Broken Head
Broken Head is Byron Bay's step-up wave—a right-hand point/reef break south of town that delivers hollower, more challenging conditions than the mellow Pass. The wave breaks over rock and reef with barrel sections that reward committed surfers. The setting is stunning, with the headland surrounded by nature reserve and eucalyptus forest. While it's only a short drive from Byron, the vibe is more serious and the locals less tolerant of drop-ins. When The Pass is too crowded or too small, Broken Head offers a genuine step up in both quality and consequences.
Broken Head surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to BNK, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Australia is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Australia — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Broken Head trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (80°)
- Direction range
- 45° - 130°
- Size range
- 0.5m - 2.8m
- Ideal size
- 1.5m - 2.2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WSW (240°)
- Offshore range
- 200° - 280°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
Water temp
22°C
Wetsuit
Springsuit / 2mm
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
5/10
Access: Turn off Pacific Highway south of Byron Bay. Short walk to beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Broken Head?
Broken Head is a point break in Byron Bay, Australia, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Broken Head?
Broken Head picks up swell from the NE round to the SE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the E. It starts working at around 0.5m and handles up to about 2.8m, with the sweet spot around 1.5 to 2.2m. Period matters too: aim for 12s 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 Broken Head?
A WSW wind is dead offshore at Broken Head, and anything from the SSW round to the W 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 Broken Head?
Broken Head 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 Broken Head?
The most reliable run of swell at Broken Head comes Mar to Aug. There's a second window in Feb and Sep too. Autumn-winter E swells. More advanced alternative to The Pass.
How cold is the water at Broken Head?
The water at Broken Head averages around 22°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 Broken Head good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (5/10) when it's on. Rocky reef sections. More challenging than The Pass. Locals-only vibe.
How do I get to Broken Head?
The nearest airport on our list is BNK, then it's roughly a 15-minute drive. Turn off Pacific Highway south of Byron Bay. Short walk to beach.
What other surf spots are near Broken Head?
The closest breaks we track are Tallows Beach (3.7 km), Wategos (7.8 km) and The Pass (7.9 km), handy when Broken Head isn't working. We track 4 spots around Byron Bay in total.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Aug
Secondary: Feb, Sep
Autumn-winter E swells. More advanced alternative to The Pass.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Tallows Beach
🧭 Byron's swell magnet • South-facing exposure • Cape Byron views
Wategos
🌊 Right-hand point • ENE swell magnet • Byron Bay
The Pass
✨ Byron's soul • Longboard paradise • Sunrise with dolphins
Lennox Head
🔥 Northern NSW's jewel • Long point dreams • Earn your waves
Ballina South Wall
🌊 Richmond River setup • Consistent lefts • Northern Rivers character
Cabarita (Norries Headland)
🌊 Right-hand point • SE swell magnet • Tweed Coast