Norries Head

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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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

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
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • 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
Heads up
  • 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
Was this description helpful?
Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
19–26 °C
Water Temperature
11–29 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jun, Jul, Aug: 3/2mm full suitApr–Oct: 2mm shortyJan, Feb, Mar: boardshorts/rash vest
Crowds by Season

Can be crowded during weekends and school holidays.

Storm/Rain Season

Summer and early autumn often see higher rainfall and potential storms.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

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.

Point break
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.
Forecast

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.

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
  • Sharks
  • Rip currents
  • Strong sweeps
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitLeash

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.

Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Picnic area
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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Iconic headland viewpoints with nearby whale-watching in season, plus regional nature areas and coastal scenery along the Cabarita coast.

Best time to visit: October to April for warm weather and consistent sea breezes.
Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.