Norah Head
A south-facing reef beneath the historic Norah Head Lighthouse that fires on solid southerly swells. The uneven reef requires experience but rewards with quality walls when conditions align. Surfing beneath the 1903 lighthouse with its red-capped tower is a uniquely Central Coast experience. The headland provides shelter from northerly winds.
Norah Head surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSE (150°)
- Direction range
- 110° - 180°
- Size range
- 1m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Offshore range
- 240° - 300°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.4m
Water temp
20°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
5/10
Access: Access via Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Norah Head?
Norah Head is a reef break in Central Coast NSW, Australia, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Norah Head?
Norah Head picks up swell from the ESE round to the S, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSE. 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 10s 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 Norah Head?
A W wind is dead offshore at Norah Head, and anything from the WSW round to the WNW 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 Norah Head?
Norah Head 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 Norah Head?
The most reliable run of swell at Norah Head comes Apr to Sep. There's a second window in Mar and Oct too. Best on solid southerly swells in winter.
How cold is the water at Norah Head?
The water at Norah Head 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 Norah Head good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. Expect a moderate crowd (5/10) when it's on. Uneven reef requires experience. Lighthouse adds stoke.
How do I get to Norah Head?
The nearest airport on our list is SYD, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Access via Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve.
What other surf spots are near Norah Head?
The closest breaks we track are Catherine Hill Bay (14 km), Forresters Beach (14 km) and Banzai (Forresters) (18 km), handy when Norah Head isn't working. We track 7 spots around Central Coast NSW in total.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Mar, Oct
Best on solid southerly swells in winter.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Catherine Hill Bay
⛏️ Mining heritage waves • Historic village • Central Coast classic
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
Avoca Point
💎 Central Coast jewel • Long right-hand walls • The local proving ground