Broken Head surf report
Beach and point breaks in the nature reserve south of Byron.
New region (beta): these break settings are still being checked by locals. Spot something off? Tell us.
Tomorrow at Broken Head (Sun, 4 Oct) · not worth it
Nah.
Light cross-wind, head-high waves. Rated for a beginner.
- Northerly wind at 8 kn. That's cross-shore here, so expect a bit of texture.
- Waves around head high (1.3m faces), on the big side for a beginner.
- Easterly swell at 7 seconds, an angle this spot likes.
- Low tide and dropping at 5am, but this spot prefers mid tide.
- Wind swings north-north-easterly 12 kn around 12pm, so it'll get choppy.
- Faces around 1.3m. If it looks too much, watch from the beach. There's no shame in it.
- At 1.3m and 7 seconds, Broken Head is one for intermediate surfers and up today. Rocks at the head and rips.
Forecast checked Sat, 3 Oct, 9:12 pm Gold Coast time.
When is Broken Head good?
- Best wind
- Westerly (offshore) or none
- Best swell
- North-north-east to south
- Best tide
- Mid tide
- Suits
- Beginner+
Who it suits depends on the size: learners up to about 0.7m, beginners up to about 1.1m, intermediates up to about 1.7m. Bigger than 1.7m it is for advanced surfers. Long-period groundswell hits harder, so it counts as bigger.
It gets most of the open-ocean swell, so there is usually something to ride. A westerly wind blows offshore here, so mornings before the sea breeze are usually cleanest. Get Frothin’ checks the wind, swell, tide and the live wave buoys every hour and tells you, in plain English, whether it's worth paddling out at Broken Head for your level.
Watch out
Rocks at the head and rips.
Frequently asked
What are the best conditions for surfing Broken Head?
Broken Head is best with a westerly (offshore) wind or no wind, a north-north-east to south swell and mid tide. It gets most of the open-ocean swell, so there is usually something to ride.
What wind is offshore at Broken Head?
A westerly wind (W) blows straight offshore at Broken Head, holding the waves up and keeping them clean. Light winds are good too. Onshore winds make it choppy.
Is Broken Head good for beginners?
It can be. Broken Head suits beginners on small, clean days. On bigger days it is better left to more experienced surfers.
What should I watch out for at Broken Head?
Rocks at the head and rips.
Nearby breaks
- Tallow Beach 5.8 km
- Clarkes Beach 8.5 km
- Lennox Head (The Point) 8.6 km