Macauleys (Coffs Harbour Coast)
- Longboard, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Macauleys is an exposed headland point break on the Coffs Harbour coast. It’s known for producing long left-hand waves off the headland when the swell and wind line up. Conditions are commonly described as relying on a north-coast exposed setup that “usually has waves,” with autumn and winter highlighted as the optimum time of year. For wave and swell alignment, sources point to a northeast to southeast swell window as the key for surf quality at this point. The preferred wind direction is northwest, which acts offshore and helps groom the wave faces. Mid-tide is often mentioned as a time when the point can connect well, and when the swell is right the waves can become increasingly hollow. The spot carries multiple safety considerations: rocks and sharks are explicitly listed hazards, and currents/sweeps are also a concern—especially during larger swells. Crowding is another recurring theme in the peak season, so patience and careful lineup etiquette matter. Amenities and access are straightforward via the Macauleys Headland track or from the northern end of Park Beach, with parking available near the headland. Lifeguard presence is described as seasonal (though some sources report none), and rescue availability is generally limited—so riders should plan accordingly and choose conditions within their comfort level.
- Exposed point break on a headland.
- Long left-off-the-headland potential with the right swell.
- Northwest offshore wind improves grooming.
- Autumn and winter are the best season.
- Exposed headland point break with potential for long rides.
- Works best when northwest winds combine with the appropriate swell direction.
- Seasonally favorable conditions in autumn and winter.
- Rocks and sharks are reported hazards.
- Often crowded during peak conditions.
- Currents/sweeps can be strong, especially on larger swells.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, W
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Wind can vary by system; spot works best with northwest winds.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Gustiness described as light-gusts.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- The headland provides some protection from South/Southwest winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with rocky point/headland areas.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium wave size reported; can take significant size when swell is right.
- Launch
- Small — Entry via headland track with a small sandy area for getting into the water.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Reported as moderate, largely due to rocky entry/exit.
Through the year
Regularly crowded, especially on weekends and during good swell events; often crowded during autumn and winter.
Summer can include tropical low-pressure systems and heavy rain.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed point break on a headland that can produce long rides off the headland with the right swell and northwest offshore wind.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- E, SE, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid-tide often helps the point to connect.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Sheltered/semi-sheltered by the headland setup (sources vary between sheltered and semi-sheltered).
- Wind Effect
- Best with northwest offshore winds that groom the wave faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle significant size but becomes increasingly challenging with heavy sweeps.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wave power described as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Primarily peeling walls when swell and winds align.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Wave described as peeling with a medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can connect for rides around 50–150 meters when sections connect; typical ride length reported as ~100 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Long left off the headland; when sections connect it can offer rides roughly 50–150 meters (with a reported typical of ~100 meters).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Macauleys (Coffs Harbour Coast) in the full forecast view.
Macauleys (Coffs Harbour Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–13 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- ENE69°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–2.2 m8s period
- Temperature
- 15–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Macauleys (Coffs Harbour Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 25 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
- Crowds
- Submerged rocks along the point and headland
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards reported as seasonal; other sources report none—assume seasonal coverage during peak periods.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited; regional rescue is typically limited with seasonal patrolling.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospital is Coffs Harbour Health Campus. Emergency services via 000.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism described as none to moderate across sources; treat as mild-to-moderate.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup.
- Best with northwest winds and northeast swell (for the long left off the headland).
- The point section is rocky—be careful when entering and exiting.
- Keep an eye on the sweep/rip currents, which can pull you toward other sections quickly.
- It is often crowded during good conditions in the autumn/winter peak.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Coffs Harbour
- Nearest Town
- Coffs Harbour
- Parking
- Limited parking available at Macauleys Headland car park; parking available near Macauleys Headland Park Beach.
- Access
- Accessible via the Macauleys Headland walking track or from the northern end of Park Beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Accommodation options (hotels, motels, apartments, holiday parks, and cottages) are available in and around Coffs Harbour and Park Beach.
- Food & Drink
- Food and drink available nearby at Park Beach and Coffs Harbour town centre.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in Coffs Harbour offer board rentals.
- Gear Storage
- Limited public storage; most visitors plan around transport and accommodation gear.
- Gear Repair
- Gear repair available via local surf shops in Coffs Harbour.
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 Macauleys (Coffs Harbour Coast)?
The best overall months at Macauleys (Coffs Harbour Coast) are April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Macauleys (Coffs Harbour Coast)?
Macauleys (Coffs Harbour Coast) works with NW, W winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is Macauleys (Coffs Harbour Coast) suitable for?
Macauleys (Coffs Harbour Coast) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.