Little Makaha
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- Medium waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Little Makaha is a small, exposed reef-and-beach break on the NSW Central Coast with generally clean water and medium wave conditions. It’s characterized by a narrow, technical launch area constrained by rocky outcrops and elevated terrain, plus shallow reef sections that can make landing and footwork unforgiving. For kitesurfing, the spot is primarily described as an exposed wave-kiting option that works best with westerly to northwesterly side-shore winds. However, wind availability can be marginal for consistency (one provider cites average best winds around 6.4 knots), and the launch is reported as either intermediate-capable with solid hazard awareness or expert-only due to the tiny/technical sandy patch and reef risks—so this is not a casual first-wave location. Surfing is focused on a right-hand reef break with fairly consistent, hollow waves that are often best in winter. Conditions are reported as good overall, and while ride lengths are typically shorter and intense over the reef ledge, longer rides can happen on better sets. The shallow reef, rocks, and biological hazards (including urchins) are key considerations, and surfers can be protective of the Makaha peak. Safety and etiquette matter here: strong currents around rocky points are reported, and kiting is generally recommended only at the edges of the main surf zone with clear “give way to surfers” priority. Practical local guidance includes launching from the main beach at Long Reef when possible, checking tide depth to avoid hitting the reef, and selecting waves that surfers miss—because the lineup can be crowded and the peak can be guarded.
- Exposed right-hand reef break with hollow characteristics
- Wave-kiting potential with side-shore westerly to northwesterly winds
- Technical, hazard-heavy launch with limited space
- Clean water and medium-wave environment
- Potentially reliable seasonal surf window (winter) for the right-hand reef break
- High-performance wave-kiting possibilities when conditions line up
- Low-profile feel with few surfers reported on some days (though crowding can be significant on good swell)
- Very limited launch space and technical entry/exit around rocky terrain
- Shallow reef and fixed hazards (including rocks and urchins) make mistakes unforgiving
- Strong currents around rocky points can increase difficulty
- Wind strength can be marginal for consistent kitesurfing at this spot
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSE
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Providers conflict on wind type: one describes side-shore westerly-to-northwesterly winds; another calls it frontal/southerly systems with summer sea-breeze influence.
- Reliability
- Moderate/variable. Average best winds are described as marginal for consistent kitesurfing by one provider.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported by one provider; other data describes variable reliability.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves
- Beach
- Mixed — Mixed composition reported by one provider; sand-only is reported by another.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Small — Very limited launch; often a tiny patch of sand or rocky ledge. Some guidance suggests drift launch or kiting down from Long Reef.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Moderate launching difficulty reported by one provider; another describes it as expert-only.
Through the year
June to August typically receives more rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed beach/reef wave-kiting spot on a shallow reef with a narrow launch area and rocky hazards. One provider describes it as intermediate-friendly when comfortable around fixed hazards; another characterizes it as expert-level due to shallow reef and the tiny/technical launch. Works best with westerly to northwesterly side-shore winds; average best winds are described as marginal for consistent kitesurfing (around 6.4 knots in one dataset).
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Expert-level wave sailing is possible during strong southerly winds.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.5 m²
Challenging due to the shallow reef and breaking waves; best suited for very experienced riders who can handle technical launches.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Shallow reef and variable depth are key constraints.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
Exposed right-hand reef break with fairly consistent surf, best in winter. Works with southeast swell; can be powerful and hollow over shallow reef ledges.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — One provider states it works at all tide stages; another reports optimal tide as mid.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore in W or NW winds (reported by one provider). One provider also notes best conditions with southwest ideal winds (offshore for surfing).
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold size but becomes very heavy and technical.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful — One provider rates power as moderate; another describes it as powerful.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Also described as fairly consistent and hollow.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short — Short, intense rides; sources also note longer rides are possible when conditions cooperate.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Average 50–150 meters; long rides up to about 150–300 meters are mentioned by one provider.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Little Makaha in the full forecast view.
Little Makaha wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–12 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- E80°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2512 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–2.2 m8s period
- Temperature
- 13–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Little Makaha is forecast for daytime winds of 3–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.8–2.2 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
- Shallow reef
- Urchins
- Strong currents around rocky points
- Surfer crowds
- Potential sharks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — Spot-level providers report no lifeguard presence at this launch.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Reported as no rescue availability for this spot.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Reported as moderate by one provider; another provider describes none—perspectives differ.
Rules of the spot
Give way to surfers in the lineup; kiting is generally restricted to the edges of the main surf zone for safety.
- Respect local surfing priority
- Kiting generally restricted to the edges of the main surf zone
- Demand solid wave awareness and local knowledge before attempting this spot; the beach is narrow with limited space to launch and land.
- Surfers can be very protective of the peak—kiters should stay downwind or pick the waves that surfers miss.
- Most kiters launch from the main beach at Long Reef and ride down to Makaha to avoid the difficult rocky launch.
- Check the tide carefully to avoid hitting the reef.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Sydney North, NSW Central Coast
- Nearest Town
- Collaroy / Long Reef area
- Parking
- Limited parking near the Long Reef Golf Club or at Collaroy Beach.
- Access
- Limited access and exit points due to coastal topography; narrow sandy beach flanked by rocky outcrops and elevated terrain.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Available in Collaroy and Dee Why.
- Food & Drink
- Cafes and restaurants are located within walking distance in Collaroy.
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 Little Makaha?
The best overall months at Little Makaha are September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May. The best wind months are January, February, March, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Little Makaha?
Little Makaha works with S, SSE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Little Makaha?
Recommended equipment sizes at Little Makaha: Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Little Makaha suitable for?
Little Makaha suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Expert · Windsurfing: Expert · Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.