Broken Head

Broken Head, tucked just south of Byron Bay, offers a scenic escape from the region’s more crowded peaks, with a laid-back, old-school vibe that harkens back to Byron’s hippie heyday. The setup here is a blend of beach breaks and a distinct right point break, peeling over a mix of uneven reef and sand. When the stars align—namely a NorthEast swell pushing in at around 1ft (0.3m)—the waves can be playful and fun, though they rarely reach epic proportions. The breaks are nicely spread out, giving you plenty of room to find your own line, and the wave quality improves when a bit of sand has built up along the shoreline, making this more of a summer-focused spot. Best conditions arrive on a low to mid tide with a SouthWest wind to groom the faces. Beach breaks welcome all abilities, while the main point demands a bit more from intermediate surfers seeking a rewarding challenge. On smaller days, the pocket beaches along Seven Mile Beach Drive offer quieter, equally beautiful alternatives.

Best Surf Season (April - August)

Broken Head is an east-facing beach in northern New South Wales, so the quality window is defined by a tug-of-war between easterly trade swell and westerly offshore winds. The months from April through August offer the best ratio: ideal wind frequencies climb from 47% in April to 70% in June and July, while average wave periods lengthen to 9.5-9.6s and wave heights sit consistently around 5-6ft (1.5-1.8m). Tasman Sea lows and Southern Ocean frontal systems supply the energy, and the SW-WSW-W-WNW winds groom the surf into clean, powerful lines.