Tallow Beach
- Shortboard, Longboard
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Tallow Beach (Tallows Beach) is a long, exposed sand beach break on the south side of Cape Byron that’s known for dependable, consistent surf. Conditions often produce fast, peaky waves with strong power, and the northern end (Cosy Corner) is the most protected section, making it a key area when winds threaten the exposed main stretch. The spot is widely cautioned for safety: strong rip currents are very common and can be deceptive, so entrants should check rips before going in. Hazards also include rocks at the northern headland/cliff end and notable shark risk, with additional mentions of jellyfish. The beach is typically unpatrolled at the specific spot, and lifeguarding is described as seasonal in the wider Byron Bay coastal area—so riders should plan as if rescue may be limited. Surf performance is reported as best when offshore winds are aligned (NW to SW), and swell direction working windows commonly include southern to easterly sectors. Wave height ranges are given for the working period as roughly 0.5 to 2.0 meters, with waves described as peeling and powerful. During very large swells, it can become heavy and may close out, with rips that make paddling out difficult. For non-surf disciplines, sources describe advanced possibilities for kitesurfing (wave/strapless styles) and wave windsurfing during strong cross-shore winds, but both are characterized as not beginner-friendly due to currents and beach-break complexity. Wingfoiling is also described as challenging due to shore break and shifting sandbars, with limited foil friendliness.
- Cosy Corner at the northern end is the most protected section
- Consistent exposed beach break with powerful, peaky waves
- Strong rip currents and shark risk—requires extra caution
- Popular northern pocket can fill quickly in peak conditions
- Exposed, dependable beach break with consistent surf
- Powerful, peaky waves suitable for experienced riders
- A more sheltered northern pocket (Cosy Corner) helps improve usability
- Works across all tides and can pick up more swell than town beaches
- Notorious strong rip currents that can be dangerous
- Unpatrolled sections at the spot and shark risk
- Rocks and a constrained northern area near the cliffs
- Can get busy at the most protected northern section during the right winds/swells
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, W, SW
- Offshore directions
- NW, W, SW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Offshore SW winds in winter can be favorable; generally works best with offshore NW-to-SW winds, with a sheltered northern pocket from northerlies.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- The northern corner is sheltered from northerly winds by the Cape Byron headland.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Long sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium in other reporting; powerful despite smaller-to-medium sizes depending on swell.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with ample space, though the northern end near cliffs is more constrained.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Reported as easy for general surfing access, but moderate overall due to constrained northern access and shifting conditions.
Through the year
Peak crowds during school holidays and summer; Cosy Corner tends to be consistently busy.
Late summer (February to March) can see higher rainfall and occasional tropical swells.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Advanced wave kiting spot; strong currents and the nature of the beach break make it unsuitable for beginners.
- Kite Sizes
- 8–12 m²
Suitable for wave windsurfing during strong cross-shore winds, typically from the South-East or North-East.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.5 m²
Challenging due to shore break and frequently shifting sandbars; best for experienced foilers who can manage the surf zone.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Limited foil friendliness due to shifting sandbars and surf zone conditions.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters beyond the break
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed and consistent beach break on the south side of Cape Byron, picking up more swell than the town beaches. Often fast and peaky, with a more protected northern section (Cosy Corner). Can become heavy and close out during very large swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE, E
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Works across most tide levels.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Mostly exposed, though the northern pocket is more sheltered.
- Wind Effect
- Best with offshore NW-to-SW winds; the north corner is sheltered from northerlies.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and close out on very large swells, with massive rips making the paddle out difficult.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Consistently good waves are reported.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast peaky waves are commonly reported.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Standard rides are typically medium; well-formed sandbar sections near the northern headland can be longer.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical beach break rides; longer rides can occur on well-formed sandbars near the northern headland.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Tallow Beach in the full forecast view.
Tallow Beach wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–17 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- NE40°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2517 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.9 m7s period
- Temperature
- 18–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Tallow Beach is forecast for daytime winds of 5–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. 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
- strong rip currents dragging out to sea
- unpatrolled beach (no lifeguards year-round)
- sharks
- rocks at the northern end
- heavy shore break
- Blue Bottle jellyfish
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are seasonal in the Byron Bay area.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is limited at the spot; emergency response is via 000 with hospital access nearby.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number: 000. Nearest medical facility: Byron Central Hospital.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism noted.
Rules of the spot
Follow standard surfing etiquette. Be mindful of swimmers near access points.
- No motorized watercraft near the shore (standard marine park regulations apply).
- Check the rips before entering; they can be deceptive and powerful.
- Cosy Corner (northern end) is the most protected part of the beach and is the most popular section.
- The northern end can be sheltered from northerlies, but check conditions if winds come from the north and the beach gets crowded.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Byron Bay
- Nearest Town
- Byron Bay
- Parking
- Decent parking with plenty of spots available at the beach car park; paid parking at Cosy Corner can fill quickly during peak times.
- Access
- Access via a narrow sealed road turning off behind Clarkes Beach in Byron Bay town; approximately 1km down the road (car, bike, or ~25-minute walk). Also accessible via Tallow Beach Road or via the trail from the Cape Byron Lighthouse area.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Extensive accommodation options in Byron Bay, including hotels, hostels, and holiday rentals.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous cafes and restaurants are located within a short drive or a long walk in Byron Bay town center.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in Byron Bay offer board rentals; equipment rental is described as readily available in the town center.
- Gear Storage
- Limited public storage; most visitors use local accommodation or school-based storage for lessons.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops in Byron Bay provide board repair services.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Australia’s most easterly point offering panoramic ocean views and whale watching opportunities.
Coast walking trails including the Cape Byron Lighthouse walk.
Guided tours to see dolphins, turtles, and seasonal whales.
Coastal dining with beachfront views.
Iconic venue overlooking the main coastal strip.
Gentle waves and sandy bottom suitable for children.
Sheltered bay with consistent surf for beginners.
Public park and picnic areas adjacent to the beachfront.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Tallow Beach?
The best overall months at Tallow Beach are June, July, August. The best wind months are June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Tallow Beach?
Tallow Beach works with NW, W, SW winds. Offshore directions are NW, W, SW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Tallow Beach?
Recommended equipment sizes at Tallow Beach: Kitesurfing: 8–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Tallow Beach suitable for?
Tallow Beach suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced to Expert · Windsurfing: Advanced to Expert · Wingfoiling: Advanced to Expert · Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.