Port Macquarie

15 Surf spots

Treachery Andrew Sheild

Forster Ian Bird

01/2

families beginners

Positives

Super-consistent beachbreaks
Summer and winter spots
Uncrowded line-ups
Undeveloped coastline

Negatives

Fewer pointbreaks
Summer onshores
Long exposed beaches
Sharks

Port Macquarie surf travel guide

Technically the Mid North Coast starts in Seal Rocks and extends far beyond Coffs Harbour so this zone is just the beginning. It lacks the sheer number of righthand pointbreaks found further north, but makes up for it with some of the best and most reliable beachbreaks found on the entire NSW coastline. Both summer and winter swells are catered for and more people are realising that stopping in to check out this area is always worth the time and effort.

Surf spots in Port Macquarie

Research the 15 surf breaks in Port Macquarie and discover what spots suit the current conditions.

Break lowdown

We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 15 breaks in Port Macquarie.

ability
ability data
Beginner	1
Intermediate	1
Advanced	1

bottom
bottom data
Sand	1
Uneven Reef	1
Uneven Reef & Sand	1
Boulders	1
Boulders & Sand	1

consistency
consistency data
High	1
Medium	1
Low	1

crowds
crowds data
Solo Surfing	1
Rarely	1
Sometimes	1
Often	1
Always	1

direction
direction data
Beachbreaks	1
Peak	1
Left	1
Right	1

length
length data
0-50m	1
50-100m	1
100-200m	1
200-500m	1
500m+	1

type
type data
Beachbreak	1
Submerged Reef	1
Point Break	1
Pier/Groyne/Jetty	1
Rivermouth	1

scroll / drag

When to go

Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Port Macquarie

Travel Information

General

Current Time
Population: 7,544,000
Tourist Info: Tourist Info

Money

Currency: AUD
Exchange rate: $1 = 1.27 AUD AUD

Communication

Dialing in: +61
Dialing out: 0011
Emergencies: 112
Language: English

Electricity

Plug Type: i

Visas

Everyone except Kiwis needs a visa before arriving in OZ so get one in good time before arriving. European countries, USA, Canada and Japan can get a free tourist visa online (some nations maybe charged a A$20 “service charge”). Visas last for 12 months but you can only stay for a total of either 3 or 6 months within the 12 month period. As always check carefully for any updates before you travel.

Getting There

Virgin stopped flying here in 2020, but Bonza has announced plans to fly to the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne from Port Mac (PQQ). It's a 4hr+ drive from Sydney.

Getting Around

Without a car, you aren't going far beyond the town beaches.

Accommodation

Most towns are set up for tourists with campsites that often have cabins to rent (fr AU$30/n). Backpackers try Port Macquarie YHA who have boards and bikes (fr AU$30/n). Awesome fishing around all the rivermouths and estuaries. Hastings River Fish Co-op sell fish straight off the trawlers.

Activities

cultureoutdoorurbanwatersports

Great fishing everywhere. Scuba diving at Seal Rocks is famous for sighting grey nurse sharks year-round. Bush-walking in Myall Lakes National Park.

Hazards & hassles

It’s not just timid grey nurse sharks found in the gutters at Seal Rocks with bronze whalers and the odd bigger shark around.

Handy Hints

Stormriders Surf Shops in Port Mac, Kempsey and Forster (no relation). Saltwater Wine have 5 locations including a boardstore and espresso bar in PM.

Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.