Norries Head
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Norries Head is an exposed right-hand point break on the Cabarita Beach Tweed Coast. It’s known for being less consistent than other nearby beach breaks, but when it sets up correctly it can produce long, peeling waves that wrap around the rocky headland. The break is generally best when the swell comes from the south or southeast, and conditions are typically most favorable with west or southwest winds. The standout downside is hazard exposure: the take-off is very close to rocks, and the area around the headland can involve rip currents and strong sweep on bigger swells. Shark risk is also listed alongside the rocks, so it’s important to stay situationally aware and avoid overreaching in heavier, faster-moving water. Seasonally, the spot is described as performing best in summer, with September specifically called out as the best month in one guide. Regional context also notes strong thermal/sea-breeze tendencies in the warmer months, which can support cleaner wind conditions for surfing—though wind direction can quickly affect how the waves behave (north winds making the setup choppier). Access is via a short walk from the Norries Headland parking/overlook area, and there are basic amenities nearby in Cabarita Beach (food and services in town, with parking available at/near the headland). Rescue is described as limited, and lifeguards are reported as not present at the break itself, so plan accordingly and surf within your comfort and experience level.
- Exposed right-hand point break with peeling waves around the headland
- Best when swell is south/southeast and winds are from the west or southwest
- Hazard-heavy area: rocks, sharks, rip currents, and strong sweeps
- Right-hand point break that can produce peeling waves wrapping around the headland
- Best surfing conditions align with south/southeast swell and west-family winds
- Scenic headland setting with nearby amenities in Cabarita Beach
- Exposed point break with unreliable wave conditions
- Rocks and shark risk, plus rip currents and strong sweeps near the headland
- Can become difficult to manage on larger sets
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Afternoon sea-breeze pattern is noted, with lighter morning offshore influence.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Some shelter is provided from southerly winds by the headland.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky entry off the headland or paddle out from the adjacent beach.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
Through the year
Can be crowded during weekends and school holidays.
Summer and early autumn often see higher rainfall and potential storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed right-hand point break with generally unreliable conditions. Takes shape on south-easterly swell and can offer peeling sections around the point, but heavy sweeps and rocks increase difficulty with bigger sets.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Headland wraps and provides some protection, but the spot is still exposed overall.
- Wind Effect
- Cleanest with West or Southwest winds; North winds make it choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle some size but becomes difficult to manage with heavy sweeps.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — A right-hand point break that wraps around the rocky headland.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can connect for a reasonably long ride on larger SE swells.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves wrap around the point offering sections for turns; can connect for a reasonably long ride on larger SE swells.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Norries Head in the full forecast view.
Norries Head wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–13 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- NE42°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–2.1 m7s period
- Temperature
- 17–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Norries Head is forecast for daytime winds of 2–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.0–2.1 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- Rip currents
- Strong sweeps
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — Spot-level sources report no lifeguards at this specific break, while the wider region is seasonally patrolled.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, dial 000 for emergency services.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup.
- Take-off is right next to the rocks, requiring precision.
- Rocks and current make it important to match the swell direction to the point (best when the swell is coming from the South or Southeast).
- Be extra cautious around the headland where rip currents are common.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Gold Coast
- Nearest Town
- Cabarita Beach
- Nearest Airport
- Gold Coast Airport (OOL), ~22 km.
- Parking
- Public parking available at the Norries Headland lookout and nearby streets.
- Public Transport
- Limited local bus services; a rental car is highly recommended for coastal access.
- Access
- Located at Cabarita Beach, Tweed Coast, NSW. Accessible via a short walk from the parking area at the Norries Headland lookout.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels and holiday rentals in Cabarita Beach.
- Food & Drink
- Cafes and restaurants located in the nearby town of Cabarita Beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in Cabarita Beach provide board rentals.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Iconic headland viewpoints with nearby whale-watching in season, plus regional nature areas and coastal scenery along the Cabarita coast.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Norries Head?
The best overall months at Norries Head are June, July, August, September. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Norries Head?
Norries Head works with W winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW.
What skill level is Norries Head suitable for?
Norries Head suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.