North Steyne (Manly)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
North Steyne (Manly) is an exposed beach break on Sydney’s Northern Beaches that’s known for quite reliable surf. It works best when a Northeast swell lines up with offshore wind, and the beach is described as having multiple peaks for variety across shifting sandbanks. Surf-forecast data also highlights northeast as the best swell direction and reports June as the best month. For wind and conditions, the cleanest surf/wind performance is tied to offshore winds from the West or Southwest. Spot-level reporting notes that Northeast winds tend to make conditions choppy and onshore, which can be less favorable for wind-based sessions. In summer, thermal sea-breeze patterns frequently bring a Northeast component, and Gemini notes thermal wind often kicks in after midday. Safety is a key constraint at this beach. Hazards include rocks (including rock groynes/submerged rocks), seasonal bluebottle jellyfish, and commonly strong rip currents—especially near the rock groynes and headlands. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards year-round, and swimming/surfing guidance emphasizes staying within the flagged zones; restrictions for kitesurfing include discouraging activity in the flagged areas and during peak crowd times. The spot is also highly popular and can be crowded, particularly on weekends and during summer holidays. Access is straightforward from Manly, but parking is extremely limited and mostly paid, with dedicated surf parking spots filling early.
- Quite reliable exposed beach-break surf
- Best surf conditions reported in June with northeast swells
- Lifeguards on-site at North Steyne Surf Life Saving Club
- Rips are common; rocks and submerged rocks present
- Exposed beach break with quite reliable, consistent surf
- Multiple peaks and staple value for Sydney surfers
- June reported as the best month for surf
- Lifeguards stationed at North Steyne Surf Life Saving Club
- Exposed conditions with rocks and submerged rock hazards
- Strong rip currents across the beach (especially near rock groynes/headlands)
- Crowds on weekends and during summer holidays
- Northeast winds can create choppy, onshore surf conditions
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WSW, NW
- Offshore directions
- W, WSW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Summer afternoons can see a Northeast sea breeze; offshore winds for wind sports are typically from the West/Southwest.
- Reliability
- Moderate reliability for wind sports; highly reliable for surfable waves.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- Nearby buildings and headlands can cause turbulence close to shore during offshore winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Conflicting spot-level descriptors: some sources characterize wave size as small, while others describe medium waves overall.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with multiple entry points across various sandbars.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
Through the year
Highly crowded year-round, especially on weekends and during summer holidays.
East Coast lows can occur at any time but are most frequent in Autumn and Winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible but strictly regulated and often restricted during peak hours or when crowds are present; usually preferred in Northeast sea breezes.
Not a primary windsurfing spot due to heavy shore break and crowds, but can be used for wave riding in specific conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.7 m²
Challenging due to the shore break and wave energy; only suitable for experienced riders on specific days.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters beyond the break
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed, quite reliable beach break in Manly. Multiple peaks can make it a staple for Sydney surfers.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NE, E, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Cleanest on West or Southwest offshore winds; Northeast winds create choppy, onshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but tends to close out on extremely large South swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported as good overall; also described as reliable and consistent.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Surf-forecast descriptions emphasize quite reliable/exposed surf; Gemini characterizes the break as moderate wave power.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Provides short to medium length rides on shifting sandbanks.
- Ride Length Details
- Short to medium length rides on shifting sandbanks; often holds size better than the southern end of the beach stretch (as noted in spot-level data).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for North Steyne (Manly) in the full forecast view.
North Steyne (Manly) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–13 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- ENE72°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2613 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–2.2 m8s period
- Temperature
- 13–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, North Steyne (Manly) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.9–2.2 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
- Strong rip currents
- Crowds
- Rocks
- Rocks near the groynes
- Submerged rocks
- Bluebottle jellyfish (seasonal)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Year-round — Patrolled by lifeguards from the North Steyne Surf Life Saving Club.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes
- Emergency Info
- Lifeguards are stationed at North Steyne Surf Life Saving Club; dial 000 for emergencies. Swim between the flags.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Swim/surf only between the flags; surfing and swimming areas are strictly demarcated by flags. No surfing between the red and yellow flags; standard council beach regulations apply. Kitesurfing is generally discouraged in the flagged zones and during peak crowd times.
- No surfing between the red and yellow flags
- Kitesurfing is generally discouraged in the flagged zones and during peak crowd times
- Standard council beach regulations apply
- Check the sandbanks as they shift frequently after large storms.
- Rips are common but can be used as a channel to get out the back.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Sydney
- Nearest Town
- Manly
- Nearest Airport
- Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) (~30–40km)
- Parking
- Parking is extremely limited and mostly paid (metered). Dedicated surf parking spots exist but fill up early.
- Public Transport
- Well-serviced by the B-Line express bus service and the Manly Ferry to the CBD.
- Access
- Beach access from Manly
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels, hostels, and holiday rentals are located within walking distance.
- Food & Drink
- Abundant cafes, bars, and restaurants along the beachfront and the nearby Corso.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at various surf shops along the beachfront and the Corso.
- Gear Storage
- Limited public storage; most facilities are tied to local surf clubs or private accommodation.
- Gear Repair
- Several local surf shops offer surfboard repair services.
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 North Steyne (Manly)?
The best overall months at North Steyne (Manly) are June. The best wind months are June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at North Steyne (Manly)?
North Steyne (Manly) works with W, WSW, NW winds. Offshore directions are W, WSW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at North Steyne (Manly)?
Recommended equipment sizes at North Steyne (Manly): Windsurfing: 4.5–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is North Steyne (Manly) suitable for?
North Steyne (Manly) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.