Ballina South Wall
Ballina South Wall is a river mouth break that forms consistent lefts where the Richmond River meets the sea. The sand deposited by the river creates shifting banks against the south training wall, producing peeling lefts that can be remarkably consistent when the banks are right. The wave works best on clean SE groundswell with light WSW winds. Ballina has unfortunately gained notoriety for shark encounters, so awareness is essential. Despite this, the wave's consistency and quality keep locals coming back.
Ballina South Wall surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SE (135°)
- Direction range
- 100° - 170°
- Size range
- 0.5m - 1.8m
- Ideal size
- 1.1m - 1.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 11s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (275°)
- Offshore range
- 229° - 329°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
Water temp
21°C
Wetsuit
Springsuit / 2mm
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
4/10
👥 Spring Break (Sep 26 – Oct 11) — expect extra crowds
Access: Access from the Richmond River south wall. Carpark nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Ballina South Wall?
The Ballina South Wall profile does not specify a preferred tide stage. That does not mean tide has no effect: check local conditions alongside swell and wind.
What wind direction is offshore at Ballina South Wall?
The Ballina South Wall profile uses wind from W (275°) as its preferred direction, with an offshore range of 229° to 329°. Wind speed matters too: light winds outside that range can still produce surfable conditions, while strong offshore winds can make takeoffs difficult.
What swell size and direction work best at Ballina South Wall?
The Ballina South Wall scoring profile favors swell from SE (100° to 170°), a swell-height range of 0.5m to 1.8m, and a reference period of 11s. These are model inputs, not guaranteed breaking-wave heights or a promise that the surf will suit every ability.
When is the best time of year to surf Ballina South Wall?
The main season at Ballina South Wall is Jun-Aug. A secondary window runs May, Sep. Winter SE groundswell. River mouth sand setup.
How do I get to Ballina South Wall?
The spot profile lists BNK as a nearby airport. The estimated road transfer is 15 minutes. Access from the Richmond River south wall. Carpark nearby.
What kind of wave is Ballina South Wall?
Ballina South Wall is a beach break, a left-hander. Difficulty is rated 5/10.
Best Season
Peak: Jun-Aug
Secondary: May, Sep
Winter SE groundswell. River mouth sand setup.
Getting There
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