Crazies (Ravensthorpe)

Surfing
Shortboard, Advanced riders
Best for
Advanced
Skill Level
Swell
Spot Type
Empty
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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

Crazies (Ravensthorpe) is an exposed reef/jetty break on the remote southern coastline that does not work very often. When it sets up, it produces heavy right-handers on a shallow reef shelf, with a fast, steep take-off followed by a powerful wall section. The wave is described as potentially hollow and high-performance, but conditions are highly dependent on wind and swell alignment. Wind-wise, offshore north-northwest conditions are favored for surf quality. North winds are reported to provide clean, offshore flow, while south winds blow the break out. Seasonally, June is highlighted as the best month, and the spot is noted as rarely crowded year-round because it is challenging to reach and the break is infrequent. Safety is a major factor here. The area is described as notorious for shark activity, including Great White Sharks, and the coastline is extremely remote. Wipeouts can leave you on exposed reef on the inside, with sharp reef, submerged rocks, and thick kelp contributing to a hazardous environment. Local guidance strongly emphasizes not surfing alone and carrying communications and comprehensive first aid given the distance to medical facilities. Operationally, access involves remote unsealed tracks and may require high-clearance 4WD, with limited informal parking. Facilities and on-site support are not available at the spot, so you need to be fully self-sufficient before you go. This is therefore best treated as an advanced, specialized surfing destination for prepared riders.

  • Rarely crowded, remote coastal reef/jetty break
  • Offshore north-northwest winds favored for clean conditions
  • Powerful, heavy right-hand reef waves when swell and wind line up
  • Strong safety considerations: shark hazard and exposed reef
Great for
Surfing shortboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Powerful, high-performance reef/jetty surfing when it works
  • Rarely crowded due to remoteness
  • Clean offshore north-northwest winds can create favorable surf conditions
Heads up
  • Break is infrequent and exposed over reef
  • High shark hazard and extreme isolation
  • Requires advanced-level ability and difficult access
  • Rescue availability is not provided on-water
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
N, NNW, NW, NNE
Offshore directions
NNW, NW
Wind Range
10–25 kts
Wind Type
Thermal — Offshore north-northwest conditions favored; winter frontal systems can drive variability.
Reliability
Moderate; mixed blown/clean days (37% blown, 58% clean reported).
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported.
Best Months
June
Shadow Zones
Cliffs and dunes can create turbulence near shore.

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell
Beach
Reef — Reef break; beach/entry area described as rocks/reef shoreline.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Medium — Medium wave size reported; can become very heavy and slab-like on larger swell.
Launch
Small — Rocky shoreline with limited beach access.
Launch Difficulty
Difficult — Difficult rocky shoreline launch with limited access.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
15–21 °C
Water Temperature
12–26 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 3/2mm or 4/3mm + Boots
Crowds by Season

Rarely crowded due to remote location and challenging conditions.

Storm/Rain Season

Winter (June to August) sees the most frontal activity and rainfall.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed reef/jetty break over shallow reef; does not work very often. Typically a high-performance advanced wave with heavy right-handers on a shallow reef shelf.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
S, SW
Swell Height
1.5–3 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Best reported around mid tide.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed reef/jetty setup with little protection from the elements.
Wind Effect
North winds provide clean, offshore conditions; south winds blow it out. Offshore-from-north-northwest is favored for surf quality.
Bigger Swell
Holds size well but becomes very heavy and slab-like.
Wave Quality
Good — High-performance when it works; infrequent break.
Wave Power
Powerful — Heavy reef waves; sometimes very heavy and slab-like on bigger swell.
Wave Shape
Hollow — Reports of hollow/steep right-hand performance; also described as mixed when conditions vary.
Peel Speed
Fast — Fast take-offs and quick transition into a powerful section.
Ride Length
Medium — Fast, steep take-offs followed by a powerful wall section.
Typical Ride Length
50–150 m
Ride Length Details
Fast, steep take-offs followed by a powerful wall section.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Crazies (Ravensthorpe) in the full forecast view.

Crazies (Ravensthorpe) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
4–21 ktsGusts 28 kts
Direction
SSE150°
Strongest day
Sat, Oct 2421 kts
Windy days
4/712 kts or more
Waves
1.1–2.7 m10s period
Temperature
10–24 °C

Over the next 7 days, Crazies (Ravensthorpe) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–21 kts, peaking around 21 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 1.1–2.7 m with a period of about 10s. 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

  • Great White Sharks
  • Sharks
  • Sharp reef
  • Exposed reef
  • Heavy wipeouts
  • Extreme isolation
  • Strong currents
  • Submerged rocks
  • Thick kelp
Ability Level: Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitLeashBoots

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguard presence reported.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No on-water rescue availability reported for this spot.
Emergency Info
Nearest medical facilities are in Hopetoun or Ravensthorpe, with significant distance; dial 000 in an emergency.
Localism / Vibe
Mild — Hardcore local scene; remoteness limits general visitation.

Rules of the spot

Respect the remote nature of the coast and local surf etiquette; stay on designated tracks where required.

Restrictions
  • Part of a sensitive coastal environment; stay on designated tracks.
Local Tips
  • If you wipe out, you will end up on the exposed reef on the inside.
  • Never surf alone here due to high shark risk and remoteness.
  • Carry a comprehensive first aid kit and satellite communication.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Albany
Nearest Town
Hopetoun
Nearest Airport
Esperance Airport (EPR)
Parking
Limited informal parking at the end of coastal tracks.
Public Transport
extremely limited; private vehicle essential (4WD may be needed for some access points).
Access
Access is via remote unsealed tracks that often require high-clearance 4WD; limited informal parking at the end of coastal tracks.
Cost Level
Budget
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Nearby town — Camping in Fitzgerald River National Park or holiday rentals/visitor accommodation in Hopetoun.
Food & Drink
None at the spot; supplies must be brought from Hopetoun.
Equipment Rental:
No specialized equipment rental reported in the immediate area; visitors must bring their own equipment.
Gear Storage
No gear storage facilities reported.
Gear Repair
No professional gear repair services nearby reported.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Nature-focused, rugged coastal environment with strong opportunities for outdoor activities around Fitzgerald River National Park and nearby coastline.

Best time to visit: December to February (warm weather with consistent winds).
Fitzgerald River National Park10km

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for botanical diversity and rugged coastal scenery.

Ravensthorpe Museum45km

Local history of mining, agriculture, and early settlers.

Whale Watching5km

Southern Right Whales can often be seen from the cliffs during their migration season between July and October.

Port Hotel Hopetoun5km

Regional pub offering meals and a local social hub.

Hopetoun Foreshore5km

Playground, BBQ facilities, and protected swimming areas.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Crazies (Ravensthorpe)?

The best overall months at Crazies (Ravensthorpe) are June, July, August. The best wind months are June.

Which wind directions work at Crazies (Ravensthorpe)?

Crazies (Ravensthorpe) works with N, NNW, NW, NNE winds. Offshore directions are NNW, NW.

What skill level is Crazies (Ravensthorpe) suitable for?

Crazies (Ravensthorpe) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.