Spookies (Angourie)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- Mixed
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Spookies is an exposed beach-and-reef surfing spot on the NSW North Coast with consistently recurring waves. The break is best at high tide, when the reef stays properly covered and the lineup becomes more predictable. The surfing is described as high-performance, with fast right-hand waves that can wall up and barrel over the reef section. On a good day it’s known for fast, hollow sections, while conditions become less forgiving if you’re caught on the wrong tide or when the sea state builds. Hazard awareness is a core part of riding here: the area includes rocks and sharks, and rip currents are commonly reported near the reef and along the beach. Local guidance emphasizes checking for rips before paddling out and waiting for higher tide to avoid the shallowest reef parts. Wind-wise, offshore southwest flow is the preferred direction for grooming the waves, and April is highlighted as a top month. At the same time, winds can vary, so it’s worth reassessing conditions before committing—especially because the spot is reef-influenced and can turn choppy if winds are not in the right window.
- Consistent exposed beach-and-reef surfing
- Fast, hollow right-hand sections (especially on higher tides)
- Best in April
- Offshore southwest winds help groom the waves
- Very consistent surf and a high-tide-friendly reef setup.
- Often offers fast, hollow right-hand waves.
- Can be very empty at times, with lower crowding than nearby main breaks.
- Good offshore wind grooming when winds are right.
- Rocks and sharks in the hazard profile.
- Rip currents can be very strong.
- Can become heavy and challenging as swell increases.
- Not suited to beginners due to reef/shallow-water risks and advanced wave performance.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, W, S
- Offshore directions
- SW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Offshore winds are generally from the southwest; wind pattern can vary through the day.
- Reliability
- Moderate (clean/offshore can be good in April).
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July
- Shadow Zones
- Southern headland provides some protection from southerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Reported as small overall in some guides, though the reef can produce powerful waves depending on swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Beach access located north of the main Angourie Point headland; access via stairs from the car park.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Guides vary: some describe easy access overall, but reef/shallow sections make paddling out more involved.
Through the year
Can be crowded during weekends and school holidays, though often less so than the main point break.
Summer can see increased rainfall and occasional tropical depressions.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach-and-reef surfing with very consistent surf. Works best at high tide, producing fast, hollow right-hand waves with both beach peaks and a reef component.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — High tide helps keep the reef from becoming too shallow.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach/reef setup.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore southwest winds groom the waves; onshore/variable winds (including northeast) can make it messy and choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold significant size, but becomes very heavy and challenging as swell increases.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good quality overall, with fast, hollow sections.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Often powerful, especially on higher tides.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Descriptions include fast/hollow sections, with mixed shape on the overall break.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast right-handers that can wall up or barrel over the reef section.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Fast right-handers; typical ride length can be medium.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast right-handers that can wall up or barrel over the reef section.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Spookies (Angourie) in the full forecast view.
Spookies (Angourie) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–13 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- ENE58°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2413 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.9 m7s period
- Temperature
- 17–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Spookies (Angourie) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.9–1.9 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
- rocks
- sharks
- rip currents
- shallow reef
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited in the area.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Maclean or Grafton.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect reserve/environment rules as this is within a National Surfing Reserve.
- Located within Yuraygir National Park.
- No dogs allowed.
- Marine park restrictions may apply to certain activities.
- Wait for high tide to avoid the shallowest parts of the reef.
- Check for rips before paddling out; they can be very strong.
- Spot can be very empty at times; still double-check conditions before committing.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Yamba
- Nearest Town
- Angourie
- Nearest Airport
- Clarence Valley Regional Airport (Grafton) is 75km away; Ballina Byron Gateway Airport is approximately 100km away.
- Parking
- Public car park with stairs leading to the beach (Angourie Surfing Reserve car park).
- Public Transport
- Limited public bus services connect Yamba to Grafton and Lismore; private vehicles are the primary mode of transport for the coast.
- Access
- Accessible down stairs from the car park; short walk from parking area through the reserve leads to the beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday rentals and camping in Yamba and Brooms Head; also accommodation in Angourie within walking distance.
- Food & Drink
- Nearby cafes in Angourie and Yamba.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in Yamba offer board rentals.
- Gear Repair
- Board/surfboard repair available at surf shops in nearby Yamba.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Angourie Coast area is known for surfing culture and protected coastline within Yuraygir National Park, with nearby coastal walks and freshwater swimming spots.
Deep freshwater swimming holes formed in an old rock quarry, adjacent to the ocean.
The first site in New South Wales to be gazetted as a National Surfing Reserve.
A 65km multi-day hiking trail that begins in Angourie and follows the coastline south through national park.
A popular local restaurant in Angourie known for an Italian-inspired menu.
Historic lighthouse with panoramic views and whale-watching opportunities during migration season.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Spookies (Angourie)?
The best overall months at Spookies (Angourie) are April, May, June, July.
Which wind directions work at Spookies (Angourie)?
Spookies (Angourie) works with SW, W, S winds. Offshore directions are SW.
What skill level is Spookies (Angourie) suitable for?
Spookies (Angourie) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.