Dalmeny Point
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Ocean, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Dalmeny Point is an exposed reef break on the NSW south coast that does not work very often. The wave setup is highly conditional: the break typically requires a solid southeast groundswells and tends to remain dormant unless the swell and wind align. When the conditions are right, it can deliver quality reef waves, but the overall experience is defined by inconsistency. One dataset emphasizes offshore west to west-southwest winds as the key to better wave face conditions, with some shelter possible from south winds depending on how the system develops. Safety risks are significant. The spot is rocky and exposed, with reported hazards including rocks and sharks, plus strong currents near the headland/reef edge. Several entry/exit cautions are highlighted due to the rocky shoreline, and large swells are noted to increase difficulty and hazard around the rocks. Crowds are generally not expected to be heavy even when surf is up, which fits the low-profile nature of the spot. For advanced surfers only (due to reef exposure and hazard level), the best approach is to plan around winter swell—especially June—rather than expecting reliable summer surf.
- Offshore westerly winds can groom the face
- Requires southeast swell to activate
- Winter (especially June) is the key window
- Exposed reef waves can be high quality when conditions line up.
- Often not too crowded even when surf is up.
- Offshore westerly winds can groom the face.
- Highly inconsistent/infrequent—often dormant without the right swell-and-wind alignment.
- Reef and shoreline rock hazards make sessions potentially dangerous.
- No lifeguards on site.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WSW, WNW
- Offshore directions
- WSW, W
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Sources describe the wind as a gradient/typical pattern that supports clean conditions when aligned with the offshore direction.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gustiness described as moderate in one provider’s dataset.
- Best Months
- June
- Shadow Zones
- South of the headland can be sheltered in northerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky headland setting.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size described as medium by one provider; reef breaks can vary widely with swell.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky headland with limited access to the water.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Launch access is described as difficult; reef hazards increase effective difficulty.
Through the year
Generally quiet and unlikely to be crowded even when the surf is up.
Rain possible year-round; occasional heavy storms in winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed reef break that does not work very often and is highly inconsistent, generally requiring a substantial southeast swell to activate. Best results come when the southeast swell meets offshore westerly winds.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SE
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — One source states low tide as optimal; another provider indicates mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed headland/reef setting; semi-sheltered conditions are mentioned in one dataset, but overall exposure is emphasized.
- Wind Effect
- Works best with offshore winds from the west-west-southwest; some shelter is possible from south winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but becomes challenging and hazardous around the rocks.
- Wave Quality
- Average — One provider rates wave quality as average and highlights strong inconsistency.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Described as moderate wave power.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Predominantly peeling when conditions align.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Wave description indicates a medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length described as medium; can offer a decent wall if the swell wraps correctly around the point.
- Ride Length Details
- Can produce a decent wall when the swell wraps correctly around the point.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Dalmeny Point in the full forecast view.
Dalmeny Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–13 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- ENE73°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–2.1 m8s period
- Temperature
- 11–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Dalmeny Point is forecast for daytime winds of 2–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.8–2.1 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 currents
- Inconsistent waves
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards present.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Marine Rescue NSW (Narooma base) plus seasonal Surf Life Saving patrols in the region (not at the point itself).
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital options include South Coast District Hospital (Moruya) or Batemans Bay Hospital; one provider specifically notes a hospital in Moruya.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Generally described as visited by local surfers and those staying nearby; overall access friction is not characterized as extreme.
Rules of the spot
Use extreme caution entering and exiting due to rocky, reef-strewn shoreline; conditions can be highly inconsistent and hazardous.
- No lifeguards on site.
- Wait for a solid southeast swell for the break to start working.
- Be extremely careful when entering and exiting the water due to the rocky shoreline.
- The spot is infrequent/inconsistent—plan around the swell and wind alignment.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Dalmeny
- Nearest Town
- Dalmeny
- Parking
- Public parking available at the Dalmeny viewing platform and nearby streets.
- Access
- Access is via the Dalmeny headland; a short walk from the parking areas leads to the point.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Direct — Dalmeny Campground is located directly adjacent to the headland.
- Food & Drink
- Local shops and cafes are within walking distance in the town of Dalmeny.
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 Dalmeny Point?
The best overall months at Dalmeny Point are June, July, August. The best wind months are June.
Which wind directions work at Dalmeny Point?
Dalmeny Point works with W, WSW, WNW winds. Offshore directions are WSW, W.
What skill level is Dalmeny Point suitable for?
Dalmeny Point suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.