Catch a break at the best Central Coast surfing spots

This complete guide to surfing on the Central Coast gives you a tour of what makes this surfing destination great. Discover top surfing spots, where to get the best java, where to refuel, surf shacks to stay, and laid-back places to eat and drink with an aloha welcoming vibe. And who else to share their favourite point break other than Central Coast Brand Ambassador and Avoca Beach local surfing pro - Adrian 'Ace' Buchan.

Listen to what Avoca local and professional surfer Ace Buchan says about surfing on the Central Coast.

Avoca Beach is arguably the most popular and well-known surf break on the Central Coast with good reason, offering a variety of surfing conditions. Boasting a perfect point break and multiple beach break options to choose from this beach offers plenty of opportunity to enhance your surfing ability.

Start your day at charming local cafe Like Minds. Minutes from the beach, you can’t miss the bright yellow, floral mural signalling Like Minds, Avoca's friendly community café. With its fresh, sustainable menu and zero waste ethos, soak up the good vibes at this great little spot complete with a gorgeous outdoor herb garden where you may find Ace Buchan and other locals scrolling the morning's surf reports. Must-try is the Surfer Toast.

Stay at the Boardwalk on the beachfront house at North Avoca or book a room with partner of the Central Coast Pro QS 3000 events Avoca Beach Hotel. 

Located in the heart of beautiful North Avoca, The Boy and the Rose serves locally roasted coffee with a delicious cafe menu to match.

If the waves are pumping and you don’t want to leave the beach you can park yourself at The Point Café situated right on the point, you literally can't get any closer to the beach while in cafe comfort. For specialty coffee visit Social Junction in Avoca's town centre run by two passionate coffee gurus and serving up brunch classics.

If baked goods on the go are more what you’re looking for to tide you over? Head to Ludo’s Gourmet Patisserie, they don’t mind sandy feet and have loads of gluten free options.

A little further from the sand but with big aloha welcomings are two tropical treats on the outskirts of Avoca Beach. An eclectic surf shack inspired by mid-century Hawaii is Shady Palms. Pick a spot in the lush garden by the oyster and Champagne 'shack', by the outdoor undercover woodfire pizza oven, or in the cottage for a more classic dining experience. Enjoy a menu of seafood, poke bowls, yakitori and woodfired pizzas in a laid-back setting with a terrace bar and leafy outdoor area. You may even catch live music on weekends. 

Set high in the leafy hillside overlooking Saltwater creek is the relaxed Saltwater Bar & Bistro. With a seafood inspired menu accompanied by beach styled décor and a spacious outdoor deck for al fresco dining, this is the in-house restaurant of Avoca Beach Hotel so super convenient if you choose to stay here.

The cuisine available in the town centre of Avoca is colourful for its size, offering Italian, Malaysian, Chinese and – of course – award-winning Aussie fish and chips at Avoca Beach Seafoods (with gluten-free batter options). Right on the beach you will also find the sustainable menu and million dollar views of Avoca Surf House. 

Protected from the area’s northeasterly winds this surfing spot offers a world-class point break for advanced surfers while also providing the perfect location to challenge your surfing skills and grow as a surfer.

The Bees Knees Eatery is located across the road from the stunning shores of Copacabana Beach, framed by Norfolk Pine and near a local skate park option for when there's no surf. It's a coastal cafe stocking java and scoop ice creams all year around with friendly service that you’ll love a latte!

As the weather cools, the food heats up with delicious toasted sandwiches and jaffles, as well as soup and sourdough to keep you warm beach side.

Copa’s surf club restaurant Artie’s place is famous for their burgers and you won’t need to leave the beach. Dine at Ocean bar-cantina or Lady Copa Pizzeria.  

Former professional surfer and owner of Central Coast Surf Academy, Amee Donohoe shared in her local guide she regularly visits Burnt Honey for their incredible pastries, and Lady Copa Pizzeria because their pizzas are authentic, they carry a great wine selection from local boutique wine store Upstairs Wines, and the service is friendly and family-focused.

Old School Luxury Beach House has been beautifully restored as a luxury, designer beach retreat. The Old School Luxury Beach House is a much loved property ideal for shared family holidays, providing total privacy with clifftop ocean views.

Terrigal Beach is a great learn to surf beach with a protected bay so swell size is kept to a minimum which is ideal for small children, hesitant surfers, and anyone starting their surfing journey.

There's nothing better than sipping on something cool while you watch the sky change colours. These are the kinds of places where you can drop in for a beer post-surf and find yourself still in hours later carving up the dance floor.

Perch yourself anywhere in the vibrant spaces on offer at Terrigal Beach House. It's a laid back lunch menu by day, late-night bar after sunset with share plates and sundowner cocktails. All you have to do is settle in and decide what to drink.

Mumbo Jumbos is a Caribbean inspired rooftop bar and restaurant with panoramic views of Terrigal Beach backed by soothing reggae beats. 

Get your surfing mojo back with some retail therapy at this shopping mecca for surfers. Treat yourself to a new wetty, boardies, or why not take a new board home? Even if it's just a cake of wax you need, Ocean Haus has it all. Your local, a place where you are as much a part of the store as the people that run it. From novice to expert, they offer the service, knowledge, guidance along with great coffee for you to enjoy your life in the ocean!  

A beautiful and centrally located beach where your dog can look after your gear, and surrounded by bustling cafes and restaurants to enjoy before or after your surf. With a thriving boardriders club, Shelly Beach has generated world-class surfers amongst the line up including Jack Ragen and Macy Callaghan. This beach is a sought-after location to develop your surfing skills or to grab a board and learn to surf. 

For something more off the beaten track explore Bouddi National Park with good breaks between Macmasters Beach and Box Head. Surfers make the long walk from the car park to surf one of the least crowded beach breaks in the region. Tallow Beach is known for perfect long waves, and the wave at Box Head can go forever if the various sections link up. Extremely dependent on the quality of the sandbar, the break's also very tidal so in big south swells you'll need to be super fit to handle long paddles against strong currents. 

Nestled within the Bouddi National Park and overlooking the sparkling waters of Broken Bay, Pretty Beach House is an intimate and exclusive luxury lodge, with only 4 romantic pavilions.

Forresters Beach faces south east and boasts some of the most impressive reef breaks in Australia. The main central reef is about 600 metres offshore. Locally known as 'Forries' and friendly to doggos with off-leash areas for a salty fetch. 

Check out our Forresters Beach special neighbourhood guide to get to know more about where to stay, eat and drink here. 

Just South of the historic Norah Head lighthouse is iconic Soldiers Beach, a locals favourite surfing spot.

The headland's car park is a great place to park with a birds eye view from your car to check the surf while eating a pie from your drivers seat. There is also plenty of space to hangout for a coffee and watch the amazing surfing taking place, and see if the point is working. 

There are three main areas to this beach, the point, the north end of the beach near the clubhouse, and the bay, near the south end. Beginners and experienced surfers can have fun here depending on the day, generally it is a fairly fun and safe spot, and for visitors one of the most consistent areas North of the Central Coast.