Coneeleys Reef (NSW - South Coast)

Surfing
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • 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.
Heads up
  • Works infrequently and is somewhat inconsistent.
  • Shallow reef/rocks and strong currents/rips are possible depending on swell size.
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
16–24 °C
Water Temperature
9–26 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
May–Aug: 4/3mmSep–Apr: 3/2mm steamerJan, Feb, Dec: shorty or rash vest
Crowds by Season

Generally low crowds due to the remote location and the effort required to reach it.

Storm/Rain Season

East Coast Lows can occur during winter and autumn, bringing heavy rain and extreme swell.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

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.

Reef break
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).
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Beginner to Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitLeash

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.

Restrictions
  • Located within Booderee National Park - entry fees and park rules apply
  • Difficult rocky access/entry; long walk or boat access required
Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Toilets
Accommodation
Nearby town — Camping available within Booderee National Park; holiday rentals in nearby Jervis Bay towns.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.