Suck Rock (NSW - Port Macquarie)
- Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Suck Rock is an exposed reef break delivering a heavy, fast right-hand ledge that can produce hollow barrels—especially on a rising mid-tide. The spot is described as a powerful slab that can still work on very small swells, but it becomes significantly more dangerous and expert-focused as energy increases. The reef is shallow and exposed at low tide, which increases the risk of severe impact on sharp rocks and urchin-encrusted bottom. Hazard exposure is a core feature of the spot: reports highlight sharp rocks, coral/urchins, kelp, and occasional sea creatures, along with strong rip currents and shark risk. With limited lifeguard coverage, it’s important to surf with planning and appropriate safety gear. Wind-wise, the area is typically associated with westerly and northwesterly components, and provider notes indicate offshore west/northwest conditions can help groom the face into cleaner barrel shapes. Southerly winds can increase chop and reduce safety, so conditions matter. Seasonally, July is highlighted as a best month in one surf guide record, while another provider points to winter (June through August) for the most consistent swells and favorable offshore winds. Water temperatures are generally cool in winter (around high teens °C), and a wetsuit recommendation of a 3/2 mm steamer in winter is provided.
- Exposed right-hand barreling reef slab
- Works on small to larger swells (conditions dependent)
- Winter generally offers the most consistent setup
- Very intense, hollow right-hand barrels with strong performance on suitable swells
- Good to excellent wave quality when the wind and swell line up
- Known for challenging but rewarding consistency
- Expert-only potential due to shallow exposed reef/ledges and powerful heavy barrels as swell builds
- Dangerously sharp hazards: rocks, urchins, coral, kelp; very shallow at low tide
- Strong rip currents and exposed conditions
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NW, N
- Offshore directions
- W, NW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider data describes frontal winds; group context notes south to south-westerly frontal winds in autumn/winter.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Mixed — Some datasets describe sand access areas; reef/rocks are the surf zone composition.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Described as small in one dataset; other data characterizes the break as capable of heavy, larger surf when swell builds.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Southerly winds can make the surf very choppy.
- Launch
- Small — Entry described as sandy access leading to a rocky reef ledge.
Through the year
Can be crowded during weekends with high-quality swells, but generally quiet due to its heavy nature and remote access.
Rain is possible year-round, with slightly higher rainfall in late autumn and early winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A heavy, barreling right-hand ledgey reef break that can deliver fast hollow tubes. It can work on very small swells, but it also becomes extremely heavy and expert-only as swell and power build. Low tide exposes shallow reef and a very dangerous slab/ledges.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE, SE
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Rising mid-tide is recommended to avoid the shallowest parts.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef slab with limited natural shelter.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the west can groom the face into cleaner barrels; southerly winds can make it very choppy and dangerous.
- Bigger Swell
- Can dredge over a sharp, urchin-encrusted bottom; holds size but becomes extremely heavy and expert-only as swell increases, including risk of sucking dry on bigger swells.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Described as good to excellent depending on conditions.
- Wave Power
- Very powerful — Often described as powerful, fast, and very intense; barreling right-hand reef slab.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short — Short but intense, focused on the take-off and barrel section.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short (<50 m) and typically focused on the first sections/initial take-off and barrel.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Suck Rock (NSW - Port Macquarie) in the full forecast view.
Suck Rock (NSW - Port Macquarie) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–13 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- ENE74°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2413 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–1.9 m8s period
- Temperature
- 15–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Suck Rock (NSW - Port Macquarie) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 1.0–1.9 m with a period of about 8s. 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
- sharp rocks
- coral
- urchins
- kelp
- rip currents
- sharks
- localism
- powerful shore break
- very shallow exposed reef at low tide
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards at the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional context indicates limited seasonal surf life-saving patrols in the broader area.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Tea Gardens or Hawks Nest (about 15-20 km away). In an emergency, dial 000.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism is noted as a hazard, and providers describe moderate localism.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup in this challenging environment.
- Localism: be mindful of the local lineup.
- Best surfed on a rising mid-tide to avoid hitting the shallowest parts of the reef.
- At low tide, be prepared for fall impact onto sharp rock; watch for kelp and occasional sea creatures.
- Access typically involves paddling through rip channels on reef, and it can be isolated—carry supplies and plan for limited rescue.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Newcastle
- Nearest Town
- Hawks Nest
- Nearest Airport
- Newcastle Airport (NTL) is approximately 50 kilometers away.
- Parking
- National Park parking available at Dark Point or Mungo Brush; a National Parks pass is generally required.
- Public Transport
- Public transport is limited; best accessed by private vehicle via the Pacific Highway and Tea Gardens Road.
- Access
- Accessible via Mungo Brush Road within Myall Lakes National Park; often requires a walk from the parking area or 4WD access depending on route.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping is available within Myall Lakes National Park at Mungo Brush; hotels and rentals are available in Hawks Nest.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities at the spot; bring all supplies.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental availability is described for nearby areas rather than at the spot itself.
- Gear Storage
- Dedicated gear storage facilities are limited; most visitors rely on accommodation or private vehicles.
- Gear Repair
- Basic sail and kite repairs are mentioned regionally, but spot-level wind/surf gear repair details are not clearly tied to Suck Rock itself.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The spot sits within the broader Myall Lakes National Park area, with rugged coastal scenery and access tied to park tracks and viewpoints.
A vast coastal park featuring one of the state's largest lake systems and pristine beaches.
The region holds deep cultural significance for the Worimi people, with many shell middens and sites preserved in the dunes.
A challenging walk offering panoramic views of Port Stephens, Cabbage Tree Island, and the coastline.
Historic local landmark offering waterfront dining and a classic pub atmosphere.
Regular boat tours depart from nearby Tea Gardens and Nelson Bay to view local bottlenose dolphins.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Suck Rock (NSW - Port Macquarie)?
The best overall months at Suck Rock (NSW - Port Macquarie) are June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Suck Rock (NSW - Port Macquarie)?
Suck Rock (NSW - Port Macquarie) works with W, NW, N winds. Offshore directions are W, NW.
What skill level is Suck Rock (NSW - Port Macquarie) suitable for?
Suck Rock (NSW - Port Macquarie) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.