Surfing Tallows Beach: The Complete Guide

Tallows Beach is a sandy-bottom beach break located in Byron Bay, Australia, offering both lefts and rights along Australia's coastline. Tallows Beach is Byron Bay's swell magnet—the long, south-facing stretch of beach between Cape Byron and Broken Head that catches SE-E swell when the north-facing breaks like The Pass go flat. 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 ESE (110°), with workable conditions from ENE to SSE (70°–160°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Tallows 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 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 mid tide.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Tallows Beach runs Year-round. This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Season Notes: Year-round. Swell magnet when other Byron spots are flat.

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: Beach access from Tallows Beach Road or walk from Cape Byron.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🌀 Strong rips — Dangerous currents
🦈 Sharks — Known shark activity

Strong rips. Occasional shark sightings. Remote southern section.

Safety Tips:

Avoid surfing at dawn/dusk and near river mouths. Surf with a buddy
Study the currents before paddling out. Know your exit strategy

Skill Level: This spot is rated intermediate (5/10). Crowd Level: Typically lightly crowded (3/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Tallows 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 Tallows Beach is firing.

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