Surfing Broken Head: The Complete Guide

Broken Head is a point break located in Byron Bay, Australia, offering a right-hander along Australia's coastline. Broken Head is Byron Bay's step-up wave—a right-hand point/reef break south of town that delivers hollower, more challenging conditions than the mellow Pass. Rated as advanced difficulty with moderately crowded conditions, this point break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is E (80°), with workable conditions from NE to SE (45°–130°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Broken Head needs a minimum of 0.5m / 2ft to start working and handles swells up to 2m / 7ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 8 seconds, with 12 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the WSW (240°). The full offshore range spans SSW to W (200°–280°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at all tides.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Broken Head runs March, April, May, June, July, August (Mar–Aug). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens February, September (Feb–Sep). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Autumn-winter E swells. More advanced alternative to The Pass.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 22°C / 72°F. A shorty or spring suit is recommended for longer sessions.

Getting There

The nearest airport is BNK, just a quick 15-minute drive from the break.

Access: Turn off Pacific Highway south of Byron Bay. Short walk to beach.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪨 Rocks — Rocky entry/exit or in lineup
🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended
👥 Crowded — Gets very crowded

Rocky reef sections. More challenging than The Pass. Locals-only vibe.

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock
Surf early mornings or off-peak days to avoid the worst of the crowds

Skill Level: This spot is rated advanced (6/10). Crowd Level: Typically moderately crowded (5/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Broken Head? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Broken Head is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*