North Tabourie

Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Swell, Ocean
Spot Type
Quiet
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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

North Tabourie is an exposed reef-and-beach surfing area on the NSW South Coast where surf is described as pretty consistent. The spot is typically best when the wind is from the west, which helps keep the wave face cleaner and more groomed. Conditions are shaped by the reef: the bottom includes reef sections with sand present around the beach, and water can run over shallow reef to deeper channels. Provider notes also highlight that strong rip currents are common, especially near reef sections, which increases the importance of careful entry and paddling out. For wave size, sources describe generally medium surf and a workable swell window of about 1–2.5 m, with good-to-moderate wave power. The wave tends to peel with medium peel speed, and riders can see both short, punchy waves over the reef and longer sections along the beach. On larger swells it can become heavy and challenging. Seasonally, July is highlighted as the best month in the surf-forecast guide. Another provider reports best months for the wind as June, July, and August, and describes winter as generally the cleanest season for surf when offshore winds are more likely. Water temperatures run cool in winter (around the mid-teens °C), so wetsuit choice matters.

  • Pretty consistent surf on an exposed reef break
  • West winds are reported as the best direction for cleaner waves
  • Reef setup provides both punchy and longer ride options depending on conditions
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboard
What's great
  • Pretty consistent/exposed surf
  • Cleanest conditions are reported with west winds
  • Best surf season reported as July (and winter generally preferred for clean waves and offshore winds)
Heads up
  • Exposed reef setup can be unforgiving in rough conditions
  • Hazards include rocks, sharks, and sea urchins
  • Strong rip currents can occur near reef sections
Was this description helpful?
Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
W, WNW, SW
Offshore directions
W
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Frontal — Provider data describes frontal winds; group context notes winter more turbulent South-West to Southerly frontal systems.
Reliability
Moderate
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported by provider.
Best Months
June, July, August
Shadow Zones
Some shelter provided by the headland for specific wind directions.

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell, Ocean
Beach
Sand — Sand with exposed reef sections.
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Medium — Providers describe medium surf and a 1–2.5 m working swell window.
Launch
Medium — Beach access north of the lake entrance (provider).
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Launch area described as moderate difficulty.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
15–23 °C
Water Temperature
9–26 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jun–Sep: 4/3mmDec–Mar: Shorty / rash vest
Crowds by Season

Quieter during weekdays and winter; busy during school holidays and summer weekends.

Storm/Rain Season

Rain is possible year-round; summer can see more coastal storms. Regional context notes winter and autumn can bring East Coast Lows with significant storms and wind.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed reef-and-beach surfing area with generally consistent surf, with offshore cleanup when winds are from the west.

Reef breakBeach break
Optimal Swell
S, E, SE
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Provider reports best on mid tide.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed conditions reported; reef sections and open exposure contribute to difficulty.
Wind Effect
West winds are offshore and groom the wave face.
Bigger Swell
Can handle larger swells but becomes heavy and challenging.
Wave Quality
Good — Wave quality reported as good.
Wave Power
Moderate — Reported as moderate wave power; also described as pretty consistent/exposed.
Wave Shape
Peeling — Described as peeling.
Peel Speed
Medium — Reported as medium peel speed.
Ride Length
Medium — Can be short and punchy over the reef and longer along the beach.
Typical Ride Length
50–150 m
Ride Length Details
Short, punchy rides over the reef; longer sections can also form along the beach.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for North Tabourie in the full forecast view.

North Tabourie wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–10 ktsGusts 21 kts
Direction
ENE74°
Strongest day
Mon, Oct 2610 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
0.8–2.2 m8s period
Temperature
10–31 °C

Over the next 7 days, North Tabourie is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.8–2.2 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
  • Sharks
  • Sea urchins
  • Strong rip currents
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitLeash

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards reported.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No dedicated on-water rescue service reported for this spot; broader regional response involves emergency services and nearby surf lifesaving resources.
Emergency Info
Nearest hospital facilities are in Ulladulla (provider). Emergency number: 000 (regional group context).
Localism / Vibe
Mild — Reported as mild localism.

Rules of the spot

Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect local riders.

Restrictions
  • no_pets
  • no_smoking
Local Tips
  • Check the reef for submerged rocks before paddling out.
  • Best with wind from the west to keep conditions clean.
  • Be extra cautious around reef sections where strong rip currents are more common.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Ulladulla
Nearest Town
Lake Tabourie
Nearest Airport
Moruya Airport (MYA) ~65 km south (regional context).
Parking
Council-owned carpark at the boat ramp (also limited parking near beach access tracks).
Public Transport
Primarily by private vehicle via the Princes Highway; limited regional bus services connect Tabourie to Ulladulla and Batemans Bay.
Access
Turn left towards Lake Tabourie Tourist Park just before the Lake Tabourie bridge on Princes Highway; access to the lake and beach is along the tourist park road. Short walk to the beach from nearby access tracks.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Toilets
Camping
Accommodation
Near — Holiday parks and caravan parks within Tabourie Lake (provider); large holiday park adjacent to the lagoon area (regional context).
Food & Drink
Local general stores and cafes available in the town center (provider).
Equipment Rental:
Not specifically confirmed for surfing at this exact spot; regional context mentions basic watersports equipment can be rented locally, with specialized windsurfing/kitesurfing sourced from larger shops in Ulladulla or Nowra.
Gear Storage
Generally limited to private accommodation or the local holiday park facilities (regional context).
Gear Repair
Minor repairs may be handled by surf shops in Ulladulla; no specialist sail or kite repair lofts reported (regional context).
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

A tranquil coastal haven known for natural scenery and outdoor recreation, with notable surf and easy access to nearby national park walking opportunities (regional context).

Best time to visit: Summer months (December to February) offer the best weather for water activities and the most reliable winds (regional context).
Crampton Island1 km

Accessible by foot across a sandbar at low tide, with hiking trails and bird watching (regional context).

Murramarang National Park2 km

Coastal walking tracks and wildlife viewing opportunities including kangaroos (regional context).

Tabourie Lake Motor Inn & Museum1 km

Local landmark with meals and a museum of local history (regional context).

Tabourie Lake Beach0 km

Popular for family swimming and fishing in the shallow lagoon waters (regional context).

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at North Tabourie?

The best overall months at North Tabourie are July. The best wind months are June, July, August.

Which wind directions work at North Tabourie?

North Tabourie works with W, WNW, SW winds. Offshore directions are W.

What skill level is North Tabourie suitable for?

North Tabourie suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.