fbpx Skip to main content
time to explore

Surfing around

Byron Bay

Learn More

It’s time to explore surfing around Byron Bay. There are a myriad of surf spots, from hidden away beach breaks to world renowned right hand point breaks.

Byron Bay is without doubt one of the most iconic places in the world to go surfing. There are a myriad of surf spots from hidden away beach breaks to the world renowned right hand point breaks. Many surfers live in Byron Bay just to surf in the beauty of Byron Bay and surrounding beaches. The laid back Byron Bay surfing lifestyle attracts thousands of visitors each year.

We’ve listed many of Byron Bays beaches, including the best ones for surfing and some of the lesser known beaches (where clothes are optional!)

If you’re a beginner surfer it’s always a good idea to have a surf lesson to learn about the waves and a bit about surfing etiquette. A lesson is well worth it as the feeling of catching your first wave is without a doubt just amazing!

The Best Byron Bay Beaches for Surfers!

The map above shows the best surfing beaches which are more easily accessible from town. Check out this map of Byron Bay beaches which includes all the beaches mentioned in this article.

Belongil Beach

Belongil Beach is the most northerly beach and is about one km north of Main Beach, it is a consistent beach suitable for all levels of surfing ability. It works best on a south easterly swell with an off-shore southerly or south westerly wind. It’s a quieter beach than some others which is good for beginners when the waves are small. However, be careful as there can be strong rip currents when the swells are larger.

And be aware that parts of Belongil Beach are unofficial ‘clothes optional’. Use your discretion as it isn’t one of the legal nude beaches, but you do quite often spot a few naked people around!

belongil-beach-byron-bay
back to map

The Wreck

Just north of Main beach is a favourite amongst locals – The Wreck. This isn’t a beach as such but it’s a popular and well-known surf break. It works best in a south-east or east swell with southerly winds. The level of ability needed to successfully surf this spot can depend on the size of the swell. The waves are consistently hollow due to the sandbank that the old shipwreck creates.

back to map

Main Beach

Located right in front of the town and the Beach Hotel, Main Beach is suitable for all levels of surfers. It’s also the most popular beach, so it can get busy with surfers, swimmers and even some kayakers. On larger swells there can be heavy rips here so be careful. There are surf lifesavers patrolling during summer.

back to map

The Pass

Further out towards the lighthouse The Pass is a world-famous right-hand point break. When the swell is a gentle 2-3ft, and with a south easterly wind, you get the most beautiful waves rolling in from the point.

The Pass is often described as one of the best surf beaches in Australia, so it’s Byron Bays most popular surf spot, as a result it can be hectic. It’s primarily known as a longboarding wave and unfortunately, some of the longboarders choose to surf without a legrope and selfishly this can cause many accidents, so keep an eye out for loose boards. It’s also where some dive boats head out from, so be aware!

back to map

Little Wategos

Little Wategos is a sheltered beach that’s great for swimming and body surfing as it tends to have calmer water than some of the other beaches in Byron Bay. It’s not the greatest for surfboard riding, but head here for a day of relaxed sunbathing and swimming.

Cosy Corner Beach

If it’s a nice day you can walk to Cosy Corner Beach, it’ll take you about 30 minutes, which is fine if you’re just heading here to watch the hang-gliders launching themselves off the cliff above. If you’re bringing your surfboard, then head here by car. You’ll have to pay to park but with the right conditions, the surfing here is excellent, so it’s well worth it. Tip: Cosy Corner is one of the few breaks protected from the dreaded northerlies, so it’s popular in summer. It’s also a great place to see the local dolphins playing in the surf.

Tallow beach

Tallow Beach spans all the way from Cosy Corner to the beginning of Suffolk Park. It offers both right and left-hand waves depending on the swell and wind direction.  There can be strong rip currents here so unless it’s tiny it’s not ideal for beginners who should probably head back into Main Beach and Clarkes Beach as a safer choice.

Suffolk Park

Suffolk Park is south of Byron Bay. It’s a quiet beach and very exposed to the open ocean swells and is not patrolled by surf lifesavers so only experienced surfers should head here. Tip – Suffolk Park is a dog-friendly beach say take your furry mates they’ll love it.

Suffolk Park Beach Byron Bay

Broken Head Beach

Broken Head is a beautiful quiet place to head to for a day out away from the crowds on Main Beach. There are excellent facilities here, including a small shop, BB Q’s, showers and a picnic area. Broken Head is popular with families, swimmers, kayakers, fisher people and surfers. Also, a 10-minute walk through the national park takes you to the popular whale and dolphin watching spot from the headland overlooking the Three Sisters.

Kings Beach

Just south along Seven Mile Beach road -Kings Beach is a pristine, secluded spot that is very quiet. There are some rocky outcrops to explore and you can sit under the shade of the trees. There can be good small waves but for the more experienced surfers. Being a secluded beach Kings Beach is another one of the casual clothes optional/nudist beaches in Byron Bay!

Brays Beach

Head further south along the dirt road from Kings Beach and you’ll arrive at Brays Beach. You’ll be rewarded with a very secluded and beautiful little beach fringed with tropical palm trees! There can be good small waves but again for the more experienced surfers.

Whites Beach

Whites Beach is the last beach you’ll come across in Broken Head Nature Reserve. It’s another secluded pristine beach with beautiful white sand. Often voted as one of Australias best beaches. Again here can be good fun small waves but unless it’s small it’s best left for the more experienced surfers.

Tyagarah Beach

Head north from Byron Bay towards the Gold Coast and you can find Tyagarah Beach. If you’ve visited all the other beaches on this list, then you might have stumbled across a few people getting naked at some unofficial ‘clothes optional’ beaches. Tyagarah has an optional clothing section of beach 500 metres along from Belongil Creek. There can be good small waves but best for the more experienced surfers as there are no lifesavers here.

Tyagarah Beach is an excellent spot for whale watching during whale season and is surrounded by the Tyagarah Nature Reserve. Being quite a bit further out of town, this beach tends to be quieter.

That’s our guide to the surfing beaches in Byron Bay -but they are suitable for everyone, not only surfers but swimmers, kayakers, fisherman, whale watchers, hikers, hang gliders and even nudists!

If you are learning to surf and we recommend a lesson or two, join the fun for some surfing lessons, the surf schools will take you to the best beaches in Byron Bay to learn to surf and get a knowledge of the etiquette so that you and others are safe out there.

Enjoy surfing and exploring our Byron Bay beaches, stay safe respect Byron Bay’s beaches!

Guest comments

Most beautiful, luxurious place we have ever stayed!

It had all of the things that we enjoyed such as bikes, yoga mats and chairs to relax in on the deck that overlooked the gorgeous gardens. I would not hesitate to recommend this place to a friend and I will be staying here again in the future for a lovely getaway.

We really enjoyed our stay it was awesome!! Close proximity to the beach and the house itself was beyond belief!!

From the moment we opened the door we were greeted with beautiful high ceilings, stunning timber floors and an AMAZING lush tropical garden where you could hear the waves crashing on the shore. This property is truly magical…

The property is of excellent quality and presented in immaculate condition. The wildlife is wonderful and there are beautiful walking tracks through the national park practically right at your back door.

A definite highlight was the ability to open up the doors off the studio and enjoy the natural surroundings including the sound of the ocean with the beach being a minute away! We absolutely loved every minute of our stay and found that the location was perfect…

We enjoyed so many things…. but an absolute highlight was watching the dolphins and whales from the lookout off broken head ….a gorgeous walk!!

…Above all it’s the serenity that sets this place apart as it’s seems to be engulfed but it’s own private rain forest.

Subscribe for exclusive deals and the latest information