Surfing at Cronulla Beach

The epitome of Australian beach life, Cronulla plays host to a loyal tribe of surfers and swimmers taking to the waves, while kiddies stick to the shallows and sandy shores.

When it comes to surfing, Cronulla Beach – the birthplace of modern surfing – has an excellent range of surfing breaks catering from beginner to expert.

Cronulla Beach stretches several kilometres from the centre of town to Voodoo Reef Break. The Southern end has a wide selection of reef breaks such as the world famous Cronulla Point and Shark Island.

If you want to brush up on your skills, or learn a whole new skill altogether, there are several local surf school companies, such as Cronulla Surf School, ready to provide some expert tips. For more information visit  www.cronullasurf.com.au

The water temperatures are rarely below 14 degrees centigrade, even in the middle of winter, so surfing in a wetsuit is still comfortable.

In the summer of course, everyone enjoys the casual Sydney surf beach lifestyle clad in as little as possible.

Key surfing spots in the area include:

• Voodoo – comprises predominately of a left hand reef break of world class standard that can hold massive south swells.
• The Alley- is the main beach break in the area at North Cronulla beach and the natural rip that occurs at the southern end of the beach makes for consistent sand banks and quality beach break waves. It can get really busy out here so be prepared for a bit of hassling.
• Cronulla Point- was the birthplace of modern surfing in Cronulla now 50 years ago. The point is one of the only waves in the area that is protected from southerly winds which is a real bonus throughout winter but can get really crowded.
• Shark Island – draws the world’s elite body boarders each year for the Human Shark Island Challenge. We don’t recommend you paddle out here unless you are an advanced surfer. Instead, watch the locals take it on from the safety of the esplanade. For the record: the Island breaks best on a high tide with a south swell.
• Sandshoes- a little jewel on our southern peninsula providing surfers with a short sharp right hander. Named by the surf pioneers of the 1960s who, in the days before leg-ropes, wore sandshoes when they surfed because the place is ripe with sea urchins.

Ask our friendly front office staff for local tips on the waves!