Patrol notice
Terrigal and Avoca patrols run 9 am to 5 pm
Weekend patrols are extended during the summer school break. The flagged swimming areas may move with the sandbank.
Central Coast coastal lifestyle
Life Between the Waves
Live the coastal life with news that matters from Terrigal to Toukley. Stewart & Simpson Herald covers surf conditions, beach safety, tourism, events, and the stories behind the shore.
Terrigal news, Avoca Beach news, The Entrance news and local stories for every shore.
Morning conditions
Today's Surf & Swell Conditions
A quick read before you leave home. Conditions are checked for the Central Coast's busiest breaks.
| Location | Swell | Wind | Tide | Risk level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrigal North-facing beach |
1.2 m | SE 12 km/h | High 8:40 am | Low |
| Avoca Beach Open ocean break |
1.5 m | SE 15 km/h | Low 2:10 pm | Watch rips |
| Copacabana Southern headland |
1.3 m | East 10 km/h | High 9:05 am | Watch rips |
| The Entrance Channel and ocean beach |
0.8 m | SE 8 km/h | Low 1:45 pm | Low |
Wind is offshore before 9 am
Swim between the red and yellow flags
Know before you go
Beach Safety & Patrols
Conditions change quickly along the coast. Check the patrol window, watch the flags, and keep children within arm's reach near the water.
Read safety updatesThe Entrance has a strong outgoing tide
Avoid the channel edge and use the patrolled ocean beach. Lifeguard reports are added when conditions shift.
Carry water and a first-aid kit
Sun exposure, sharp shells and slippery rocks turn a short walk into a problem quickly. Tell someone your route.
Eat, stay, explore
Tourism & Hospitality Highlights
Local businesses give each suburb its own rhythm. These profiles track new openings, visitor patterns and the people behind the counter.
Terrigal Local pick
A slower start on the esplanade
A new breakfast room is putting locally roasted coffee and Central Coast produce on the early menu.
Read the profile
The Entrance Visitor watch
A busy season around the channel
Accommodation operators report stronger midweek bookings as visitors stay longer beside the lake and ocean.
Read the update
Food & wine Local guide
What is on the summer table
Small producers and hospitality teams are preparing a weekend programme of tastings, live cooking and local menus.
See event datesPlan the next outing
Coastal Events & Festivals
Markets, fishing competitions and community gatherings belong on the local calendar. Dates are checked with organisers before publication.
14Dec
Avoca Beach
Saturday foreshore markets
8 am to 1 pm, Heazlett Park.
21Dec
Toukley
Community fishing competition
Registration opens at 6 am, Budgewoi Lake.
04Jan
Long Jetty
Summer food and makers evening
5 pm to 9 pm, Toowoon Bay Road.
Shoreline stories
Coastal Heritage & Environment
The coast carries older stories than the latest development notice. Our reporting follows dune restoration, marine life, historic landmarks, shipwreck records and Indigenous heritage across the lakes and beaches.
"A healthy dune is a living sea wall, built by plants, sand and patient local work."
Dune restoration
See where volunteers are planting native grasses.
Heritage records
Follow shipwrecks, landmarks and local archives.
Your next coastal read
Keep up with the places you know.
Check today's surf, follow beach safety alerts, then find a local event worth the drive.