Dolphin Point (NSW South Coast)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Dolphin Point is a rocky beach/reef break on the NSW South Coast near Ulladulla, known for powerful surfing when the swell and wind line up. Multiple sources emphasize that conditions are serious: the takeoff/entry is shallow and exposed, with risks including sharp reef, sea urchins, sharks (occasional sightings), and rip currents. Surf conditions are described as best with offshore west winds and a southeast swell. One guide notes the spot’s best month as June and flags west as the favored wind direction. The lookout off Seaside Parade is specifically recommended for pre-entry checks, including surf condition assessment (and whale watching). Tide matters. Mid-tide is repeatedly recommended to avoid extremes: high tide can lead to the wave washing through, while low tide can expose too much rock. One source also notes that the entry involves a tricky rock jump / narrow gap in the reef and that timing between sets is important, reinforcing that this is not a spot for relaxed beach access. In terms of difficulty and wave character, the reef setup can be heavy and intense. Descriptions include strong hollow/barrel potential with fast, high-performance sections, along with narrow positioning around the point/reef and strict surf etiquette expectations. Lifeguard presence is stated as none, so planning, awareness, and conservative decision-making are essential.
- Offshore west winds and southeast swells are the key combo
- Lookout off Seaside Parade helps check surf before entry
- Mid-tide is generally the safest/most workable timing window
- Best with consistent winter setups around June and southeast swell pairing.
- Produces high-performance, hollow/strong waves when conditions line up.
- Mid-tide timing guidance is available (often improves safety/rideability).
- Very rocky/shallow takeoff with sea urchins and rip-current risk; entry is described as tricky and potentially involving a rock jump.
- Highly challenging/heavy surf—one source characterizes it as expert-only and extremely dangerous as size increases.
- Localism is flagged as a concern; surf etiquette and respecting locals is important.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW, NW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — West to NW winds are noted as best for surfing conditions at this rocky point; winter offshore setup is often linked to frontal systems.
- Reliability
- Moderate (highly dependent on winter frontal systems for offshore conditions).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting is noted by one source.
- Best Months
- June
- Shadow Zones
- Headlands can create turbulence in South or North winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky composition is emphasized; one source also describes beach composition as mixed.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — One source describes big surf; another emphasizes reasonably consistent surf on the South Coast with hazardous conditions.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry through a narrow gap in the reef; careful timing between sets is required.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — One source rates launch difficulty as expert-only due to the narrow, rocky entry and shallow reef takeoff.
Through the year
Can be crowded during weekends and peak swell events with experienced locals.
Rain can occur year-round, with occasional East Coast Lows bringing heavy weather in autumn/winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A rocky beach/reef break where entry involves exposed rocks and a tricky takeoff; best with southeast swells and offshore west winds. Mid-tide is generally recommended to avoid excessive wash-through or too much rock exposure.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SE, SSE
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, Low, High — Mid-tide is favored; one source also notes lows/highs can be problematic due to reef wash-through/exposure.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Break is described as semi-sheltered, but it can still be exposed/heavy due to the point and reef.
- Wind Effect
- Works best with offshore West to Northwest winds which groom the face.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle significant size but becomes extremely dangerous and heavy on bigger swells.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Wave quality is described as excellent by one source; good by another.
- Wave Power
- Very powerful — Described as powerful/heavy.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow sections are specifically noted by one source; another describes wave quality as good.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Peel speed described as fast.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Fast, intense rides that wrap around the point.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, intense ride that wraps around the point; typical ride length is provided by one source.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Dolphin Point (NSW South Coast) in the full forecast view.
Dolphin Point (NSW South Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–10 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- ENE74°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2610 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–2.2 m8s period
- Temperature
- 10–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Dolphin Point (NSW South Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. 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
- Sea urchins (urchins)
- Rip currents
- Shallow reef / sharp reef heads
- Powerful waves
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence is indicated for the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional coastline monitoring is described as limited; estuarine areas are mostly self-rescue zones.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital referenced is Milton District Hospital (about 10 minutes away).
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Localism is flagged as a hazard; surf etiquette is expected.
Rules of the spot
No swimming allowed due to the rock platform; entry and exit are hazardous and surf etiquette matters because the takeoff zone is small and the wave is intense.
- no_swimming
- Use the lookout off Seaside Parade to check surf conditions before entering.
- Wait for lulls to enter via the rocky shelf / narrow entry and be prepared for sharp reef exposure.
- Best tide is mid-tide; high can cause the wave to wash through while low can expose too much rock.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ulladulla
- Nearest Town
- Bungalow Park
- Parking
- Limited parking at the end of residential streets near the point.
- Public Transport
- Limited to regional bus services; a private vehicle is highly recommended.
- Access
- Access via Seaside Parade (lookout off Seaside Parade provides surf checks and whale-watching). One source also notes Dolphin Point Road with a short walk from the parking area to the rocky shelf.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Accommodation is near the area, including holiday parks around Bungalow Park / Burrill Lake and various local holiday rentals.
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes and shops are located in Burrill Lake, with more options in Ulladulla.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available in Ulladulla.
- Gear Repair
- Surf shops in Ulladulla offer repair services.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Ulladulla–Milton–Burrill Lake region blends coastal scenery, short drives to whale-watching and harbour viewpoints, and access to national-park style walking routes.
An iconic hike with panoramic views of the coastline and Budawang Wilderness.
Seasonal whale watching tours departing from the nearby harbour during migration season.
A historic village with heritage architecture, art galleries, and craft shops.
A popular local bakery known for sourdough and coffee near the lake.
Flat-water paddling on Burrill Lake is a common family activity due to shallow, calm water.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Dolphin Point (NSW South Coast)?
The best overall months at Dolphin Point (NSW South Coast) are June, July, August, September. The best wind months are June.
Which wind directions work at Dolphin Point (NSW South Coast)?
Dolphin Point (NSW South Coast) works with W winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW, NW.
What skill level is Dolphin Point (NSW South Coast) suitable for?
Dolphin Point (NSW South Coast) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.