Mays Point (Hobsons Bay)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Advanced to Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Mays Point is a sheltered right-hand point break on Tasmania’s East Coast that’s known for producing long, powerful rides when the swell wraps correctly into Frederick Henry Bay. The break is highly dependent on a massive Southern Ocean swell to show its best shape at the point, and the lineup is described as being competitive and sensitive. When conditions align, the wave can offer fast, peeling sections with hollow character and ride lengths that can reach a few hundred meters on the best days. Offshore wind (especially from the West and Northwest) is described as helping groom the faces, which is important at this exposure since the spot is also associated with strong currents during larger swells. Access is via a short walk from the end of Mays Point Road, and the entry/exit involves difficult rock work at the base of the point. Hazards include rocks and boulders, especially near takeoff and inside sections, and sources also warn that rock entry can be treacherous—so it’s recommended to watch others before attempting. Because the water is cold year-round, wetsuit choice and proper protection matter. Spring conditions are especially favorable, with April highlighted as the best month, and a spring wetsuit plus neoprene boots recommended for typical conditions. Localism is repeatedly mentioned as a key safety factor, so strict water etiquette and respect for the lineup are essential.
- Long right-hand point break rides (often 200–300 meters on best days)
- Needs a massive swell to wrap into Frederick Henry Bay
- Offshore grooming possible with West/Northwest winds
- Long, high-quality right-hand point break with powerful, hollow walls when it works
- Offshore grooming possible with strong West/Northwest winds
- Best month in spring is April
- Advanced-to-expert level; rocky entry/exit and submerged hazards around the point
- Cold water year-round
- Localism risk in the lineup
- Often requires a massive swell to wrap into the bay
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NW, SW
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW, NW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal-driven conditions are required to produce good offshore grooming at times.
- Reliability
- Moderate; requires specific frontal systems for offshore grooming.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- April, May, June, September, October
- Shadow Zones
- The point provides some shelter from southerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky access and takeoff zone.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — At times described as small overall; better performance depends on a much larger wrap swell.
- Launch
- Small — Difficult rock entry and exit at the base of the point.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Difficult rock entry and exit; treacherous when taken without care.
Through the year
Lineup busiest during large weekend swells; rarely crowded on smaller or weekday sessions.
Winter often brings more frequent cold fronts and storm activity with larger swells.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Mays Point is a right-hand point break with long, high-quality rides when a massive South or Southwest swell wraps into Frederick Henry Bay. When it works, it produces powerful, peeling/hollow walls; when it doesn’t, it may underperform at the point.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Often described as sheltered overall; the lineup can still be exposed to the need for the correct wrapping swell.
- Wind Effect
- West and Northwest winds are described as offshore, grooming the right-hand walls into clean faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size; becomes more hollow and challenging as swell increases.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Described as excellent when conditions align.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful, hollow walls when the right swell wraps into Frederick Henry Bay.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Long — Rides of several hundred meters are possible on the best days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 200–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- One of the longest right-hand point breaks in Tasmania; capable of peeling for roughly 200–300 meters on the best days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Mays Point (Hobsons Bay) in the full forecast view.
Mays Point (Hobsons Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–14 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- W265°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2814 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–0.7 m5s period
- Temperature
- 7–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Mays Point (Hobsons Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.2–0.7 m with a period of about 5s. 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
- Submerged rocks and boulders (especially near takeoff and inside sections)
- Localism
- Powerful waves
- Cold water
- Strong currents
- Treacherous rock entry and exit
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
- Emergency Info
- No rescue availability directly on-site; nearest major medical facilities are in Hobart (about a 20–25 minute drive). National emergency number: 000.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Reported localism; some sources describe it as heavy/sometimes.
Rules of the spot
Strict surf etiquette is expected due to the competitive and sensitive nature of the lineup.
- Do not disregard lineup etiquette; localism is reported as a risk.
- Respect the locals as it is a highly protective lineup.
- Watch others before attempting the rock entry/exit at the point.
- The spot needs a massive Southern Ocean swell to wrap into Frederick Henry Bay; it may not show decent size until conditions align.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hobart
- Nearest Town
- Lauderdale
- Nearest Airport
- Hobart International Airport (HBA)
- Parking
- Limited street parking at the end of the residential road.
- Public Transport
- Public bus services connect Lauderdale to Hobart, but they are infrequent and not ideal for carrying sports equipment; a private vehicle is highly recommended.
- Access
- Located at the end of Mays Point Road in Sandford; access is via a short walk to the point.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Holiday rentals in Lauderdale and Sandford; hotels in Hobart.
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes and a supermarket are available in the nearby town of Lauderdale.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals are available at the spot; surf equipment rental is available via specialty shops in the Lauderdale and Hobart areas.
- Gear Storage
- Dedicated on-site storage is not available; most riders keep gear in vehicles or local accommodations.
- Gear Repair
- Surf shops in Hobart offer board repairs (basic repair services referenced for the greater Hobart region).
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 Mays Point (Hobsons Bay)?
The best overall months at Mays Point (Hobsons Bay) are April. The best wind months are April, May, June, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Mays Point (Hobsons Bay)?
Mays Point (Hobsons Bay) works with W, NW, SW winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW, NW.
What skill level is Mays Point (Hobsons Bay) suitable for?
Mays Point (Hobsons Bay) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.