Surfing Lighthouse Beach: The Complete Guide

Lighthouse Beach is a sandy-bottom beach break located in Port Macquarie, Australia, offering both lefts and rights along Australia's coastline. Lighthouse Beach is Port Macquarie's most consistent surf break—a long stretch of sand that picks up E-SE swell and serves up punchy beach break peaks day after day. Rated as intermediate difficulty with lightly crowded conditions, this beach break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is E (100°), with workable conditions from ENE to SSE (60°–150°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Lighthouse Beach 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 11 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the W (270°). The full offshore range spans SW to NW (230°–310°). 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 mid tide.

When to Go

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

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

Season Notes: Autumn-winter E-SE swells. Consistent mid-north coast break.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 21°C / 70°F. A shorty or spring suit is recommended for longer sessions.

Getting There

The nearest airport is PQQ, just a quick 10-minute drive from the break.

Access: Easy access from Matthew Flinders Drive. Popular Port Macquarie beach.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🌀 Strong rips — Dangerous currents

Standard beach rips. Generally safe beach.

Safety Tips:

Study the currents before paddling out. Know your exit strategy

Skill Level: This spot is rated intermediate (4/10). Crowd Level: Typically lightly crowded (4/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Lighthouse Beach? 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 Lighthouse Beach is firing.

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