Nightcliff is Darwin's most consistent surf spot—a reef break in Australia's tropical north where crocodiles share the lineup. When cyclone swells from the Timor Sea push toward the coast during the wet season, Nightcliff can produce quality right-hand waves. The catch? Saltwater crocodiles are a genuine risk, as are box jellyfish and sharks. Local surfers check government croc warnings, wear stinger suits, and surf in groups. This is frontier surfing in one of the world's most dangerous marine environments, but for the dedicated few, it's worth the risk.
Water temp
29°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Darwin suburb. Check croc warnings before surfing.
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Secondary: May, Sep
Wet season cyclone swells Oct-April. Dry season rarely has surf.
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