Surf spot

Crackneck

Forecast conditions and map view for Crackneck in Australia, NSW, Central. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Australia, NSW, Central
Coordinates: -33.3941, 151.4833

Metric
Metric	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00
Wave height (m)	1.7	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.7	1.8	1.7	1.6	1.5	1.4	1.3	1.3	1.2	1.2	1.1	1.1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	1.1	1	1	0.9	0.8	0.7	0.6	0.5	0.4	1.1	1.9	1.8	1.2	1	0.8	0.8	1.3	1.2	1.6	2.7	2.7	2.4	2.4	2.5	2.2	2	1.9	1.8	1.6	1.5	1.4	1.3	1.2
Wave direction	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	SSE	S	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SE	S	S	S
Wave period (s)	9.2	9.3	9.4	9.6	9.8	10	10.1	10.2	10.1	10	10.1	10.1	10.2	10.3	10.4	8.9	8.8	8	8.7	8.6	8.7	9.9	8.6	4.7	4.5	4.8	4.8	4.8	4.7	4.7	4.7	4.8	7.8	7.2	7.7	8.2	10.4	10.9	9.9	10.1	10.9	10.3	8.7	8.3	8.4	8.1	7.4	7.2	7.2	7	6.8	6.7	6.8	8	8	8
Wave energy (kJ)	461	448	441	472	555	620	570	519	455	392	363	345	317	286	262	178	161	121	127	113	101	113	89	52	45	42	36	27	19	15	10	7	138	361	396	187	208	137	120	334	369	530	1059	987	826	743	663	511	426	374	311	241	200	255	223	197
Wind speed (km/h)	5.4	5.8	4.9	6.4	15	15.3	15.3	8.3	4.3	4.7	4	9.4	17.9	16.9	19.5	7.3	4.1	4.3	5	8	6.4	9.3	8.1	8.4	6.2	5.9	5.5	10.6	17.1	15.3	13	23.1	25.7	21.9	21.4	22.9	28.4	28.1	27.9	26.3	25.3	22.9	14	12.4	10.9	14.8	6.5	5.8	6.6	6.6	5.1	5.1	9.8	13.1	6.5	2.9
Wind direction	WOffshore	WOffshore	WNWGlassy	ENECross-on	ENECross-on	NECross-on	NECross	NCross-off	NNWGlassy	NNWGlassy	NNWGlassy	NECross	ENECross-on	NECross-on	NECross	NCross-off	NWGlassy	NWGlassy	NNWCross-off	NNECross-off	ENECross-on	SEOnshore	NNECross	NNECross	NNWCross-off	WOffshore	WCross-off	SSWCross-on	SSECross-on	SSEOnshore	SCross-on	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross	SWCross	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SCross-on	SCross-on	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	SWCross	WSWCross-off	SWCross	SCross-on	SCross-on	WSWCross-off	WOffshore	WNWOffshore	NWOffshore	NCross-off	ENECross-on	ENECross-on	NECross	WGlassy

Crackneck is a well-known surf break on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, near Bateau Bay / Wamberal / Shelly Beach area. It sits below the dramatic Crackneck lookout/cliffs, which gives the spot its name and a scenic, rugged backdrop.

General surf description

Wave type: Mostly a beachbreak / point-like beachbreak setup depending on sand movement and conditions.
Best on: Usually handles a range of swell directions, but it tends to light up when there’s a solid swell from the south or southeast combined with offshore or light northwest winds.
Wave quality: Can be fast, hollow, and punchy on the right sandbanks; otherwise it can be more rippy and inconsistent.
Skill level: Often best suited to intermediate to advanced surfers, especially when it’s bigger or more powerful.
Crowds: Can get busy, particularly when conditions are good, as it’s a popular local surf zone.

Conditions and character

Exposure: Fairly exposed to ocean swell, so it can pick up surf quickly.
Wind sensitivity: Offshore winds greatly improve shape; onshore winds can make it messy.
Hazards: Strong currents, shifting sandbars, and occasional shorebreaky sections can make it challenging.

Vibe / setting

Crackneck is known as much for its scenic coastal headland and lookout as for the surf. The area has a rugged, natural feel, with views across the coastline and a classic NSW surf-coast atmosphere.