Overview
Shoal Bay is a run of west-facing beaches tucked below Tomaree National Park, and they can serve up some fun peaks when the surf turns on. Zenith is the easiest of them to reach, while Box Beach is a bodyboard favourite, jacking up massive side and backwash off the cliffs into wedging left pits. Furthest south, Fingal Spit often washes away, but when the sand is there it peels clean and long to the right on east swells and south winds. Be aware that currents run strong through here, and this is a passing route for sharks heading into Port Stephens, a waterway larger than Sydney Harbour.
When It Works
The beaches break over sand and draw swell from northeast through southeast, with northeast (NE) the pick of the directions. Both lefts and rights peel off the banks, and the setup works from 0.3 m / 1 ft to 3.7 m / 12 ft. Consistency is moderate, so you won't score every day, but the good windows are worth waiting for.
Wind and Tide
Look for west (W) offshore wind to clean things up. It surfs across low, mid, and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
The waves here are friendly enough for beginners, and you can expect a moderately busy lineup when it's on.
Access
There's a car park with free parking, along with roadside parking nearby.
