Pines 1 (Point Leo)
- Longboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Pines 1 (Point Leo) is an exposed right-hand point break on a reef shelf in the Mornington Peninsula area. It’s repeatedly described as classic and highly regarded for longboarding-friendly sessions: a shallow, syncy takeoff opens out into a longer, more usable face—especially when the tide is high. Wave quality is generally reported as good, ranging from mellow/soft peeling behavior to more powerful barreling sections depending on swell and conditions. The ideal swell direction is reported from the southwest (and also south), with a working window that can be small to moderate at times; on the best days, ride distances can be very long. Wind-wise, north to northwesterly winds are described as offshore and helpful for grooming the wave faces; NW direct offshore is noted as ideal. August is the best month cited in spot-guide data, and the broader seasonality for the Mornington Peninsula supports best conditions from autumn into spring. Safety and access require care: the spot involves rocks, shallow reef exposure (particularly at low tide), and shark sightings have been mentioned. It can also be competitive and moderately local, and it often draws crowds. For the most comfortable depth and safer reef exposure, aim for high tide and avoid very low tide conditions.
- Right-hand point break on reef shelf at Point Leo
- Best on high tide; avoid very low tide for depth and exposure
- North/Northwest offshore wind can groom faces
- Works best seasonally from autumn to spring (August often highlighted)
- High-tide right-hand point break with generally good wave quality and long glides when conditions suit.
- Offshore north to northwest winds are reported to groom the faces.
- Strong reef/point character with potential for barreling sections on the right swell.
- Shallow rocky takeoff and exposed reef features make wipeouts higher-risk.
- Crowds are commonly heavy on busy periods (especially weekends/holidays).
- Sharks have been reported as a hazard.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNW, NW
- Offshore directions
- N, NW, NNW
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal influence reported; also consistent with northerly/offshore northerlies when surf works.
- Reliability
- Low (reported blown/low clean % on average); best periods are seasonally constrained.
- Best Months
- August
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocks/reef with shallow rocky areas; some descriptions include mixed sand/reef over aspects.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Some sources describe small waves; others describe medium conditions depending on swell.
- Launch
- Small — Shallow rocky flat with a small takeoff zone; walk out off rocks and jump.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Conflicting reports exist: one source describes moderate, another describes easy beach access via foreshore tracks—overall takeoff involves shallow, rocky elements.
Through the year
Highest in summer and during school holidays; can be very crowded on weekends.
Winter months (June–August) see the highest frequency of frontal storms and rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Classic right-hand point break over a reef shelf. Works best on high tide; takeoff can be syncy and shallow then opens up, with long glides possible when conditions align.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW, S
- Optimal Tide
- High — High tide repeatedly cited as the best tide for depth and wave quality.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef/point setup.
- Wind Effect
- North/Northwest winds reported as offshore and grooming the wave faces; NW direct offshore is noted as ideal.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but may start to close out or wash through at extreme sizes.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Generally described as good; longboarding-friendly with slow peeling character.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Often described as mellow/soft; can become more serious on the bigger end.
- Wave Shape
- Barreling — Reports include barreling sections on the reef shelf; also described as generally peeling/slow.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Gentle, slow peeling right-hand point break (longboarding friendly).
- Ride Length
- Short — Some sources describe short rides; other reports describe medium/longboard sessions that can reach very long distances on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Takeoff is syncy/shallow; then it tapers into open face. Some reports cite rides up to ~150–200 meters on the best days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Pines 1 (Point Leo) in the full forecast view.
Pines 1 (Point Leo) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–14 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- WSW242°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2514 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.6 m10s period
- Temperature
- 10–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Pines 1 (Point Leo) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.8–1.6 m with a period of about 10s. 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
- Shallow rock shelf at low tide
- Sharks
- Localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards reported as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited (regionally supported by seasonal surf life saving coverage).
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Frankston (also described regionally as Frankston/Rosebud hospitals). Call emergency services (000).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Reported as moderate localism; competitive with the crew.
Rules of the spot
Follow standard surfing etiquette; respect local longboarding/community context.
- No motorized watercraft in surfing zones
- Aim for high tide; at very low tide the reef becomes dangerously shallow and exposed.
- Walk out off the rocks and jump (short, for the takeoff).
- Keep sessions well managed and be considerate with the competitive/local crowd.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Mornington Peninsula
- Nearest Town
- Point Leo
- Parking
- Park at Pt Leo; short walk to access point (paid foreshore parking can get very busy on weekends).
- Access
- Take the turnoff to Pt Leo and follow; park at Pt Leo and walk over the rocks (short 5–15 min walk) to jump into the water.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Extensive foreshore camping within the Point Leo Foreshore Reserve, plus rentals/cottages in the surrounding Mornington Peninsula area (broader region).
- Food & Drink
- General store and small cafes in nearby Shoreham or Balnarring.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available via local surf school and in nearby towns like Shoreham or Flinders (regional).
- Gear Storage
- On-site storage is generally limited to camping residents of the Foreshore Reserve (regional).
- Gear Repair
- Specialist surf and fiberglass repair shops available in nearby Torquay or Frankston (regional).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A quintessential Victorian coastal escape blending rural charm with rugged ocean scenery, with a relaxed surf culture and active community focus.
A world-class sculpture park and vineyard overlooking Western Port Bay.
The region is famous for its cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
A scenic coastal hiking trail offering dramatic cliff views.
The local hub for coffee, snacks, and casual post-surf meals.
The oldest hedge maze in Australia, featuring formal gardens and a café.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Pines 1 (Point Leo)?
The best overall months at Pines 1 (Point Leo) are April, May, August, September, October, November. The best wind months are August.
Which wind directions work at Pines 1 (Point Leo)?
Pines 1 (Point Leo) works with N, NNW, NW winds. Offshore directions are N, NW, NNW.
What skill level is Pines 1 (Point Leo) suitable for?
Pines 1 (Point Leo) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.