Lennox Head surfing can’t be ignored on a NSW jaunt. Now enshrined as a National Surfing Reserve in Australia, the small town has an epic right-hand point that’s a gift for rippers, along with a few lovely right points and beach breaks to the south. It’s also not too far from the legendary setups of Byron Bay.
An introduction to Lennox Head surfing
Lennox Head is often talked about as an extension of the surf scene of Byron Bay, but that’s just not right. This Northern Rivers gem has a quality that outstrips that of its hipster bro to the north when it comes to performance riding, to the point where it’s a true jack of all trades wave that can be just as good for loggers on small days as it is for the rippers on bigger ones. It’s not for nothing that this one’s been named among Australia’s National Surfing Reserves and continues to draw some of the best NSW pros out there, Torren Martyn of Lost Track fame among them.
It’s no secret what the main act is in these parts: Lennox Head itself. A classic Aussie right point that peels off a cobblestone headland and into a sandy beach, it’s powered by consistent SE swells out of the 40s in winter. Nearby Skennars and Boulder can add neat beachy A-frames and drag some of the lineup off the main point at Lennox, and you can also cruise north to hit the always-popular Pass in Byron if you like – the drive is 25 minutes no more.
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Lennox Head surfing at a glance
The good…
The bad…
What’s in this guide to Lennox Head surfing?
Where is Lennox Head?
Lennox Head is a small coastal town something like 10 miles south of Byron Bay. It’s in New South Wales, a part of the Northern Rivers region, about 55 miles south of Gold Coast. The nearest airport is the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, which actually closer to Lennox than to Byron itself – you’re looking at about 15 minutes in the car after touchdown until you’re on the beaches and the surf breaks. Easy.
Lennox Head surf spots
The main place to surf in Lennox Head is Lennox Head – a right point that works a charm in SE swells. There are some other places to know about too, along with famed Byron to the north. Let’s take a closer look…
Lennox Head
The Lennox Head right point is the jewel in the crown of the beaches south of Byron Bay. It’s got bags of quality and many say it rivals anything either the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast can muster when those SE-S winter pulses are pushing through. The best conditions of all are a medium-strong, big period groundswell in the SE channel with about 5+ foot on it, though Lennox will start working on anything around 2-3 foot. Winds from the NW channel are offshore. There’s almost always a crowd but, being a tourist wave as much as a local hangout, it’s never that bad a vibe in the water.
The reward for sitting in the waiting room at the take-off point might just be one of the longest right-hand shoulders you’ve ever surfed. It’s a bit sectiony, with some down the line parts but mainly highly rippable walls that offer ample air potential.
You can either opt for a long paddle out around from the reef on the inside section or walk through the spiny coast vegetation from the carpark on top of the Pat Morton Lookout and jump off the rocks – careful, they’re always wet and slippery.
Lennox Reef
The reef is essentially the end section of the main Lennox Head surf break but it’s also separate because it takes heavy SE swells to get the two to properly link up. It’s where the rocks spill out to create a shelf in front of the beach. You need a full tide to get it working, otherwise it’s too shallow. On good days, this is a nice A-frame with good lefts but better rights, rarely attracting the same big crowds as the point to the south.
Skennars Beach
Skennars Beach is the first spot on the south side of the Lennox Headland that’s totally exposed to all the SE swells. It gives A-frame waves that aren’t tempered at all, only by NW offshores if you’re lucky. In that sense, it resembles a big French beach break more than a cruisy NSW point but hey that’s the fun. You should be okay with dealing with stronger rips and steeper drop ins if you want to surf here. It’s intermediates+.
Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach is like Lennox Point but with a bit more attitude. Another NSW right point, it forms up on a wave-bashed finger of stone known as the Iron Peg, giving hollowish rights that’s move from a steep outside section into something a bit more forgiving on the inside. There’s lots of stone underfoot here, a shifty take-off, and difficult access, which is why it’s usually reserved for more advanced surfers.
Flat Rock
Five minutes’ walk from the Flat Rock Tent Park at the south end of Sharpes Beach, Flat Rock is a sort of mini Noosa, offering curly, bowly rights that bend around a big rock that gives great shelter from SE groundswells. The sets are forced to wrap around almost 90 degrees here, taking a bit of punch and size out of everything. That makes Flatties a top choice when Lennox Head itself is too big, and one of the region’s best beginner waves. Expect to find a good following of nose riders here.
Byron Bay
It’s only 20 minutes or so in the car up the coast road from Lennox Head to goof old Byron. The home of The Pass and a series of other seriously good quality A-frames and rights, this might be everyone’s favorite Aussie surf town to hate on but there’s no doubting the prowess of the rides. We’d say everyone should surf it at least once if you’re serious about seeing what NSW is all about.
We have a complete guide to surfing in Byron Bay right here
Where to stay when surfing in Lennox Head?
Just 7,400 people live and work in lovely Lennox Head. That should give you a clue as to the vibe of the NSW surf town – it’s chilled, it’s easy going, and it’s a world away from the hubbub and showy attitude of Byron (which some people love and others love to hate). With the rights that hit the heads here rivalling any in Oz, we think a stay in Lennox Head itself is a great choice for any intermediate and up surfer who wants fantastic breaks without the hassle of a popular resort.
One of the great joys of choosing this over Byron is that you can get a place to stay real close to the waves without breaking the bank. Here are a few of the top standouts for surfers in the region:
Tree House
The Tree House is one of those Aussie beach stays that you’ll fall in love with in seconds. It’s an all-new pad tucked between the palms and ferns a few minute’s from the main point. There are doubles and twins with bunks, so it’s great for a whole surf group or a family.
Lennox Holiday Apartments
Lennox Holiday Apartments are super central, putting you on the main beach just a stone’s throw from the reef break, five mins drive from the point, and 20 minutes from Byron. They are very comfy pads with frills like modern lounges and flat-screen TVs, along with outdoor dining spaces.
Moana Retreat
Moana Retreat is just about as close as you can get to the seafront – cross the road and you’re on the beach. The reef break is there and you’re within walk of the point too. It’s comfy and spacious and shouldn’t break the bank like some of the town’s other luxury options.
Step-by-step guide to planning your [yoast_kw] trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the [yoast_kw]…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step four: Enjoy!
When to surf in Lennox Head?
Lennox Head loves S-SE groundswells. That means the best time to surf the town’s main point break is surely the winter, when regular pulses in that direction will be marching straight up through the Tasman Sea from the roaring 40s, sometimes combining with those dominant winter NW winds (offshore). Summer E and NE storm swells can also work well, but it will generally be smaller and busier in the water between December and March.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
