The Pass
Byron Bay, Australia · Point break
Local time — · Sunrise 05:46 · Sunset 19:16
Reading the ocean.
SWELLRADAR is requesting a verified marine run for The Pass.
Spot intelligence.
The Pass wraps swell around Cape Byron into a long right. Shelter changes the wave reaching the beach, so the offshore height is not the size of the breaking surf. Learners need a suitable small section and local instruction; the busy point and sweep are not automatically beginner-safe.
Profile source · Surf Life Saving Australia · The PassProfile sources & limits
Reviewed 18 Oct 2026 · not observation-validated
Published sources reviewed by SWELLRADAR, not validation against measured breaking waves. Swell and wind axes are qualitative ranking inputs, not surveyed shoreline bearings. Existing offshore-model height bands are retained, including inherited generic bands; they are not measured local surf limits or wave-face conversions. Offshore request points are not takeoffs. No preferred tide motion is inferred, and all-tides guidance gives no phase bonus or preferred window. Check the actual banks, currents and your ability locally. The ENE swell preference and SE wind are independent guide inputs, not an opposite-axis assumption. Surf Life Saving Australia describes headland refraction, mobile sandbars, longshore drift and boat access. The broad ability grade and unchanged height band do not certify safe entry or conditions for a learner.
- Surf Life Saving Australia · The Pass
Byron Bay identity, headland refraction, sandbar movement, longshore sweep and boat ramp
- Surf-Forecast · The Pass, NSW
Point identity, ENE swell, SE wind, all-stages tide guidance and lineup hazards
- Surfline · The Pass, Byron Bay
Byron's long right-hand point identity in the publisher's indexed surf guide
Source-informed axes
Swell axis ENE · 68°
Offshore wind from SE · All levels profile
Wave
Long right-hand point
Shifting sandbars and rocky margins
Swell window
ENE–E · headland wrap matters
0.6–1.8 m offshore ranking band
Clean wind
SE · sheltered bay
Applied to wind scoring
Tide window
All stages · bank-dependent
No tide phase affects scoring
Field guide
Read the break.
Character · setup · local read
Field guide
Read the break.
Character
01The Pass is defined by long right-hand point over shifting sandbars and rocky margins. The shape can change with swell angle, period and the active section, so the live score should always be paired with a visual check from shore.
Best setup
02ENE–E · headland wrap matters swell, se · sheltered bay and all stages · bank-dependent form the profile baseline. SWELLRADAR retains 0.6–1.8 m as an offshore-model ranking band, not a measured local surf limit or a breaking-wave prediction.
Lineup read
03Match the active peak to your ability and leave space for other surfers in the water. Pay particular attention to longshore sweep, changing sandbars, rocky margins. Local signs and advice always take priority.
Know before you paddle
Live conditions and local advice always override this profile.
Optional community layerRecent surfer reportsVoluntary and potentially incomplete. Not used for the forecast or Surf Score.
The break
Point break
All levels. Works best with ENE–E · headland wrap matters swell.
Timing
SE · sheltered bay
All stages · bank-dependent. Re-check local observations and the lineup before you paddle out.
Data note
Model data unavailable
SWELLRADAR withholds numerical conditions, scores and surf windows until a quality-checked marine forecast is available.