Beach Number:

nsw394

Includes Beaches:

Surf

State/Region:

NSW - Kiama

Post Code:

2533

General Beach Hazard Rating:

6/10 (Moderately hazardous)

Beach

Surf Beach (NSW 394) is the main surfing beach for Kiama, and is located just beside the old highway. The embayed beach is just 270 m long, faces east and is bounded by the prominent 15 m high basalt headlands of Church and Kendalls points. Kiama Oval sits on Church Point, a park surrounds the back of the beach with the Kiama SLSC in the centre. This has long been a popular beach with the surf club forming in 1908 when people from Sydney used to come down by train to see the Blow Hole and swim in the surf. The first dressing sheds, for the ladies, were built in 1911. While this is a convenient beach it is also potentially hazardous, being exposed to most swell and with waves averaging 1-1.5 m. Within the confines of the small beach the waves generate two permanent rips against the rocks at each end, and occasionally a central rip (Fig. 4.320). In addition, rocks are often exposed on the beach in front of the Surf Club, and a channelised creek drains across the southern end. Fortunately the bar between the rips is usually attached to the beach.

Swimming

Surf Beach is the most hazardous with permanent rips, while Kendalls and East offer usually quieter conditions free of rips. All three are patrolled, so stay between the flags.

Surfing

Surf Beach offers the only regular surf, which is best under low to moderate waves, with big waves closing out across the bay. During moderate east to northeast swell a left called The Wedge runs along the rocks on the south side of Blow Hole Point.

Fishing

There are always gutters of Surf Beach and abundant rocks around the foreshore. However beware as the rocks are steep and wash washed.