Garie Beach is the main coastal access point for the Royal National Park, known for its beautiful scenery and decent surf. This spot mainly catches NorthEast swells, making it a popular choice for surfers looking to catch some waves. There's a picturesque stretch of sand that leads down to Little Garie, but be ready for a walk from the main car park to reach the water. If you’re looking for fewer crowds, you can check out North Era beach, which also features a left off the point. Further south, there’s Burning Palms, a shorter beach that can get swamped by moderate swells.

The surf here works best with NorthEast swells, handling sizes from 1ft (0.3 meters) to bigger depending on the conditions. You can expect both left and right waves breaking over sand and uneven reef. The best times to surf are during low to mid tide, but it can hold up at high tide too. The preferred wind direction is from the NorthWest, which helps to clean up the waves. Beginners can find some good manageable waves here, especially on smaller days.

When you visit, make sure to pay your day entrance fees or grab an annual membership for all NSW National Parks. There's a tent-only campground at North Era if you want to stay overnight, and you might notice plenty of nudists and cruisers hanging out in the sand hills. Just keep an eye on the rips, they can get pretty intense at times.