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

Avoca, Avoca Beach

Nsw 2251
UNPATROLLED BEACH TODAY

Beach number: nsw287B
State/Region: NSW - Avoca Beach
Beach name: AVOCA
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

Avoca Beach (NSW 287) is a popular holiday destination for Sydneysiders as well as Central Coast locals. It became accessible to the public in 1908 when the first bridge was built across Avoca Lake and the Avoca Guest House constructed at what was then called Moore's Beach. The 1.7 km long beach lies between two prominent 60 m high sandstone headlands and faces the east-southeast exposing it to waves averaging 1.5 m. Avoca Lake backs the centre of the beach and opens during floods (Fig. 4.172 & 4.173).

North Avoca (NSW 287a) is primarily a residential area developed since the 1950s. The North Avoca Beach SLSC was established in 1957 and is located toward the northern end of the beach, with its car park providing the best beach access. The southern Avoca (NSW 287b) settlement has all the usual holiday facilities. Hard against the southern headland is the Avoca Beach SLSC, founded in 1929, and shady Hunter Park, with a shallow rock pool in front of the clubhouse. A well-developed rock platform runs round in front of the southern headland, which is popular for rock fishers and walkers. However watch for waves which break over the rocks and into some deep gullies round the corner.

The beach receives higher waves towards the north and centre where the bar is often detached and usually cut by several rips, including a permanent rip against the northern headland. North Avoca surf club rescues 31 people on average each year at this end. At Avoca slight protection by the southern headland lowers waves in the southern corner to form a continuous, attached bar. However rips are frequent and a permanent rip runs out against the southern rocks. These rips and Avoca's popularity result in an average of 110 rescues at year, the highest outside of Sydney. The Avoca surf club was in fact founded following the tragic drowning of two young girls in December 1928. In addition to the patrolled areas either end of the beach, the council lifeguards man a beach tower on the south side of the lake entrance.

 

Swimming

A popular, but potentially hazardous beach, with over 130 rescues each year. Definitely swim between the flags, and watch for rip holes and currents. Avoid the centre, particularly when the lake is open.

 

Surfing

Avoca is well known for the southern Avoca Point break a short but good right that holds east and southeast swell up to 3 m. Also good beach breaks up the beach, the first being a left running into the southern headland rip.

 

Fishing

North Avoca offers readily accessible but limited area for rock fishing as well as persistent gutters on the beach. The centre is best when the lake is open. The southern rocks offer more space and some deep gullies.

 

Carpark

Type: Formal parking area
Surface: Sealed
Spaces: 100

 

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
 
11°
wind
NNW/
 
  • Thu
    20°
  • Fri
    21°
  • Sat
    20°
  • Sun
    19°
  • Mon
    20°
  • Tue
    19°
GOSFORD (13 km) issued at 18:30 (EST)
Water
21
Issued at Thu, May 17 13:01
Swell Forecast
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
  • AM
  • PM
  • AM
  • PM
  • AM
  • SSE
    1.4 m
  • SSE
    1.1 m
  • SSE
    1 m
  • SSE
    0.7 m
  • SE
    0.5 m
1 km from Avoca Beach issued at Thu, May 17 16:00 (EST)
 
Today's Tide
  • High
    5:40
    1.31m
  • Low
    11:39
    0.49m
  • High
    18:11
    1.55m
 
Port Kembla issued at Thu, May 17 10:00 (Local Time)
UV Index
3
 

Avoca Beach SLSC

Organisation Colours Green blue and yellow

Club Cap Description Green with Yellow and Blue Stripes

Physical Address 10 Vine Street, Avoca Beach, NSW, 2251

Postal Address PO Box 22, Avoca Beach, NSW, 2251

Phone 02 4382 1514

Organisation Fax 02 4382 4250

Email office@avocabeachslsc.asn.au

Website www.avocabeachslsc.asn.au

Beach Name of location of organisation Avoca Beach

Beach Key of base location nsw287B

Description of Service Provider On 6 January 1929 7 days after a tragic double drowning at Avoca Beach the community got together and the foundation club for Avoca Beach Surf Life Saving Club was formed. Four months later the club had 12 Foundation Bronze Holders- even though the Club still did not have its own reel! In 1930 the Club gained its first surfboat and a further 6 Bronze Medallion holders. In 1946 the Ladies Auxillary was formed and they continue to this day to work tirelessly for the Club. Nippers commenced in 1965. In August 2006 the new Clubhouse following extensive renovations and construction was reopened with two spectacular Balls to celebrate the 75 year history of the Club.


 
 

Gosford City Council Lifeguard Service

Postal Address PO Box 21, Gosford, NSW, 2250

Phone 0243258222

Beach Key of base location nsw287

*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. .

Avoca Beach SLSC

04 February to 25 April
  • Sat
  • Sun/PH
  • 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:00 pm


24 September to 18 December
  • Sat
  • Sun/PH
  • 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • 9:00 am to 5:00 pm


24 December to 29 January
  • Sat
  • Sun/PH
  • 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
  • 8:00 am to 7:00 pm



Service Area Description
In the case of inclement weather and under the approval of the Duty Officer and Director of LIfesaving, patrols can cease at 6pm during 18/12/10 - 30/01/11


Gosford City Council Lifeguard Service

30 January to 05 April
  • Mon
  • Tues
  • Wed
  • Thurs
  • Fri
  • 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • 9:00 am to 6:00 pm


10 April to 24 April
  • Mon
  • Tues
  • Wed
  • Thurs
  • Fri
  • 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


26 September to 07 October
  • Mon
  • Tues
  • Wed
  • Thurs
  • Fri
  • 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


10 October to 20 December
  • Mon
  • Tues
  • Wed
  • Thurs
  • Fri
  • 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • 9:00 am to 6:00 pm


21 December to 27 January
  • Mon
  • Tues
  • Wed
  • Thurs
  • Fri
  • 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
  • 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
  • 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
  • 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
  • 7:00 am to 7:00 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.

AVOCA Statistics July 2011 - June 2012
Rescues First Aids Preventative Actions
Beach Totals: 365 97 3669
 
Breakdown of statistics by organisation
Avoca Beach SLSC
Rescues First Aids Preventative Actions
Total: 365 97 3669
 
Breakdowns: 262No Gear 26Minor Marine Stings 2Shark Alarm
5Rescue Tube 54Minor Cuts/Abrasions 2Searches
49Rescue Board 8Major Wounds 3Lost Children
42IRB 1Fractures/Dislocation 3662Preventions
7RWVC 8Other