Seven Miles Beach (Gerroa)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Mixed
- Spot Type
- 15–25 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Seven Miles Beach (Gerroa) is a long stretch of sand in the Illawarra area with an exposed beach-break character. Surf conditions are reported as soft and generally low-power, but there are conflicting assessments of wave quality: one source describes waves as working only occasionally with small, inconsistent surf, while another describes the beach as producing longer, gentler, beginner-friendly waves when conditions align. For surfing, the northern end is described as more sheltered—particularly when NE winds are active—helping keep conditions cleaner for learning. Reported sandbar effects can create peel along the beach (often longer rides when the swell builds), though bigger swell can push some sections to close out (especially when swell exceeds about 2 meters). Wind sports are strongly tied to summer sea-breeze behavior. Reported patterns include a consistent afternoon wind window (about 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM) with NE-dominated winds, and wind reliability is described as high in summer. This supports kitesurfing, windsurfing, and wingfoiling, with guidance that near-shore conditions may be affected by shifting sandbars (requiring attention for foil clearance). Safety considerations are important: rip currents are common along the length of the beach, with stronger flow near the Crooked River mouth, and sandbars can create hazardous footing conditions. Seasonal bluebottles are also noted, and there is a reported risk of localism. Check surf conditions before heading out—weather and fire danger can also affect access to the national park.
- Long sandy beach with space for rigging/launching
- Sheltered northern end helps keep conditions cleaner for beginners
- Consistent summer afternoon sea-breeze for wind-based sports
- Rip currents common; stronger near the Crooked River mouth
- Long sandy shoreline with generally forgiving conditions for beginners at the sheltered northern end.
- Wind sports benefit from consistent summer sea breezes and an afternoon wind window.
- Multiple disciplines are reported viable: surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and wingfoiling.
- Surf can be inconsistent and may only work occasionally.
- Localism is reported as a hazard.
- Rip currents and strong river mouth currents are common along the beach.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, ENE, SSE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — NE-dominated sea breezes in summer; sea-breeze conditions are the main wind driver for this beach.
- Reliability
- High during summer months (summer sea-breeze conditions).
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Reported as light-gusts for summer sea-breeze conditions.
- Best Months
- September, October, November, December, January, February, March
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach across the main shoreline.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Surf wave size reported as small by one source; another reports medium waves.
- Launch
- Medium — North corner of Seven Mile Beach; reported as wide sandy beach with ample space for rigging and launching.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Reported as easy.
Through the year
High on weekends and during school holidays (December–January); quiet during winter weekdays.
Rain is most frequent between February and June.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Reported as a popular kitesurfing beach, especially in summer sea-breeze conditions, with a long beach that provides space.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Reported as a legendary windsurfing area for NE sea-breeze winds, with small waves suitable for bump-and-jump and wave riding; cross-shore character in NE winds.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.7–6 m²
Open beach and consistent winds suitable for wingfoiling; foil clearance needed near shore due to shifting sandbars.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil friendly reported.
- Min Depth
- 1.2m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Long sandy beach with a beach-break that is reasonably exposed; waves can be inconsistent and can work only occasionally, depending on the day.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Reported as working across all tides.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Exposed beach overall, with the northern end described as more sheltered from prevailing NE winds.
- Wind Effect
- Onshore typical for surfing; northern end can stay cleaner when NE winds are active.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when the swell exceeds 2 meters; the southern end may hold more size.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Conflicting reports exist: one source rates wave quality as good, while another rates it as poor and only occasional.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Soft wave power overall.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Mushy / mixed feel depending on conditions.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Mushy waves with slow peeling on the sandbars; can peel for longer distances along the sandbars.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides can be significantly long when the swell builds and the sandbars are working.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can peel for significant distances along the sandbars, especially on a building south swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Seven Miles Beach (Gerroa) in the full forecast view.
Seven Miles Beach (Gerroa) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–9 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- ENE70°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 249 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.9 m7s period
- Temperature
- 12–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Seven Miles Beach (Gerroa) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.8–1.9 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- Rip currents
- Bluebottles (seasonal jellyfish)
- Strong river mouth currents
- Submerged sandbars
- Localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards reported as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Call 000 for emergencies. Nearest hospital reported as Shellharbour or Kiama area.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism reported as a hazard for the spot.
Rules of the spot
Respect designated swimming areas (flagged zones) when lifeguards are present.
- Dogs must be on leashes in specific National Park areas.
- Vehicle access prohibited on the beach.
- Seven Mile Beach National Park may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
- Launch from the north corner for a more sheltered, cross-offshore breeze when conditions are blowing.
- Check for bluebottles when the wind is from the northeast.
- Check surf conditions before visiting; lessons can be affected by variable conditions.
- Crooked River is a calmer option for children when the ocean is rough.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Gerringong
- Nearest Town
- Gerroa
- Parking
- Parking available near Seven Mile Holiday Park via Crooked River Road; ample parking also reported at the northern end near Crooked River mouth and within Seven Mile Beach National Park.
- Access
- Turn off the Princes Highway to Gerringong, drive south through Gerroa to reach Seven Mile Beach National Park. Access is also available from Crooked River Road near Seven Mile Holiday Park.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday parks and holiday rentals are reported in Gerroa and nearby Gerringong.
- Food & Drink
- Dining options reported near the area.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard and wetsuit rentals reported via local surf schools.
- Gear Storage
- No public beach lockers reported; storage appears limited and tied to accommodation/school facilities.
- Gear Repair
- Minor board repairs reported via nearby local shops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A national-park-backed coastal area with nearby attractions and outdoor walks, suited to both wind and surf trips.
A natural rock formation that shoots water high into the air.
Coastal forest walking tracks and birdwatching opportunities within the regional coastline.
Fossil displays dating 250–300 million years old.
A historic town known for heritage buildings, markets, and artisanal shops.
Walking the long stretch of beach from Gerroa toward Shoalhaven Heads.
Rock fishing and fossil hunting on the Black Head rock platform.
Extensive coastal forest walking tracks and birdwatching opportunities.
Popular local restaurant offering seasonal produce with views of the Crooked River.
Local wine and beer production.
Swimming and playing in calm shallows and gentle surf.
Large seasonal water park with slides and attractions for all ages.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Seven Miles Beach (Gerroa)?
The best overall months at Seven Miles Beach (Gerroa) are July. The best wind months are September, October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Seven Miles Beach (Gerroa)?
Seven Miles Beach (Gerroa) works with NE, ENE, SSE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Seven Miles Beach (Gerroa)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Seven Miles Beach (Gerroa): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.7–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Seven Miles Beach (Gerroa) suitable for?
Seven Miles Beach (Gerroa) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.