Evans Head
Evans Head is a quiet Northern Rivers town that punches above its weight for surf quality. The beach and reef breaks around the headland pick up E-SE swell and deliver uncrowded waves that most surfers drive past on the way to Byron Bay or the Gold Coast. The main beach offers multiple peaks, while the rock platforms around the headland create defined reef breaks on bigger swells. With a population under 3,000 and limited tourist traffic, Evans Head is one of the best uncrowded surf zones on the NSW north coast.
Evans 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 Evans 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
- ESE (104°)
- Direction range
- 51° - 124°
- Size range
- 0.5m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.4m - 1.9m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WSW (240°)
- Offshore range
- 200° - 280°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
22°C
Wetsuit
Springsuit / 2mm
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Easy beach access from Evans Head village. Small coastal town.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Evans Head?
Evans Head is a beach break in Evans Head, Australia, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Evans Head?
Evans Head picks up swell from the NE round to the SE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the ESE. It starts working at around 0.5m and handles up to about 2.4m, with the sweet spot around 1.4 to 1.9m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 9s 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 Evans Head?
A WSW wind is dead offshore at Evans 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 Evans Head?
Evans Head is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Evans Head?
The most reliable run of swell at Evans Head comes Apr to Aug. There's a second window in Mar and Sep too. Autumn-winter E-SE swells.
How cold is the water at Evans Head?
The water at Evans 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 Evans Head good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Standard beach rips.
How do I get to Evans Head?
The nearest airport on our list is BNK, then it's roughly a 45-minute drive. Easy beach access from Evans Head village. Small coastal town.
What other surf spots are near Evans Head?
The closest breaks we track are Ballina South Wall (31 km), Lennox Head (39 km) and Angourie Point (40 km), handy when Evans Head isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Aug
Secondary: Mar, Sep
Autumn-winter E-SE swells.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Ballina South Wall
🌊 Richmond River setup • Consistent lefts • Northern Rivers character
Lennox Head
🔥 Northern NSW's jewel • Long point dreams • Earn your waves
Angourie Point
📜 National Surfing Reserve • Freshwater pools nearby • Old-school soul
Broken Head
🌿 Byron's step-up wave • Hollow reef right • Nature reserve setting
Tallows Beach
🧭 Byron's swell magnet • South-facing exposure • Cape Byron views
The Pass
✨ Byron's soul • Longboard paradise • Sunrise with dolphins