Surf Forecast  The Pass (Byron Bay)

The Pass (Byron Bay) surfspot characteristics

More about The Pass (Byron Bay) surfspot

The Pass is the marquee break for Byron, welcoming all E swells into a balmy, pandanus-lined bay, transforming them into orderly righthanders that march in parallel lines to the sand. The outer take-off sucks strongly from the rocky outcrop and races through a fast vert section into the next entry point where crowds throng, waiting for a wider one or someone to fall. This starts an extremely long ride up to 500m as righthanders trundle down the sandy point towards Clarks Beach, perfect for longboarding or practising trim and cutbacks. Best on E-NE swells when the walls will be more extensive, but it can still break on big S-SE pulses with enough wrap, although the walls break up more and often fizzle-out. It is fairly protected from winds out of the ESE all the way round to SW and mid tide is the pick.

Crowds are legion to the point of madness and all the locals descend on the quality days. The sweep down the point is shoulder-smashing and most people walk back to pick a moment to launch either behind or through the pass in the rocks. The Pass is suitable for beginners/improvers on mellow days, but they almost certainly catch more waves at Wategoes. Drop-ins, hassling, shouting and general chaos are better left to the more adept. The Pass is also well-known for dolphin pods adding to the crowd and dropping in on anyone.