Surf spot

Port Kembla

Forecast conditions and map view for Port Kembla in Australia, NSW, Coal Coast. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Australia, NSW, Coal Coast
Coordinates: -34.4927, 150.9091

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)	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.7	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.6	0.6	1	1.4	1	1.2	1.3	1	1	1	1.3	1.8	1.7	1.6	1.6	1.3	1.6	1.5	1.2	0.9	0.7	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4
Wave direction	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	ENE	SSE	ENE	NE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	NE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	SSE	SE	SSE	SSE	S	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	S	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	ESE	ESE	ESE
Wave period (s)	9.8	9.7	9.8	10.8	10.7	10.1	5.3	9.8	5.8	4.5	4.8	4.8	4.8	5.5	4.3	4.6	4.5	5	5.2	5.2	5	4	4.7	6	5.5	8.4	8.6	8.8	9.2	7	6.7	6	7	7	7	7	5.8	7	6.8	7.2	6.3	8.4	5.9	6	5.9	6.3	6.5	5.8	6	6.8	6.4	6	6.2	6.3	6.2	6.1
Wave energy (kJ)	156	133	123	120	112	105	35	83	39	20	24	23	20	25	23	22	18	25	22	18	13	11	15	79	115	136	220	254	174	94	97	128	322	277	257	264	112	248	194	144	65	61	54	50	45	53	48	32	29	31	31	20	20	15	12	10
Wind speed (km/h)	6.3	5.6	4.9	7.2	15	13.5	4.4	3.9	6.4	6.8	5.9	3.1	12.2	6.3	7.2	7.4	9.2	10.1	7.4	3.8	19.3	14.8	16.3	13.1	10.1	8.3	9.2	18.5	20.2	19.1	16.7	16.5	12.7	12	11.7	14.4	14.6	13.5	5.6	7.2	6.8	5.8	4	7	14.1	11.8	4.5	7.7	5.6	5	4.8	5.7	8.6	9.5	5.5	7.8
Wind direction	WNWCross-off	NWCross-off	NWGlassy	NECross-off	ECross	ENECross-off	NWGlassy	NWGlassy	WNWCross-off	WNWCross-off	NWCross-off	NEGlassy	ENECross-off	NNECross-off	WCross	WNWCross-off	WCross	WNWCross-off	WNWCross	SSEGlassy	ESECross	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SSWOnshore	WSWCross-on	WSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SSWOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SSWOnshore	SSWOnshore	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SSWOnshore	SSEOnshore	SECross-on	WSWCross-on	WNWCross-off	WNWCross-off	WNWCross-off	WNWGlassy	ESECross	ECross	ENECross-off	WNWGlassy	NWCross-off	NWCross-off	WNWCross-off	WNWGlassy	SSWOnshore	ECross	ECross	WCross	WNWCross-off

Port Kembla (Coal Coast, NSW) is a rugged South Coast surf destination known more for its raw power and industrial backdrop than for easy, mellow waves. It sits just south of Wollongong and is exposed to a wide range of Southern Ocean swell, which can produce fast, heavy, and occasionally hollow beachbreaks and, depending on conditions, some quality peaks around the area.

What it’s like

Wave type: Mostly beachbreak, with shifting sandbanks and occasional reef/point influence nearby
Wave quality: Can be very good when the banks line up, especially with a solid south or southeast swell
Wave character: Often powerful, punchy, and fickle; can get close out or highly sectiony if the sand isn’t right
Best for: Intermediate to advanced surfers, especially those comfortable in stronger currents and bigger south swell

Best conditions

Swell: South to southeast swell
Wind: Light offshore or light westerly/northwesterly winds
Tide: Often best around mid tide, though this can vary with the sand
Size: Handles energy well; comes alive when there’s enough swell to activate the banks

Hazards / things to know

Strong rips and currents can be common
Heavy surf on bigger days
Industrial port environment nearby, so conditions can feel less pristine than other NSW breaks
Crowds are usually lighter than more famous nearby spots, but the best banks can still draw locals

Vibe

Port Kembla has a gritty, working-coast feel rather than a postcard surf vibe. If you like uncrowded, solid south-coast beachbreaks with some punch and a bit of edge, it can be a rewarding spot when conditions line up.