Advanced riders
Best for
Advanced to Expert
Skill Level
Ocean
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

The Bombie is an exposed reef break on the open ocean with a reputation for heavy, high-performance surfing. It’s described as a big-wave spot with very powerful takeoff and hollow sections, but it is not for beginners. Across available references, the wave is treated as reef/ledge-driven and hazardous: sharp rocks, sea urchins, and reports of sharks are included in the hazard lists. Strong currents and rips are also noted, especially during larger swells, which contributes to the serious risk profile and the need for a solid skill level. Wind is described as frontal, with West/North West/South West directions featuring in spot-level patterns. West and North West winds are said to groom the face for cleaner barrel opportunities, while South winds can add chop. Providers also indicate that the spot is sensitive to tide and swell—aim for a rising mid-tide (enough water over the reef) and a solid south swell for the wave to “fire.” Access and facilities are limited relative to more urban breaks: one access method emphasizes reaching the spot via a longer walk from the Gracetown area (or a jet ski), while another describes access via Port Kembla Beach. Public amenities near the beach include basic facilities such as parking, toilets, and showers; however, there’s no reliable rescue specifically tied to the spot.

  • Heavy, exposed reef break
  • Hollow sections and powerful takeoff
  • Rising mid-tide recommended to cover the reef
  • Serious hazard environment (rocks, urchins, sharks; strong currents)
Great for
Advanced riders
What's great
  • High-performance reef break with very powerful takeoff and hollow sections
  • Conditions described as consistent enough to support a big-wave reputation when the swell and tide line up
  • Low visibility/crowd levels even on good days
Heads up
  • Extreme conditions for advanced/expert surfers due to heavy reef and exposed open-ocean setting
  • Hazards include sharp rocks/urchins and the possibility of sharks
  • Currents can be strong, especially on larger swells
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
W, NW, SW
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Frontal — Providers differ: one set describes frontal wind type; regional context notes strong southerly frontal changes year-round.
Reliability
moderate
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported.
Best Months
April, May, June, July, August
Shadow Zones
Directly under the northern headland during strong North West winds (spot-level detail).

Water & beach

Water Type
Ocean
Beach
Sand — Sand composition described.
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Big — Big-wave reef break reputation.
Launch
Beach start or rocky entry depending on experience and swell size (spot-level description).
Launch Difficulty
Difficult — Difficult launch/entry due to reef and exposed conditions.

Through the year

17–24 °C
Water Temperature
9–26 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jun, Jul, Aug: 3/2mmDec–Mar: spring suit or rash guard
Storm/Rain Season

Rain can occur year-round, with occasional heavy East Coast Low storms in Autumn and Winter.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed heavy reef break with a powerful takeoff and hollow sections. Requires advanced expertise due to shallow reef/rocks and heavy, intimidating conditions.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
S, SSE
Swell Height
1.5–3.5 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Best on a rising mid-tide to ensure enough water over the reef.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed reef break.
Wind Effect
West and North West winds groom the face for cleaner barrels; South winds can make it very choppy.
Bigger Swell
Can handle significant size but becomes extremely heavy and expert-only with a treacherous paddle out.
Wave Quality
Good — Quality described as good; best conditions tied to solid swell and sufficient depth.
Wave Power
Very powerful — Providers describe the wave as very powerful/heavy with a high-performance takeoff.
Wave Shape
Hollow — Known for hollow sections.
Peel Speed
Fast — Fast, intense ride focusing on the power/initial barrel.
Ride Length
Short — Typical ride focuses on early barrel/power before tapering off.
Typical Ride Length
50–100 m
Ride Length Details
Fast, intense ride emphasizing the initial barrel and power section before tapering off into deeper water.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for The Bombie in the full forecast view.

The Bombie wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
3–12 ktsGusts 25 kts
Direction
E82°
Strongest day
Sun, Oct 2512 kts
Windy days
1/712 kts or more
Waves
0.7–1.9 m8s period
Temperature
12–31 °C

Over the next 7 days, The Bombie is forecast for daytime winds of 3–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.7–1.9 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
  • sea urchins
  • strong rip currents especially during larger swells
  • shallow reef
Ability Level: Advanced to Expert
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestLeash

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
Seasonal — Lifeguards/patrol described as seasonal (regional context).
Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — Rescue described as limited; no spot-level rescue option indicated by one provider.
Emergency Info
Nearest major medical facility is Wollongong Hospital.
Localism / Vibe
Moderate — Described as moderately local with lineup sensitivity for a heavy-water reef break.

Rules of the spot

Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup at this sensitive heavy-water spot.

Local Tips
  • Best surfed on a rising mid-tide to ensure enough water over the reef.
  • Requires a solid South swell to really fire.
  • Park at the top of Gracetown and walk about 2km to the spot (or take a jet ski from Gracetown).

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Wollongong
Nearest Town
Gracetown
Nearest Airport
Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) at approximately 70km distance.
Parking
Park at the top of Gracetown; also described: public parking at the northern Port Kembla beach car parks.
Public Transport
Well-served by the South Coast/Illawarra train line from Sydney, with stations at Bulli and Woonona within walking distance of the coast.
Access
Park at the top of Gracetown and walk about 2km; alternatively take a jet ski from Gracetown. Another access route described via the northern end of Port Kembla Beach (MM Beach area) with beach or headland track walks.
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Toilets
Showers
Accommodation
Far — Various hotels and holiday rentals in Port Kembla and Wollongong.
Food & Drink
Local cafes and shops available in the Port Kembla town centre (short drive away).
Equipment Rental:
Surf shops in Wollongong and Shellharbour provide rentals; specialist wind-sport gear primarily found in nearby Sydney or Shellharbour.
Gear Storage
Limited public storage; most visitors rely on private vehicle transport or accommodation.
Gear Repair
Repair services available at surf shops in nearby Wollongong.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at The Bombie?

For wind, the best months at The Bombie are April, May, June, July, August.

Which wind directions work at The Bombie?

The Bombie works with W, NW, SW winds.

What skill level is The Bombie suitable for?

The Bombie suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.