Fingal Head is a surf spot located near the southern breakwall of the Tweed River. It’s a popular choice for locals and visitors looking for a less crowded wave compared to some of the more famous spots in the area. The environment has its own vibe, especially when the conditions are just right, which isn’t all that often. The paddle out to Cook Island can be long, so be prepared for that.

The waves at Fingal Head work best with a NorthEast swell, but SouthEast swells can also create decent surf. You can expect the surf to handle sizes starting from 2ft (around 0.6 meters) and going up to about 10ft (3 meters) faces on bigger days. The surf breaks over a mix of boulders, which can create some interesting wave shapes. When it’s smaller, you’ll find rolling walls and shoulders perfect for riding, but as it picks up in size, it can get hollow, particularly when it hits headhigh. This spot is great for intermediate surfers, and the preferred wind is from the SouthWest. Fingal Head can work at low, mid, and high tides, making it fairly versatile.

Offshore, you have Cook Island, which is known for some slab reef action that keeps the local bodyboarders quite happy. Just keep in mind that the local vibe can change depending on the surf conditions, and when it’s good, it can feel like a nice little community. Just remember the long paddle can feel a bit sketchy due to shark activity, so stay alert out there.