Catherine Hill Bay
Catherine Hill Bay is a heritage-listed mining village with a quality right-hand reef break that peels along the southern headland. The historic jetty and mining infrastructure create a unique backdrop for surfing. The wave breaks over a rock and reef bottom, producing long, workable walls with occasional barrel sections on the right swell. Being between Sydney and Newcastle, the spot can get crowded on good days, but it's worth the paddle. The village itself is charming, with the old miners' cottages now heritage-protected.
Catherine Hill Bay surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (120°)
- Direction range
- 90° - 160°
- Size range
- 1m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.90×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Offshore range
- 230° - 310°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.4m
Water temp
20°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
6/10
Access: Historic mining town. Beach access from village.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Catherine Hill Bay?
Catherine Hill Bay is a reef break in Central Coast NSW, Australia, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Catherine Hill Bay?
Catherine Hill Bay picks up swell from the E round to the SSE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the ESE. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.7 to 2.1m. 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 Catherine Hill Bay?
A W wind is dead offshore at Catherine Hill Bay, and anything from the SW round to the NW 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 Catherine Hill Bay?
Catherine Hill Bay is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.4m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Catherine Hill Bay?
The most reliable run of swell at Catherine Hill Bay comes Feb to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Jan too. Works year-round. Best on E-SE swells.
How cold is the water at Catherine Hill Bay?
The water at Catherine Hill Bay averages around 20°C, so you'll want a 3/2mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Catherine Hill Bay 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 (6/10) when it's on. Rocky reef. Can get crowded on good days.
How do I get to Catherine Hill Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is SYD, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Historic mining town. Beach access from village.
What other surf spots are near Catherine Hill Bay?
The closest breaks we track are Norah Head (14 km), Merewether (the Ladies) (27 km) and Forresters Beach (28 km), handy when Catherine Hill Bay isn't working. We track 7 spots around Central Coast NSW in total.
Best Season
Peak: Feb-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan
Works year-round. Best on E-SE swells.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Norah Head
🔦 Lighthouse reef • South swell magnet • Rewards experience
Merewether (the Ladies)
🌊 Right-hand reef • ESE swell magnet • Newcastle
Forresters Beach
⚡ Heavy offshore reef • Expert only • 600m paddle-out
Banzai (Forresters)
🌊 Right-hand reef • SSE swell magnet • Copacabana-Terrigal-Bateau Bay
Wamberal Beach
🌊 Open exposure beachie • Multiple peaks • North end reef section
Terrigal Haven
🏖️ Central Coast flagship • Rocky point walls • Consistent performer