Overview
Flat Rock Ballina is a basalt reef and point that only comes to life with a healthy covering of sand, pushed in by the summer northeast winds. Without that sand it isn't much. It breaks over a rock ledge and sand as a right-hander. The left here, known as Backsides, sits on the Angels Beach side, running shorter and sharper over cunji-covered reef, and it's the pick for bodyboarders. When bigger south swells arrive, there are some decent beachies up towards Sharpes and maybe round the corner at Boulders.
When It Works
Straight east-southeast swells wall up steady right-handers that suit intermediates, though the same crew tends to struggle around the corner at Lennox. The spot draws swell from northeast through east-southeast to south (NE-ESE-S), with southeast (SE) the best match. It's usable from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 3.7 m / 12 ft and stays moderately consistent.
Wind and Tide
Look for a west (W) offshore wind. It works on low and mid tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is an intermediate-friendly wall when the sand is in, and you can expect a moderately busy lineup when it's on. The bigger thing to know is how sharky this stretch is. There were shark rammings back in 2015, fishermen regularly mention bull sharks and leaping makos, and great whites were responsible for the last fatality 2 km to the south.
Access
There's a good campground just behind the point on this undeveloped stretch of coast, plus a car park with both free and paid parking.
