Kingston 1 (Burnt Pine)

Shortboard, Advanced riders
Best for
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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

Kingston 1 (Burnt Pine) is an exposed reef break known for producing powerful, hollow right-handers when the conditions line up. It’s described as reliable and is best in October, with favorable sessions also noted across late spring into early summer. Surf quality is tied to southern groundswells and the swell direction typically works best from the south (including southwest). The break is shallow over reef, so performance can be excellent when connected, but it can also become very heavy and hazardous as the swell increases—especially at lower tides. Windwise, the spot is associated with trade-wind influence and offshore flow from the north, which helps clean up the wave face. Cross-wind situations (from east/west) can add chop, so better sessions generally come when the wind is aligned offshore. Safety is the key consideration: the reef and seabed features include rocks/urchins and there are reports of sharks. Currents can be strong near reef passes and during larger swells. There are no lifeguards on site, so riders should plan for self-rescue readiness and consider wearing appropriate foot protection (booties) for the reef and sea-urchin hazard.

  • Reliable exposed reef break best in October
  • Powerful, hollow right-handers
  • Offshore north winds clean up the face
  • Serious reef hazards: rocks, sharks, and sea urchins
Great for
Surfing shortboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Reliable exposed reef surfing with hollow, powerful right-handers
  • Best conditions are consistently associated with October (and the broader spring–early summer window)
  • Offshore winds help clean up the face when aligned correctly
Heads up
  • Advanced reef break with shallow sections that can get very dangerous on low tide or if the swell is too strong
  • Hazards include rocks, sharks, and sea urchins
  • Strong currents can develop near reef passes, especially during larger swells
  • No lifeguards present
Was this description helpful?
Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
N, NE, NW
Offshore directions
N
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Trade — Offshore winds are from the north; winds described as trade winds.
Reliability
moderate
Gust Factor
Light gusts — Described as light gusts.
Best Months
October, November, December

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell, Ocean
Beach
Sand — Sand beach launch areas.
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Medium — Described as medium overall; works from about 1.5 to 3 meters for the ideal swell window.
Launch
Medium — Beach launch from Slaughter Bay or Emily Bay to paddle out to the reef.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Launch described as moderate difficulty.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Apr: 2mm shorty or rash guardAug, Sep: 3/2mm
Crowds by Season

Generally low crowds; locals frequent the spot when it’s firing.

Storm/Rain Season

Rain can occur year-round but is slightly more frequent in winter months. Possible effects from distal tropical cyclones between January and March.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

An exposed reef break with reliable surf best in October. Produces powerful, hollow right-handers over shallow reef, so conditions can turn dangerous on low tide or on bigger/stronger swell.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
S, SW
Swell Height
1.5–3 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Best on mid tide.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed reef break (not sheltered).
Wind Effect
Offshore winds from the North clean up the face; cross-winds from the East/West create chop.
Bigger Swell
Can handle significant size but becomes very heavy and dangerous as the reef is shallow.
Wave Quality
Good — High-quality reef break; described as good overall.
Wave Power
Powerful — Can be powerful on the right day/swell.
Wave Shape
Hollow — Known for hollow right-handers.
Peel Speed
Fast — Peels across the reef with fast peeling action.
Ride Length
Medium — Rides typically range from 50 to 150 meters depending on swell connection.
Typical Ride Length
50–150 m
Ride Length Details
Typical rides range from 50 to 150 meters; a typical connected ride is around 100 meters.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Kingston 1 (Burnt Pine) in the full forecast view.

Kingston 1 (Burnt Pine) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
8–15 ktsGusts 21 kts
Direction
ESE113°
Strongest day
Tue, Oct 2715 kts
Windy days
4/712 kts or more
Waves
0.9–2.3 m10s period
Temperature
18–20 °C

Over the next 7 days, Kingston 1 (Burnt Pine) is forecast for daytime winds of 8–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.9–2.3 m with a period of about 10s. 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
  • sea urchins
  • strong rip currents can occur near reef passes and during large swells
  • shallow reef
  • shallow coral heads and sharp reef sections
Ability Level: Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
LeashBootsWetsuit

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards present.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — Rescue is managed without a professional lifeguard service.
Emergency Info
Norfolk Island Health and Residential Aged Care Service (Hospital) is located in Burnt Pine.
Localism / Vibe
Mild — Localism described as none in one source; another source describes it as mild.

Rules of the spot

Respect local surfers and follow standard surfing etiquette.

Local Tips
  • Wait for a solid south swell and northerly winds for the best conditions.
  • Booties are recommended due to the sharp reef and sea urchins.
  • The reef can be very shallow at lower tides—exercise extra caution then.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Burnt Pine
Nearest Town
Kingston
Nearest Airport
Norfolk Island Airport (NLK)
Parking
Public parking available near the beach at Slaughter Bay
Public Transport
No public transport system; visitors typically rely on rental cars, bicycles, or walking
Access
Accessible via Quality Row in the Kingston historic area; a short walk from the parking areas at Slaughter Bay
Local Language
English, Norf'k
Amenities

What's on the beach

Toilets
Parking
Picnic area
Accommodation
Nearby town — Accommodation ranges from boutique self-catering apartments and cottages to mid-range hotels, primarily concentrated around Burnt Pine and the periphery of the historic area.
Food & Drink
Small cafes are located nearby in the historic area, with more options in Burnt Pine.
Equipment Rental:
Limited surf rentals may be available in Burnt Pine; basic surf and SUP equipment can be rented locally.
Gear Storage
No dedicated regional storage service; typically managed through private accommodation.
Gear Repair
No specialized sail or kite repair shops; riders are advised to bring their own repair kits.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

The Kingston area mixes marine clarity and exposed ocean/reef scenery with heritage attractions in the Kingston historic zone.

Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn (November–April), with summer months (December–March) noted for the best overall water-based conditions.
Kingston and Arthur's Vale Historic Area (KAVHA)0km

UNESCO World Heritage site featuring convict-era buildings and ruins.

Norfolk Island Museum0.5km

Housed in historic buildings within the Pier Store and Old Gaol, detailing the island's Bounty and convict history.

Norfolk Island National Park Hiking4km

Extensive walking tracks through subtropical rainforest with views of Mount Pitt and Mount Bates.

The Olive Cafe3km

Central hub in Burnt Pine for coffee and local meals.

Glass Bottom Boat Tours0.2km

View the coral reefs and marine life around Emily Bay and Slaughter Bay without getting wet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Kingston 1 (Burnt Pine)?

The best overall months at Kingston 1 (Burnt Pine) are October, November, December.

Which wind directions work at Kingston 1 (Burnt Pine)?

Kingston 1 (Burnt Pine) works with N, NE, NW winds. Offshore directions are N.

What skill level is Kingston 1 (Burnt Pine) suitable for?

Kingston 1 (Burnt Pine) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.