Curl Curl Surf Guide: North Curl Curl, South Curl Curl and the Lagoon

Curl Curl is the open stretch of beach between Freshwater and Dee Why, split into South Curl Curl near the lagoon and North Curl Curl under the headland. It's more exposed than Freshwater, so it picks up more swell and handles more size.

South Curl Curl is the busier end, with peaks set up by the lagoon outflow and the sand. North Curl Curl, tucked under the headland, gets some protection from south swell and south-east wind and can be cleaner when it's blowing.

Swell and wind

The beach works on swell from the south round to the east. West and north-west winds blow offshore. Like most of the Northern Beaches, mornings are cleanest before the north-east sea breeze fills in on summer afternoons.

Worth knowing

• The lagoon can open after heavy rain, changing the banks and the water quality. Check NSW Beachwatch after storms.
• There are ocean rock pools at both ends, handy for a rinse.
• On big swells, rips run hard along the beach.

We don't text on a forecast. We text when the live readings for Curl Curl (swell size, period, direction, wind and tide) all fall inside the window that particular break needs, and only in daylight.

Want to see what real alerts look like? Our firing board shows the spots that have actually turned on recently, with the swell and wind at the time.

Related reading: Freshwater Surf Guide and Rip Currents Explained.

Closest spot guides

• Freshwater, just around the corner
• Dee Why, about 2 km away
• Manly, about 3 km away
• North Narrabeen and Collaroy, about 7 km away

Or browse every break we cover in our Australian surf spot guides by region.