Ulladulla Bommie
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Ulladulla Bommie is an exposed reef break on the NSW South Coast that works only occasionally. It’s described as heavy and for advanced/expert surfers only, with the spot typically requiring significant swell to start delivering proper breaking. When it does fire, it produces intense, hollow, barreling right-hand waves over a reef bottom. Timing is important: the best tide is mid tide. The spot is also tied to winter conditions, with the surf-spot guide listing July as the best month. Both providers also describe the break as being best with southerly to south-southeast swell, and note that it may hold very large size on big days—at times drawing tow-in teams during extreme swell events. Conditions around the launch are demanding. Access is via the headland/Warden Head lighthouse area and involves a long paddle out to reach the offshore reef. Strong currents and rip conditions are mentioned, alongside submerged rocks and other hold-down risks that increase the seriousness of wipeouts on a reef. Safety is a key concern at Ulladulla Bommie: hazards include rocks, sea urchins, and sharks, and there are no lifeguards or rescue availability at the spot. Local guidance emphasizes being prepared for the long paddle, respecting the ocean’s power, and bringing appropriate protective gear (including a leash and suitable wetsuit/impact protection).
- Exposed reef right-hand break with hollow barrels when it works
- Best at mid tide with southerly/south-southeast swell
- Expert-only heavy conditions; long paddle out
- Very powerful, barrel-producing right-hand reef break when conditions line up.
- Best conditions are aligned with mid tide and winter south-southeast/southerly swell windows.
- Offshore/cleanest faces reported with West to Southwest winds.
- Works infrequently; only starts reliably in significant swell.
- Expert-level heavy reef break with dangerous hazards.
- Long paddle out required.
- No lifeguards and no spot rescue availability.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW
- Offshore directions
- W, SW
- Wind Range
- 6–9 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Sources describe the wind regime as gradient-type at the spot.
- Reliability
- 31% monthly blown
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Providers both indicate moderate gustiness.
- Best Months
- July
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef/rocky bottom with obstacles including urchins.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Big-wave conditions are described, with the spot starting to work only in significant swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Long paddle from Ulladulla Harbor or rocky entry from the headland near the lighthouse.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Providers describe launch difficulty as moderate-to-difficult due to long paddle and reef complexity.
Through the year
Rarely crowded; may see more activity during significant swell events.
Rain can occur year-round; East Coast Lows can bring intense storm activity and heavy rain most frequently between April and July.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed reef break that only works infrequently. Best at mid tide with south-southeast (southerly/SW-SW context) swells; when it does fire, it is heavy and can produce intense hollow barrels. Large-swell conditions are typically required to get proper breaking, and it can become tow-in territory during extreme events.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 2.5–6 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Both providers and the surf-spot guide align on mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef/headland setting.
- Wind Effect
- Cross-shore to offshore winds are described; West and Southwest winds are noted as offshore and producing the cleanest faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Only breaks properly in significant/large swells; can hold massive size and often becomes a tow-in spot.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Wave quality is described as excellent when it works.
- Wave Power
- Very powerful — Described as very powerful/heavy.
- Wave Shape
- Barreling — Thick, hollow barrels are described.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast peeling is described.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Medium ride length with intense, fast sections.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Relatively short but extremely intense and fast ride through heavy sections.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ulladulla Bommie in the full forecast view.
Ulladulla Bommie wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–10 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- ENE75°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2510 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–2.2 m8s period
- Temperature
- 10–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ulladulla Bommie is forecast for daytime winds of 3–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.9–2.2 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
- urchins
- heavy hold-downs
- strong currents
- submerged rocks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence at this spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue availability is indicated for the spot launch.
- Emergency Info
- Milton Ulladulla Hospital is the nearest medical facility.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism is noted.
Rules of the spot
No services provided by Surf Life Saving Australia.
- Best at mid tide.
- Requires a long paddle out to reach the break.
- This is a serious wave for experienced surfers only.
- Prepare for long paddle and significant water movement.
- It may attract tow-in teams during extreme swell events.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ulladulla
- Nearest Town
- Ulladulla
- Parking
- Headland car park available for access (Warden Head Lighthouse lookout parking also noted).
- Access
- Access from the headland car park; requires a long paddle out to reach the break (also described as using the Warden Head lighthouse area).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Ulladulla offers beachfront caravan parks, boutique motels, and holiday rental homes.
- Food & Drink
- Ulladulla town center has numerous cafes, restaurants, and shops.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental for surfing and SUP is widely available in Ulladulla and Mollymook.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Ulladulla Coast blends consistent Tasman Sea conditions with seasonal wind patterns and a maritime setting, with access to coastal scenery and nearby harbour-focused attractions.
A picturesque historic fishing port and town centerpiece with local seafood markets.
A white-sand beach area popular for swimming, surfing, and coastal walks.
An Italian tradition held every Easter to bless the local fishing fleet for a safe and prosperous year.
A challenging hike in Morton National Park with panoramic coastal and wilderness views.
A boutique winery, brewery, and restaurant offering farm-to-table dining with vineyard views.
A saltwater pool at the southern end of the harbour, described as a family-friendly option for swimming.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ulladulla Bommie?
The best overall months at Ulladulla Bommie are July, June, August. The best wind months are July.
Which wind directions work at Ulladulla Bommie?
Ulladulla Bommie works with W, SW winds. Offshore directions are W, SW.
What skill level is Ulladulla Bommie suitable for?
Ulladulla Bommie suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.