Warriewood
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Warriewood is an exposed beach-and-point break on Sydney’s Northern Beaches that’s described as having very reliable surf, though summer conditions can often be mostly flat. Breaks can range from waist-high to very large sizes, and the spot is associated with a notable right-hand point section toward the southern end. Surf quality is strongly influenced by wind and swell. Offshore winds from the West or Northwest are described as grooming the waves, while southerly winds are described as cross-onshore and tend to degrade conditions. The spot is also described as semi-sheltered by tall cliffs, which can help limit the impact of strong south winds on the beach. The main safety concerns are heavy shorebreak, strong rip currents (including a persistent rip current near the southern end by the rocks/Blowhole area), and hazards from rocks at both ends plus a reef shelf at the southern point. Water pollution after heavy rain is also highlighted, so it’s important to check conditions after stormwater runoff events. Rescue coverage is reported as seasonal/limited, and some sources indicate no Surf Life Saving Australia services for this beach—so surfers should treat it as having unreliable lifeguard coverage and plan accordingly. Overall, the spot is generally aimed at intermediate surfers due to the combination of powerful waves, rips, and exposed terrain.
- Very reliable exposed beach-and-point surf with south swell
- Offshore grooming possible with West/Northwest winds
- Persistent rip current risk near the southern rock/Blowhole area
- Very reliable surf overall (summer can be flatter, but other seasons offer consistency)
- Works across a range of south swell sizes
- Grooming is possible with offshore winds from the West or Northwest
- Facilities include toilets (and additional facilities like showers/changing rooms are also mentioned)
- Exposed conditions with heavy shorebreak
- Rocks and persistent hazards near the southern headland
- Rip currents are common
- Water pollution can be an issue after heavy rainfall
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NW
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW, NW
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Winds are described as grooming offshore when from the West or Northwest; southerly winds are cross-onshore and degrade wave quality. Thermal/sea-breeze patterns dominate the wider Northern Beaches in warmer months (afternoon strengthening).
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs at the back of the beach provide some shelter from West winds but can also cause turbulence.
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar · Dir: NE, NNE, ENE · Thermal wind typically builds after around 10:00 and is most consistent about 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM across the Northern Beaches corridor.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Golden sand with access between headlands.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Waves can range broadly; one source notes waist-high to triple overhead depending on swell.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Heavy shorebreak is noted; wind can also create chop depending on direction.
- Launch
- Medium — Beach launch from the sandy area between the headlands.
Through the year
Very crowded on weekends and during summer holidays; early weekday mornings are quieter.
Late summer and autumn (March to June) typically see the highest average rainfall (regional baseline).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach-and-point break. Surf is described as very reliable overall (with summer sometimes flat) and can range from waist-high to triple overhead. Known for a notable right-hand point break area at the southern end.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Described as semi-sheltered with tall cliffs providing some shelter from strong south winds, while the overall coastline remains exposed.
- Wind Effect
- West/Northwest winds are described as offshore and can groom the waves; southerly winds are described as cross-onshore and degrade quality. Additionally, the spot is described as relatively sheltered from strong south winds, but southerly wind is still noted as cross-onshore for surf quality.
- Bigger Swell
- Beach breaks close out in very large swells; the southern point is described as holding more size.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Quality is described as good, with the best grooming when winds are offshore from the West/Northwest.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Waves are described as often powerful and capable of range from waist-high to very large sizes.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Point sections are described as fast and energetic; peeling on the break.
- Ride Length
- Short — Beach breaks are described as short, fast rides; the southern point can provide more structured, longer right-hand sections depending on tide and swell.
- Ride Length Details
- Beach breaks: short, fast rides. Southern point: longer, more structured sections are possible on the right tide and swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Warriewood in the full forecast view.
Warriewood wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–12 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- ENE78°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2512 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–2.3 m8s period
- Temperature
- 12–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Warriewood is forecast for daytime winds of 3–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.9–2.3 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
- heavy shorebreak
- strong rip currents
- water pollution (especially after heavy rain)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal patrol coverage is mentioned, but some sources also indicate no Surf Life Saving Australia services for this beach—treat as unreliable.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited; one source indicates no rescue availability.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services: dial 000. The beach is described as being patrolled by surf lifesavers during the summer season; however, there are also reports that no Surf Life Saving Australia services are provided for this beach.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; designated swimming areas (between flags) must be avoided by surfboard riders. No surfing between the flags when patrolled.
- Avoid swimming/surfing in designated swimming areas between the flags.
- Do not surf between the flags when patrolled.
- The southern end near the rocks (including the Blowhole area) can be particularly dangerous for inexperienced swimmers due to a persistent rip current.
- Check water quality after heavy rain because stormwater runoff can affect the beach.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Sydney
- Nearest Town
- Warriewood
- Parking
- Pay and display parking is available at the top of the cliffs and near the Surf Life Saving Club.
- Access
- Accessible via Pittwater Road and Lawrence Street; a steep walking path leads from the parking area down to the sand. Located below tall cliffs on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, NSW.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday rentals and apartments are available in the surrounding Northern Beaches suburbs.
- Food & Drink
- A cafe is located near the parking area at the northern end of the beach.
- Gear Repair
- Surf shops in nearby Mona Vale offer board repairs.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Warriewood?
The best overall months at Warriewood are April, March, May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are March, April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Warriewood?
Warriewood works with W, NW winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW, NW.
What skill level is Warriewood suitable for?
Warriewood suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.