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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • 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.
Heads up
  • 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).
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
17–25 °C
Water Temperature
10–27 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
May–Nov: 3/2mmJan–Dec: Boardshorts or springsuit
Crowds by Season

Quieter than central beach breaks but can get busy when the swell is good.

Storm/Rain Season

February and March are typically the wettest months.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

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.

Reef break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
LeashWetsuit

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.

Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.