Beach Safety: Beachsafe is an online beach safety portal for all Australians and visitors. - Broken Head

Broken Head, Broken Head

Nsw 2481
Sharks Bluebottles Strong Currents

Drinking water Toilets Toilets Kiosk Public phone Park BBQ Picnic Shade Shelters Parking
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UNPATROLLED BEACH TODAY

Beach number: nsw016C
State/Region: NSW - Broken Head
Beach name: BROKEN HEAD
General Beach Hazard Rating: 6
Least hazardous: 1-3
Moderately hazardous: 4-6
Highly hazardous: 7-8
Extremely hazardous: 9-10
Hazard rating refers to physical beach and surf conditions ONLY and does not include potentially dangerous marine life.
Beach

On the south side of Cape Byron Tallows Beach (NSW 16) curves gently to the south for 6.5 km to Broken Head. This beach when viewed from the 100 m high cape is one of the most photographed in the country. It is backed by the Byron Bay Recreation Reserve in the north, then Arakwal National Park which extends to the mouth of Tallow Creek, followed by Suffolk Park township and caravan park in the centre and the Broken Head caravan park and Nature Reserve in the south (Fig. 4.17).
The beach is well exposed resulting in a higher energy double bar system, with persistent rips spaced approximately every 250 m and cutting across the inner attached bar, then a continuous longshore trough and rip-prone outer bar. Bathers should swim at the three patrolled areas at Tallows, Suffolk Park and Broken Head. The slightly sheltered Broken Head usually has the lower waves, but even here pulses of sand moving slowly around Broken Head produce a variable beach and surf zone that can at times result in a northerly skewed bar and trough.

 

Swimming

Rips dominate this potentially hazardous beach so stay between the flags in the patrolled areas. If swimming elsewhere stay on the attached inner bar and avoid the rip holes, side currents and longshore trough.

 

Surfing

Tallows down under Cape Byron is protected from summer northeasterlies and is a popular summer beach break, also called Cosy Corner. Suffolk Park has variable beach breaks, which work best in offshore winds. Broken Head in the south can produce a barrelling right-hander when the bars are right, and always worth a look when the swell is running. You can also camp right behind the beach.

 

Fishing

Cosy Corner at the north end is sheltered during northeast winds, with the beach offering many large gutters where tailor, whiting, mulloway, bream and dart are caught, while Broken Head is fished for blackfish and drummer.

 

Carpark

Type: Formal parking area
Surface: Sealed
Spaces: 40

 

If this information is inaccurate, please click on the contact us link and advise

 

SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.

Weather
Today
 
19°
wind
E/24 km/h
 
  • Thu
    20°
    14°
  • Fri
    20°
    14°
  • Sat
    21°
    14°
  • Sun
    21°
    15°
  • Mon
    20°
    14°
  • Tue
    20°
    15°
CAPE BYRON AWS (7 km) issued at 19:00 (EST)
Water
24
Issued at Thu, May 17 13:01
Swell Forecast
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
  • AM
  • PM
  • AM
  • PM
  • AM
  • SSE
    1.1 m
  • SSE
    1 m
  • SSE
    0.8 m
  • SSE
    0.8 m
  • SSE
    0.7 m
Broken Head issued at Thu, May 17 16:00 (EST)
 
Today's Tide
  • High
    5:36
    1.29m
  • Low
    11:44
    0.43m
  • High
    18:21
    1.48m
 
Yamba issued at Thu, May 17 10:00 (Local Time)
UV Index
4
 

Broken Head (Lifeguards)

Beach Name of location of organisation Broken Head

Beach Key of base location nsw016C

*Although SLSA has tried to ensure that this information is accurate, as it has been provided by surf life saving club(s) and/or other organisations, SLSA takes no responsibility for its accuracy. Please contact the entity(s) displayed directly if you need any further information. .

Broken Head (Lifeguards)

21 December to 27 January
  • Mon
  • Tues
  • Wed
  • Thurs
  • Fri
  • Sat
  • Sun/PH
  • 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:00 pm


Date: Thursday, May 17, 2012

There is no beach service this week.

Click here to visit general beach safety information

 

If this information is inaccurate, please click on the contact us link and advise

 

SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.

BROKEN HEAD Statistics July 2011 - June 2012
Rescues First Aids Preventative Actions
Beach Totals: 0 20 972
 
Breakdown of statistics by organisation
Broken Head (Lifeguards)
Rescues First Aids Preventative Actions
Total: 20 972
 
Breakdowns: 12Minor Marine Stings 331Swimmers Advised/Warned
4Minor Cuts/Abrasions 186Craft Users Advised/Warned
2Major Wounds 323Beach Users Advised/Warned
1Fractures/Dislocation 132Warning Signs Erected
1Other