Crescent Head
Also known as: The Point
A classic long, mellow right-hand point - one of NSW's great longboard waves, forgiving and fun-length when small, with more push and crowd when it grows.
Best time to surf
Autumn-winter groundswell (May most consistent); summer E/cyclone swells
Shoulder season: Good - an approachable wave that works across seasons on modest E/SE swell; quality peaks autumn/winter
The wave
Break type: Point break (right)
Bottom: Sand and rock bottom point
Wave direction: Right
Typical wave length: Long, mellow right-hand point - long rides that suit longboards on small-to-mid days
Ideal swell: E / ESE / SE swell; best small-to-mid for the classic longboard point; holds bigger with more punch
Ideal wind: W offshore (also SW)
Working tide: Surfable all tides; mid-to-high often optimal
Difficulty & skill
Difficulty (1-5): 2 (rises to ~3 when size and crowd build)
Skill level: Beginner-intermediate on small days; intermediate-advanced when big (bring a shortboard/fish)
Options for a mixed group: Killick Beach (patrolled beach break just north) for mellow learner waves; Crescent Head main/Pebbly areas
Safety & hazards
Rocks (point/rock sections), rips, sharks; crowding on good days
Kempsey-Crescent Head SLSC (weekend/holiday patrols Oct-Apr on Killick Beach); Kempsey District Hospital nearest, Port Macquarie Base for major cases; 000
Crowd, access & conditions
Crowd & localism: A popular longboard destination - can be busy/competitive when up; generally friendlier than the heavy northern points
Access & parking: Reserve parking near the boat ramp / Killick Creek and the point; an easy walk to the lineup
Surf schools & rental: On Point Surf School n Hire (lessons + board/SUP hire, by the boat ramp); Surfaris surf camp; Crescent Head Learn To Surf School
Water temp & wetsuit: ~18-24 C; springsuit most of year, 3/2 steamer in the coldest weeks, boardshorts/spring in summer
Crowds, access and local conditions change - confirm locally before you paddle out.
Around the break
Facilities: Holiday park, general store/cafes, pub, public toilets in Crescent Head village; boat ramp
For non-surfers: Killick Creek (calm estuary swimming/SUP), the golf course, Goolawah/Hat Head National Park coastal walks, fishing
Location
Nearest hub: Crescent Head (NSW)
-31.1917, 152.9772 (approximate)
Live conditions
Today's swell, wind and tide are a runtime layer - check the live sources: Surfline Crescent Head; Surf-Forecast Crescent Head; Beachsafe Killick Beach
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand surf report. Coordinates are approximate.