Tomaga River Mouth
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Tomaga River Mouth is an exposed point break at the mouth of the Tomaga River, known for producing very consistent surf in winter—most notably in July. It tends to work best with a south to southeast swell, producing a left-hand wave that peels and can deliver long rides when the sandbars are well formed. Tide and wind alignment are key. Low tide is reported as the best time to surf, and southwest winds are generally offshore for this break, helping groom the wave face. Reports also emphasize that the quality of the break depends heavily on the current sand configuration, so wave conditions can change as the sandbars build or shift. Safety is a major consideration at the river mouth. Hazards include rocks and sharks, and the outgoing tide can create strong currents near the mouth. It’s especially important to watch conditions closely after heavy rain or during a strong outgoing flow, and to keep a close eye on tide timing—strong current risk is highlighted for the ebb period. Overall, it’s a well-known local winter destination in Far South NSW, with reported wind cleanliness in July around 35% and it being often blown out at other times. Crowd levels are described as sometimes crowded, with calmer periods in winter and busier periods around summer weekends and holidays.
- Very consistent winter point break
- Left-hand peeling waves off the river mouth
- Offshore southwest winds help grooming
- Best at low tide with southeast swell
- Very consistent winter surf with a classic left-hand point break.
- Best conditions occur when a southeast swell lines up with offshore winds.
- Often long, peeling rides when sandbars are well-formed.
- Exposed point break can be hazardous near the rocks and river mouth.
- Strong river currents on the ebb tide and during heavy outgoing flows.
- Conditions depend on sandbar shape, so the break can be fickle.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, W, S
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Reports include southwest winds (offshore for the break) and a mix of wind directions depending on conditions.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gusty conditions reported with moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- July
- Shadow Zones
- The headland provides some shelter from southerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Conflicting reports: sand composition reported in one source, while other data describe a rocky/exposed point and rocks at the headland.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size described as medium.
- Launch
- Medium — Beach launch from the southern side of the river mouth, or paddle out from the Mossy Point headland.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty reported as moderate.
Through the year
Quieter in winter; can be busy during summer holidays and weekends.
Rain can occur year-round, but summer can see more coastal low-pressure systems.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed left-hand point break that can form on the sandbars at the Tomaga River mouth, often producing long, peeling rides. It’s described as very consistent in winter and favors a clean southeast swell with offshore winds.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is best.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — One report describes it as exposed; another notes the headland provides some shelter from southerly winds. Overall: exposed point with partial headland shelter depending on wind.
- Wind Effect
- Southwest winds are offshore, grooming the face of the wave.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and difficult to manage with strong river outflow.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Described as high-quality with good wave quality.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Known for long, peeling rides.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Reported as medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typically medium ride length; can extend when sandbars are well-formed.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer rides up to 150 meters when the sandbars are well-formed. Typical ride length reported as ~100 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Tomaga River Mouth in the full forecast view.
Tomaga River Mouth wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- ENE65°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2411 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–2.0 m8s period
- Temperature
- 10–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Tomaga River Mouth is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.8–2.0 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
- Rocks
- Sharks
- Strong river currents
- Shifting sandbars
- Submerged debris
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported for this spot specifically.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability not reported for the spot itself.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, dial 000.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup.
- Watch the tide as the river mouth current can be very strong on the ebb tide.
- The break depends heavily on the sand configuration from the river mouth—conditions can be fickle.
- Be extra cautious around sharks and strong currents at the mouth, especially after heavy rain or during a big outgoing tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cooma
- Nearest Town
- Batemans Bay
- Parking
- Parking available at Mossy Point headland or near the boat ramp.
- Access
- Accessible via local roads to the river mouth launch point. Access also reported from Mossy Point and from the beach from Broulee.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday rentals and camping available in Broulee and Mossy Point.
- Food & Drink
- Cafes and small shops available in Mossy Point and nearby Broulee.
- Equipment Rental:
- Basic surfboard and SUP rental available locally; specialized wind sports gear typically requires bringing personal equipment or going to larger centers.
- Gear Storage
- Limited dedicated gear storage; most visitors use on-site holiday park facilities or private vehicle storage.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A nature-forward coastal area with wildlife and local nature walks close to the water activities.
Island connected to the mainland by a permanent sand bar, with walking trails and birdwatching.
World-class zoo featuring exotic and endangered species.
Popular local hub in nearby Mossy Point known for coffee and local produce.
Flat, scenic path suitable for families to cycle between beaches and local cafes.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Tomaga River Mouth?
The best overall months at Tomaga River Mouth are July.
Which wind directions work at Tomaga River Mouth?
Tomaga River Mouth works with SW, W, S winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW.
What skill level is Tomaga River Mouth suitable for?
Tomaga River Mouth suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.