Pennington Bay
Pennington Bay is Kangaroo Island's premier surf spot—a powerful beach break that takes the full force of Southern Ocean swells. The remote island location means crowds are virtually non-existent, but so are services. When solid SW groundswells arrive, Pennington produces heavy, punchy waves that rival mainland breaks. The island is famous for its wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, and sea lions, and the bushland setting is pristine. Great White sharks patrol these waters, so local knowledge and personal deterrents are recommended.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (210°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 250°
- Size range
- 1m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2.4m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (0°)
- Offshore range
- 315° - 45°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
Water temp
16°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Ferry to Kangaroo Island, then drive. Or fly direct.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Pennington Bay?
Pennington Bay handles all stages of the tide, so time your session around the wind instead. The live chart above shows the next few days.
What wind direction is offshore at Pennington Bay?
Offshore wind at Pennington Bay blows from the N (0°). Anything in the 315° to 45° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
What swell size and direction work best at Pennington Bay?
Pennington Bay wants SSW swell (180° to 250°) between 1m and 3m, with a period of 14s or more for quality waves.
When is the best time of year to surf Pennington Bay?
The main season at Pennington Bay is Apr-Sep. A secondary window runs Mar, Oct. Winter swells from the Southern Ocean. Exposed and powerful.
How do I get to Pennington Bay?
Fly into ADL, then allow about 180 minutes by road. Ferry to Kangaroo Island, then drive. Or fly direct.
What kind of wave is Pennington Bay?
Pennington Bay is a beach break, a peak with lefts and rights. Difficulty is rated 6/10.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Mar, Oct
Winter swells from the Southern Ocean. Exposed and powerful.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
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