Yamba (Main Beach) surf report
Town beach with banks that suit most levels on smaller days.
New region (beta): these break settings are still being checked by locals. Spot something off? Tell us.
Tomorrow at Yamba (Main Beach) (Sun, 4 Oct) · best 5am–6am
Fun.
Light cross-wind, head-high waves. Rated for a beginner.
- North-north-westerly wind at 6 kn. That's cross-shore here, so expect a bit of texture.
- Waves around head high (1.1m faces), a good size for a beginner.
- East-north-easterly swell at 6 seconds, an angle this spot likes.
- Low tide and dropping at 5am, but this spot prefers mid tide.
- Wind swings north-north-easterly 6 kn around 12pm, so it'll get choppy.
Forecast checked Sat, 3 Oct, 9:15 pm Gold Coast time.
When is Yamba (Main Beach) 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 Yamba (Main Beach) for your level.
Watch out
Rips near the rocks.
Surf schools at Yamba (Main Beach)
Lessons mean more people in the water. The app flags when a school is out, so you know it'll be busy.
- Surf Camp Down Under - Group Surf Lesson. Lessons usually start at 9am.
- Surf Camp Down Under - Kids 3 Day Surf Camp. Lessons usually start at 9am.
Frequently asked
What are the best conditions for surfing Yamba (Main Beach)?
Yamba (Main Beach) 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 Yamba (Main Beach)?
A westerly wind (W) blows straight offshore at Yamba (Main Beach), holding the waves up and keeping them clean. Light winds are good too. Onshore winds make it choppy.
Is Yamba (Main Beach) good for beginners?
It can be. Yamba (Main Beach) suits beginners on small, clean days. On bigger days it is better left to more experienced surfers.
What should I watch out for at Yamba (Main Beach)?
Rips near the rocks.
Are there surf lessons at Yamba (Main Beach)?
Yes: Surf Camp Down Under - Group Surf Lesson, Surf Camp Down Under - Kids 3 Day Surf Camp. Lesson times bring more people into the water, and Get Frothin’ shows when lessons are on, so you can plan around the busy times.
Nearby breaks
- Angourie Point 4.7 km
- Coffs Harbour (Park Beach) 97.0 km
- Crescent Head 197.8 km