Curl Curl Point
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Curl Curl Point is an exposed point break on Sydney’s Northern Beaches with reliable surf that can work at any time of the year. One provider emphasizes a classic left-hand peeling shape, while another describes a right-hand point break; both agree the spot delivers a high-performance, point-break character with fast, powerful sections. The spot is described as sheltered/exposed in different ways depending on conditions: it is generally exposed to wind and swell from the open coast, but can be sheltered from southerly winds by the headland. Providers also align on offshore-wind potential when the wind comes from the northwest (and west), which typically improves surf quality. Safety is a key consideration. Hazards include rocks and sharks, and strong rip currents are frequently present near the headland. Access can involve a difficult rock-platform entry or rock hop/jump-off style movement, so only surfers comfortable with technical entries and quick decisions should attempt it. Crowds are another practical factor: the spot is often crowded when the point is working. Limited rescue availability is noted for this launch context, and guidance recommends waiting for lulls before attempting jumps off rocks; the area is also associated with a notorious strong pull known by a local name.
- Reliable exposed point break that can work year-round
- NW winds are the best wind direction (offshore)
- Often crowded during prime conditions
- Reliable year-round surf when the swell and wind line up
- Known for high-performance, hollow, punchy point-break sections
- NW winds are the best wind direction (offshore), helping rides stay clean
- Exposed, technical point break with rock-platform entry/exit and strong rip currents near the headland
- Hazards include rocks and sharks
- Often crowded when the point is working well
- Rescue availability is limited
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, W
- Offshore directions
- NW, W
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Providers describe frontal influence for the NW/W wind; regional conditions are also shaped by seasonal sea-breezes and fronts.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- Sheltered from southerly winds by the headland
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Conflicting: sand reported by one provider; rocks reported by another.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — One provider categorizes as small; another reports medium-sized surf.
- Launch
- Medium — Rock platform entry or paddle out from the beach corner; described access varies by approach.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Rock platform entry/exit and tight, technical take-off zone.
Through the year
Often crowded, especially on weekends and when the point is working well.
Late summer and autumn (March to June) typically see the highest average rainfall; east coast lows in winter can bring heavy swell and storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed point break with reliable, technical waves that work year-round. Providers conflict on whether it peels left or right and the typical ride direction; both describe a consistent, hollow, higher-performance point character.
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE, E
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide reported as optimal.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Headland exposure; additional shelter from southerly winds reported by one provider.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore in west to northwest winds; NW is the best wind direction reported.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles larger south to southeast swells with more consistency than nearby open beach breaks.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Often described as reliable with good quality when conditions line up.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Point break with powerful, hollow sections reported.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow sections described.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Punchy sections that peel quickly.
- Ride Length
- Short — Punchy and fast sections often ending in a closeout or deep water.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Punchy and fast sections often ending in a closeout or deep water; typical rides reported as 50–100 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Curl Curl Point in the full forecast view.
Curl Curl Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–12 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- E79°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2612 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–2.2 m8s period
- Temperature
- 13–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Curl Curl Point is forecast for daytime winds of 2–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.9–2.2 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 frequently present near the headland
- difficult entry/exit over rock platforms
- exposed rocks, rock platform
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence reported; regional patrol coverage is typically September to April.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited for the spot launch/entry context.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is Northern Beaches Hospital in Frenchs Forest; emergency services: 000. (Regional guidance: swim between the flags.)
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Providers conflict on localism (none vs moderate). Current record keeps moderate due to spot-level local guidance.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup in the tight take-off zone.
- Wait for a lull before attempting to jump off the rocks.
- The 'Curly Rip' is notorious and can pull you out past the point quickly
- Swim between the flags (seasonal patrol coverage varies by time of year).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Sydney
- Nearest Town
- Dee Why
- Nearest Airport
- Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)
- Parking
- Park at nearest designated area; pay-and-display parking is available at the North Curl Curl surf club or headland, then walk about 30 minutes to the break.
- Public Transport
- Well-serviced by the B-Line express bus service and the Manly Ferry to the CBD.
- Access
- 30-minute walk from nearest parking; accessible via Carrington Parade with a walk down from the northern headland car park.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday rentals and hotels available in Dee Why or Manly.
- Food & Drink
- Cafes and restaurants are located within walking distance in North Curl Curl and Dee Why.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in nearby Dee Why and Brookvale offer rentals; regional area also notes numerous surf shops in Manly, Dee Why, and Narrabeen.
- Gear Storage
- Limited public storage; most facilities are tied to local surf clubs or private accommodation.
- Gear Repair
- Repair shops available in Brookvale.
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 Curl Curl Point?
The best overall months at Curl Curl Point are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Curl Curl Point?
Curl Curl Point works with NW, W winds. Offshore directions are NW, W.
What skill level is Curl Curl Point suitable for?
Curl Curl Point suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.