Casuarina Beach is a long stretch of sand on Darwin's northern beaches that catches cyclone swells during the wet season. The beach break offers multiple peaks and is more accessible than the reef setups nearby. However, the hazards are significant—saltwater crocodiles patrol these waters, box jellyfish are present from October to May, and the tropical heat is oppressive. The dedicated Darwin surf community has adapted to these challenges, checking croc warnings, wearing stinger suits, and embracing the frontier mentality. When cyclone swells arrive, the reward is empty, warm-water waves.
Water temp
29°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Popular Darwin beach. Nude section at north end.
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Secondary: May, Sep
Wet season cyclone swells only. Often flat in dry season.
Verified by Local NT surfers, Surfline
How well swell angle matches the spot
Wave height in the ideal range
Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.
Offshore/glassy conditions