Gallows 1 (Coffs Harbour)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Gallows 1 is an exposed reef and point break at Corambirra Point (northern end of Boambee Beach), offering quite reliable surf. It is known for hollow right-hand waves and can handle significant size, with working swell typically from the south to the southeast. The break is rated as intermediate through advanced. Reports describe conditions that can become heavy on bigger swells, including the possibility of heavy barrels, so a high level of wave-reading and line choice matters. Wind also plays a major role: it tends to work best with offshore West or Southwest winds, while the spot’s exposed position means conditions can change quickly. Safety considerations are important. Rocks are a primary hazard, with sharks also noted for the area, and strong currents are reported during larger swells. At lower tides, rocks on the inside can make takeoff and positioning more critical—watch your approach and avoid being caught in the impact zone. Seasonally, July is the standout month. Blown conditions are relatively frequent (with a reported 50% blown percentage), but July also has a higher chance of clean, rideable surf (reported 29% clean). Overall, it’s a challenging but rewarding reef break best matched to experienced local lineup awareness and careful timing around tide and wind.
- Exposed reef/point break with quite reliable surf
- Hollow right-hand waves
- Works best with offshore West or Southwest winds
- July is the best month
- Quite reliable surf for an exposed reef/point location.
- Known for hollow right-hand waves and can handle significant size.
- Best month is July, with higher proportions of clean, rideable days.
- Rocks and sharks are reported hazards.
- Takeoff is more critical than at many nearby beach breaks, especially around lower tides.
- Blown conditions are common (high percentage of blown days).
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW, NW
- Offshore directions
- W, SW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gusts described as moderate.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand described, though nearby composition can include rocks.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Launch
- Small — Rock entry or paddle out from nearby beach.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Rock entry or paddle out; described as moderate difficulty.
- Shore Break
- Moderate — Shore break described as moderate.
Through the year
Quieter than central beach breaks but can get busy when the swell is good.
February and March are typically the wettest months.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed reef and point break at Corambirra Point (northern end of Boambee Beach) with quite reliable surf, producing hollow right-handers that can handle significant size.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Optimal condition described as mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed to the elements at Corambirra Point.
- Wind Effect
- Works best with offshore West or Southwest winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well and can produce heavy barrels.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Quality reef and point break; described as good quality.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful reef/point break.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Known for hollow right-hand waves.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast, walling sections on the right-hand swell.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can produce fast, walling right-hand sections.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer fast, walling sections on the right swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Gallows 1 (Coffs Harbour) in the full forecast view.
Gallows 1 (Coffs Harbour) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–13 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- ENE57°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2413 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–2.2 m8s period
- Temperature
- 15–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Gallows 1 (Coffs Harbour) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 1.0–2.2 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 currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported for this spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue availability reported for this spot.
- Emergency Info
- Coffs Harbour Health Campus is the nearest major hospital.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup.
- Watch out for the rocks on the inside at lower tides.
- Often less crowded than nearby central beach breaks, but the takeoff is more critical.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Coffs Harbour
- Nearest Town
- Coffs Harbour
- Nearest Airport
- Coffs Harbour Airport (CFS), about 4 km from the city centre.
- Parking
- Limited parking available at nearby residential streets or beach access points.
- Public Transport
- Local buses (Busways) and the North Coast railway line connecting to Sydney and Brisbane.
- Access
- Access via walking trails from the Charlesworth Bay area or nearby parking reserves.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various resorts and holiday parks are located in the Coffs Harbour and Korora area.
- Food & Drink
- Cafes and restaurants are available in nearby Coffs Harbour.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf and SUP rentals are widely available locally; surf and board rental is described as available in Coffs Harbour.
- Gear Storage
- Some local surf clubs and holiday parks offer storage solutions for guests and members.
- Gear Repair
- Surf shops in Coffs Harbour provide ding repairs.
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 Gallows 1 (Coffs Harbour)?
The best overall months at Gallows 1 (Coffs Harbour) are July.
Which wind directions work at Gallows 1 (Coffs Harbour)?
Gallows 1 (Coffs Harbour) works with W, SW, NW winds. Offshore directions are W, SW.
What skill level is Gallows 1 (Coffs Harbour) suitable for?
Gallows 1 (Coffs Harbour) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.