Mckenzies

Surfing
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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.
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing bodyboardBeginners
What's great
  • 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.
Heads up
  • 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.
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
Wetsuit Guide
Jan, Feb, Mar: 2mm shorty or boardshortsApr–Dec: 3/2mm or 4/3mm full steamer
Crowds by Season

Peak crowds during summer holidays and sunny weekends; quieter on winter weekdays.

Storm/Rain Season

Rain possible year-round; occasional East Coast Lows can bring heavy weather.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

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.

Point breakBeach break
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.
Forecast

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.

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
  • Rip currents
  • rock-strewn surf zone
  • Sharks
Ability Level: Beginner
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitLeash

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.

Restrictions
  • No dogs allowed on the beach
  • No camping
Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Eurobodalla National Park Coastal Walk5 km

Coastal walking trails with opportunities for whale watching and scenic cliff views.

Mogo Wildlife Park15 km

Privately owned zoo featuring many exotic animals including gorillas and white lions.

Historical Mogo Village15 km

A historical gold-rush town turned into a hub for arts, crafts, and boutique cafes.

Sandy Foot Pizza Cafe1 km

Popular casual dining option near the beachfront at Malua Bay.

Birdland Wildlife Park12 km

Native Australian wildlife park where visitors can interact with kangaroos and birds.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.