Mtber67
What sort of sailing are you into ? Bump & Jump, slalom, waves ?
Plenty of options around Port Stephens.

Soldiers Point can be sailed on an easterly through to nor east... although you will be running almost parallel to the beach it self. You have to work your way out and can then zoom up and down on some pretty long runs (approx 4ks or so). Pretty much flat water (but not by the speed freak standards)
Shoal Bay can work well in the same wind conditions as above BUT you have to be mindful of the tides.
The Port itself is a massive expanse of water (6 times the size of Sydney Harbour) with all the water moving in or out via the heads.
You dont want to be anywhere near the heads when the tide is on the turn and heading out.

With winter now upon us, southerly winds right round to westerlies are the predominant pattern.
Fingal can work very well in a southerly/sse/se but its a bit of a walk in. You sail on the outside of the spit (heads side) but again need to be mindful of tide.
It can produce a pretty good wave ride when its on but there is only a handful of guys who now sail it.

Anything with West in it head to Birubi but check the swell. The beach itself faces due south and with an expanse of beach stretching 38 kms down towards Stockton/Newcastle the stretch of coast is a swell magnet.

Hope this helps you out

Kev

Hi Jason, when either your guts explode outside your stomach, or strangulate itself internally, your body won't go to waste!!! The plentiful and large sea life on that side of Port Stephens will have a feast. You can tell when you are in the main channel, because the water is much colder, and you can here "that" music.
Have I mentioned to you before that they once caught the heaviest Great White off Port Stephens?? Good Luck.

Whom should I give your next fin order to?

Chris ; )

Nah, Christopher Flannerys body keeps us all company

Thanks WindWarrior,
All the effort you have made to help me understand the area and options, is awsome.
Maps, diagrams, info, thanks so much!
The only thing you forgot to mention is where you will sail from?
So I can find you after your sesh and buy you a beer to say thanks!

So nice up this way. So many options for wind and waves!
Could easily see me living up here!
Jason

P.S My brother and I are waiting for thursday morning swell to hit. For a possible early session (surfing) at birubi or samurai's. If it's really 4m, then might need to hit 1 mile? My brother surfed it on Anzac day, and said it was massive but surfable. However, might be worth the drive over to Jimmy's after my morning surf. I'm just a beginner in waves (sailing) so, 4m birubi is not an option for me. Is the place you're talking about over at jimmy's the spot just off the sand bar? Or is it "boulders" the spot off the rocks?

Thanks again.

sick_em_rex said...

I think we need to petition the council to build a bridge somewhere across Nelson Bay

Or find someone with a boat

Swell is dead flat today but should build in the arvo once the low pressure starts moving into position.
Birubi will definitely be worth a look late today and tomorrow.
Samurai will be out for wave sailing in west/south west as its too offshore and gusty.
If the wind does track round to a more southerly direction Fingal Spit will be worth a look for a wave sail for certain !

It's also possible to sail across to Jimis... you just need to be mindful of the tides (outgoing especially)

Wind is already cranking up this way and has been since around 3am.

Hope to get into it a little later but have a bit of work to get through first.
Will be checking Birubi but the Bay will probably be the best option for some bump & jump until the swell builds considerably.

Kev

Yeah doin good thanks Jase. Been 6 months since the op and all mending nicely.
You up with Adam by the way?

Yeah I have sailed there heaps, absolutely a beautiful place to not just sail but to visit as well. Do yourself a favour and do the walk up Mt Tomaree and don't forget to take your camera.....you won't regret it.
Catch up soo mate