Water is crystal clear. The ocean side is best during summer when NE seabreezes prevail. Waves are usually between 1-4 feet and sucky, a few rocks near the water's edge in places, of no real consequence.
Palm Beach is a peninsula about 500m wide bound on the far N side by Barrenjoey headland and lighthouse. Beautiful pristine golden sand beach, probably as beautiful as sand gets. There is ample parking nearby and adjacent grass rigging spot. Beach is approxiamtely 50-100m wide and there is ample room to launch, although on crowded summer days care needs to be taken as the beach can get a little crowded with bathers. Be careful of travelling too far downwind in summer when a bathing area defined by yellow and red flags is in effect, this is strictly a `no go` area. Tides.
In summer water is 20-22°C and air 22-28°C. In winter water is 17-18°C and air 12-18°C. 3/2 steamer is necessary in winter and sun protection in summer. Summer season goes from late October to late March. Winter season from June to late September.
In summer expect 2-5 days of riding and 1-2 days in winter. In summer wind is 11-20 knots in winter 15-40 knots. In summer usual direction is NE followed by S. NE is best. In winter usual direction is S-NW, SSW is best. Possible to also ride here in S or SE winds also, but there are better spots south of there. Winds become gusty when N or NNE or S or SSW and riding is not generally advised. Sidehsore NNE and SSW.
Best is by car from the airport, head to the Northern Beaches of Sydney, get onto Pittwater road and then Barrenjoey road. Take Barrenjoey Road to the very end and then head for the beach below the lighthouse.
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