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.
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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
Access: Access from the Richmond River south wall. Carpark nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Ballina South Wall?
Ballina South Wall is a beach break in Ballina, Australia, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Ballina South Wall?
Ballina South Wall picks up swell from the E round to the S, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SE. It starts working at around 0.5m and handles up to about 1.8m, with the sweet spot around 1.1 to 1.5m. Period matters too: aim for 11s or longer, as anything under 8s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Ballina South Wall?
A W wind is dead offshore at Ballina South Wall, and anything from the SW round to the NNW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 5am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Ballina South Wall?
Ballina South Wall isn't especially fussy about tide and generally works through the cycle, so swell and wind matter more here. Big tides can still change how it breaks, so it's worth checking before you paddle out.
When is the best time of year to surf Ballina South Wall?
The most reliable run of swell at Ballina South Wall comes Jun to Aug, through the southern winter. There's a second window in May and Sep too. Winter SE groundswell. River mouth sand setup.
How cold is the water at Ballina South Wall?
The water at Ballina South Wall averages around 21°C, so you'll want a springsuit or 2mm. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Ballina South Wall good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. River mouth setup. Strong currents. Shark sightings—Ballina is known for shark activity.
How do I get to Ballina South Wall?
The nearest airport on our list is BNK, then it's roughly a 15-minute drive. Access from the Richmond River south wall. Carpark nearby.
What other surf spots are near Ballina South Wall?
The closest breaks we track are Lennox Head (9.2 km), Broken Head (18 km) and Tallows Beach (23 km), handy when Ballina South Wall isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Jun-Aug
Secondary: May, Sep
Winter SE groundswell. River mouth sand setup.
Getting There
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