Mckenzies
- Shortboard, Bodyboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
McKenzies is a small, undeveloped rocky beach/point near Malua Bay on the NSW South Coast. It’s primarily a natural, local-feeling location and is not set up with much in the way of beach services. For surfing, the spot is known for a left-hand point break that performs best with south to south-easterly swells and tends to be most reliable during winter months. A mid-tide window is commonly favored, and ride lengths can extend substantially on a good day. Wave conditions are described as peeling with good quality when the swell and wind come together. Wind can make or break the session. North to north-west winds are the preferred direction for surfing quality, since they can act offshore and groom the surface. In summer, afternoon sea breezes are common but may blow the surf out; this can reduce consistency compared with winter. Best swell is South to South East. Safety is a major consideration here: the surf zone is rock-strewn with rocks and rip currents often present, and shark risks are also mentioned. The beach is reported as unpatrolled with no lifeguards/rescue service available for this location, so plan accordingly and follow basic swimming/surfing safety guidance for unpatrolled areas.
- Left-hand point break that works best on south/south-east swells.
- Offshore west to north-west winds can groom the waves.
- Rocks and rip currents are key hazards.
- Reliable exposed point break (left-hand) when south swells line up.
- Offshore west to north-west winds can groom the waves.
- Winter to early season tends to be best for consistent surf and wind.
- Rock-strewn surf zone with rocks and submerged hazards.
- Rip currents are often present.
- Unpatrolled area with no on-site lifeguards/rescue service reported.
- Summer winds can blow the surf out and can increase crowding on weekends/holidays.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NW, W
- Offshore directions
- W, NW, N
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Afternoon sea breezes are common in summer, but can blow the surf out.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady winds reported.
- Best Months
- June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- The southern headland provides some protection from southerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — One source lists rocks/rocky bottom; another lists sand around cliffs/rocky headlands. Net: rocky launch and submerged hazards.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Reported as medium; also described as small/flat more often in summer.
- Launch
- Small — Small tuck-in launch in the rocks; small sandy pocket surrounded by cliffs/headlands is also described.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate reported in one source; another source describes launch as easy—likely varying with entry point and conditions.
Through the year
Peak crowds during summer holidays and sunny weekends; quieter on winter weekdays.
Rain possible year-round; occasional East Coast Lows can bring heavy weather.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Small rocky beach/point setup. Works best with solid south swells; a beach break can occur in the center of the cove when conditions allow.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best on mid tide.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Exposed point in a rocky cove; tends to have some shelter but is still an exposed point break.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the west and north-west groom the waves; summer afternoon sea breezes can blow the surf out.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles larger swells well but can become heavy and difficult to paddle out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good wave quality reported.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling waves reported.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling/medium peel reported.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Point can offer medium rides.
- Typical Ride Length
- 75 m
- Ride Length Details
- On a good day the point can produce rides of roughly 50–100 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Mckenzies in the full forecast view.
Mckenzies wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- ENE68°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2511 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–2.0 m8s period
- Temperature
- 10–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Mckenzies is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.8–2.0 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
- Rip currents
- rock-strewn surf zone
- Sharks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards / unpatrolled beach.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue service reported for this beach.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Batemans Bay.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Respect the local lineup.
Rules of the spot
Never swim at unpatrolled beaches; always swim between red and yellow flags when available. Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup.
- No dogs allowed on the beach
- No camping
- Best swell is South to South East.
- Best wind is North to North West.
- It can get crowded on weekends and during holidays.
- Watch for the unsignposted turnoff and the small car park filling quickly during peak times.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Batemans Bay
- Nearest Town
- Malua Bay
- Parking
- Small car park next to/near the beach; fills up quickly during peak times.
- Public Transport
- Limited regional bus services connect Malua Bay to Batemans Bay; a private vehicle is highly recommended for accessing launches and attractions.
- Access
- Accessible via George Bass Drive with a short walk down a track to the beach. Turn off is not signposted; small car park next to the beach.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday rentals and caravan parks are available in nearby Malua Bay and Rosedale.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on the beach; cafes and shops are located in Malua Bay.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available in Batemans Bay.
- Gear Storage
- Not widely available.
- Gear Repair
- Available in Batemans Bay.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Coastal walking trails with opportunities for whale watching and scenic cliff views.
Privately owned zoo featuring many exotic animals including gorillas and white lions.
A historical gold-rush town turned into a hub for arts, crafts, and boutique cafes.
Popular casual dining option near the beachfront at Malua Bay.
Native Australian wildlife park where visitors can interact with kangaroos and birds.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Mckenzies?
The best overall months at Mckenzies are June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Mckenzies?
Mckenzies works with N, NW, W winds. Offshore directions are W, NW, N.
What skill level is Mckenzies suitable for?
Mckenzies suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.