Crescent Head
Crescent Head is the quintessential Australian point break—a long, walling right that peels a long way along a rocky headland on its day. The wave is forgiving and Malibu-style, making it a longboarder's paradise and a classic introduction to point surfing. The town is a quiet coastal hamlet with genuine surf village charm. Crowds can be intense when it's good, but the wave is so long that everyone eventually gets their share. This is old-school Australian surfing at its finest.
Crescent Head surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (96°)
- Direction range
- 29° - 117°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (203°)
- Offshore range
- 161° - 268°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.6m
Water temp
21°C
Wetsuit
Springsuit / 2mm
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
9/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Crescent Head?
Crescent Head is a point break in Mid North Coast NSW, Australia, that mostly breaks right. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves.
What's the story behind Crescent Head?
Crescent Head was a well-known longboard destination in the 1960s and 70s, and still hosts the Malibu Classic every year. Humpback whales can be seen from the local golf course between May and November.
What swell works best at Crescent Head?
Crescent Head picks up swell from the NNE round to the ESE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the E. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 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 Crescent Head?
A SSW wind is dead offshore at Crescent Head, and anything from the SSE 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 Crescent Head?
Crescent Head has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.4m to 1.6m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Crescent Head?
The most reliable run of swell at Crescent Head comes Feb to Nov. Year-round. Classic Australian pointbreak experience.
How cold is the water at Crescent Head?
The water at Crescent Head 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 Crescent Head 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. It gets busy (crowd 9/10), so mind the pecking order. Submerged rocks. Strong currents. Very crowded when on.
How do I get to Crescent Head?
The nearest airport on our list is PQQ, then it's roughly a 30-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Crescent Head?
The closest breaks we track are Breakwall (28 km) and Lighthouse Beach (32 km), handy when Crescent Head isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Feb-Nov
Year-round. Classic Australian pointbreak experience.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Breakwall
Port Macquarie wedge | Rock-wall bowls | Bodyboard town
Lighthouse Beach
🏖️ Port Macquarie staple • Consistent beach break • Mid-north coast charm
Saltwater Point
🌊 Right-hand point • ESE swell magnet • Manning & Camden Haven
Seal Rocks (point)
🌊 Right-hand point • ENE swell magnet • Great Lakes
Angourie Point
📜 National Surfing Reserve • Freshwater pools nearby • Old-school soul
Plan a trip around Crescent Head
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