
- Parking available at Booderee National Park trailheads (e.g., Cave Beach parking area).
- Public Transport
- Very limited; a private vehicle is essential for accessing the coastline and moving between spots.
- Access
- Accessed via a bush walk through Booderee National Park or by boat from Jervis Bay; rocky entry or paddle out from nearby sandy beach sections.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping available within Booderee National Park; holiday rentals in nearby Jervis Bay towns.
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 Coneeleys Reef (NSW - South Coast)?
The best overall months at Coneeleys Reef (NSW - South Coast) are May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Coneeleys Reef (NSW - South Coast)?
Coneeleys Reef (NSW - South Coast) works with W, WNW winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW.
What skill level is Coneeleys Reef (NSW - South Coast) suitable for?
Coneeleys Reef (NSW - South Coast) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Advanced.