Crazies (Ravensthorpe)
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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
- Powerful, high-performance reef/jetty surfing when it works
- Rarely crowded due to remoteness
- Clean offshore north-northwest winds can create favorable surf conditions
- 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
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
Rarely crowded due to remote location and challenging conditions.
Winter (June to August) sees the most frontal activity and rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
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.
- 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.
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.
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
- Great White Sharks
- Sharks
- Sharp reef
- Exposed reef
- Heavy wipeouts
- Extreme isolation
- Strong currents
- Submerged rocks
- Thick kelp
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.
- Part of a sensitive coastal environment; stay on designated tracks.
- 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
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.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Nature-focused, rugged coastal environment with strong opportunities for outdoor activities around Fitzgerald River National Park and nearby coastline.
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for botanical diversity and rugged coastal scenery.
Local history of mining, agriculture, and early settlers.
Southern Right Whales can often be seen from the cliffs during their migration season between July and October.
Regional pub offering meals and a local social hub.
Playground, BBQ facilities, and protected swimming areas.
From riders who've been here
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.