Southside - Sawtell

Southside – Sawtell (Banana Coast, NSW, Australia) is a popular surf spot near the seaside town of Sawtell, south of Coffs Harbour on the Mid North Coast / “Banana Coast” of New South Wales. It’s a scenic beachbreak that can offer fun, punchy waves when conditions line up, and it’s known for being a local favourite rather than a big-name destination.

Spot overview

• Type: Beachbreak
• Best for: Beginners to intermediate surfers on smaller days; more experienced surfers when it gets larger and punchier
• Wave quality: Can be fun and clean with the right sandbanks and swell direction
• Crowds: Often busy, especially on good weekends and during holidays
• Scenery: Backed by the relaxed, leafy town of Sawtell, with a classic NSW coastal vibe

Wave characteristics

Southside generally works best as a small to medium-sized beachbreak. Because it depends on sand movement, the banks can change through the season, which means the wave shape can vary: - Smaller swells: softer, more forgiving waves for learning - Moderate swells: faster, hollower sections can appear - Larger swells: can become powerful and less forgiving, with stronger rips and moving peaks

Best conditions

• Swell: Typically handles southerly to east/southeast swells well, depending on bank setup
• Wind: Light offshore or calm conditions are ideal; strong northerlies can make it messy
• Tide: Often best around mid tide, though this depends on the sandbars and swell size

Hazards

• Rips and strong currents
• Changing sandbanks
• Crowds and beginner surfers in the lineup
• Potential for dumping shorebreak on bigger days

Vibe

Sawtell has a laid-back, friendly surf-town feel, and Southside is the kind of spot where you’ll often see a mix of: - local surfers - learners - longboarders on smaller days - shortboarders hunting better peaks when the sand lines up