Right Point (Cat Bay)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Right Point (Cat Bay) is a point-break surfing location on Phillip Island that’s best understood as a ‘big-swell, right-window’ spot rather than a reliable everyday wave. Multiple sources emphasize that the surf is extremely inconsistent and can be flat in summer; it typically needs a sizable southwesterly setup to wrap around and start working. When it does fire, the wave is described as a right-hand point break with peeling walls that can deliver long rides. One account notes ride lengths up to roughly 150–200 meters on a good day, while another characterizes rides as short—so outcomes vary with swell size and how cleanly the point is running. Wind is cited as southeast/offshore (with SE winds generally favorable). However, conditions can become messy if wind shifts away from the SE/offshore pattern, and the spot is reported as exposed enough that wave and wind interaction can matter a lot. Tide is also critical: mid tide is consistently recommended, and low tide can expose more rocks at the break. Safety is a central concern here. Rocks are repeatedly flagged, and there are specific wildlife-related cautions given the seals and sharks in the nearby area around The Nobbies (about 3 km away). The guidance is to surf with someone and to be especially mindful around low tide and any situations where you might need to navigate rocky access.
- Needs a large southwest swell to wrap in and start working.
- SE winds are generally offshore.
- Mid tide is commonly the safest/most reliable working window.
- Rock hazards and nearby seal/shark habitat.
- Works best for point-break surfing with long, peeling rides when a large swell wraps into the bay.
- SE winds are generally offshore, supporting cleaner surf when the swell is present.
- Accessible via Cat Bay coastal walk/parking area.
- Extremely inconsistent; may be flat in summer without the right swell.
- Rocks and exposed setup—low tide can increase the risk of exposed rock contact.
- Can get quite busy in the water during good swell windows.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE, E, SSE
- Offshore directions
- SE, E, SSE
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind can behave as frontal systems, with additional SE breeze influence in summer afternoons.
- Reliability
- Fair
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- January
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar · Dir: E, SE, SSE, SW, WSW · Thermal/sea-breeze development is typically strongest on warm afternoons on Phillip Island.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky/reef character at the break with rocks noted as key hazards.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Swell/working height varies by account: a large groundswell setup (2.5m+) is one cited best-case; another cites a working window around 1.5–4 meters.
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky entry or sandy beach access; access via Cat Bay coastal walk/parking.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
Through the year
Peak crowds during summer holidays and weekends with large swells; can still draw surfers when swell is massive elsewhere on the island.
Winter (June–August) brings frequent cold fronts and storm systems; winter may also include frontal storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Right Point (Cat Bay) on Phillip Island can be a high-quality point break, but it is extremely inconsistent. It is best with a large southwest swell wrapping into the bay, and typically on mid-to-high tide; low tide can expose rocks. Wind is usually most favorable from the SE, and ride quality improves when the point is running cleanly.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1.5–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is consistently cited as the safer/working window; one source also describes best performance around mid-to-high tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Reported as exposed; another source describes semi-sheltered conditions due to the bay filtering ocean energy—overall conditions depend strongly on swell and tide.
- Wind Effect
- Southeast winds are generally offshore; conditions can become messy with any northern component and this break is not sheltered from cross-shore chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size as the bay filters raw ocean energy, but requires a massive swell on the south/wrap-around setup to really start working.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Sources conflict: one notes short rides; another describes long, peeling rides and can offer rides up to 150–200 meters on a good day.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can produce long, peeling rides (up to 150–200 meters on a good day per one account).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Right Point (Cat Bay) in the full forecast view.
Right Point (Cat Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–15 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- WSW249°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2515 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.7–2.6 m10s period
- Temperature
- 10–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Right Point (Cat Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 1.7–2.6 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
- Seals
- Sharks
- Rips
- Crowds
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level sources indicate no rescue availability here.
Rules of the spot
- Only attempt when you can manage exposed rocks (especially around low tide).
- This spot is extremely inconsistent and can require a large swell to run.
- Watch out for rocks.
- Surf with someone due to seal and shark presence near The Nobbies.
- Best on a mid-tide to avoid exposed rocks at low tide.
- Needs a big southwest swell to wrap around and start working properly; SE winds are typically offshore.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Phillip Island, Victoria
- Nearest Town
- Phillip Island
- Parking
- Three car parks located in the middle of the big, sweeping bay; parking also cited at the end of Cat Bay Road.
- Access
- Accessible via the Cat Bay coastal walk or parking area; three car parks in the middle of the big, sweeping bay with easy access from the parking lot (drive towards the Penguin Parade and look for a lookout on the right side).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday rentals are available in Ventnor and Cowes.
- Food & Drink
- Cafes and restaurants in nearby Cowes.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Phillip Island is a well-known Victorian coastal destination with wildlife-led tourism plus dramatic Southern Ocean scenery.
World-famous nightly event where Little Penguins return to their burrows at sunset.
World-famous surf beach and racing circuit.
Nature parks with koala and penguin reserves, including historic bluestone buildings.
Historic working farm with early Victorian architecture and traditional farming demonstrations.
Boat tours to Seal Rocks, home to one of Australia's largest fur seal colonies.
Cape Woolamai surf coastline and Pyramid Rock granite formation.
World-class motor racing circuit offering go-karting and track tours.
A theme park featuring illusions, puzzles, a giant maze, and mini-golf.
Penguin viewing at sunset and koala encounters at Nature Parks.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Right Point (Cat Bay)?
The best overall months at Right Point (Cat Bay) are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are January.
Which wind directions work at Right Point (Cat Bay)?
Right Point (Cat Bay) works with SE, E, SSE winds. Offshore directions are SE, E, SSE.
What skill level is Right Point (Cat Bay) suitable for?
Right Point (Cat Bay) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.