Watergate is about 2 miles long at low tide with peaks along the length of the beach. The north end is least crowded and sheltered by the cliffs from a Northerly wind. Low tide can get good if the banks are there.
High tide is usually best and is one of the few places in the area to be good at high tide. At high tide the beach is only about half a mile long, though peaks further North can still be surfed if you are prepared to paddle. The main peak is just to the right of the steps and forms off some small rocks.
Watergate holds a big swell, but the paddle can get really tough. Also, it picks up more swell than other nearby beaches.
Overview
Atmosphere
If it is crowded then the atmosphere is competitive. This is the local break for many surfers and gets very crowded in the evenings after work and on weekends.
They are not there
Crowds are not here_at least thats what I do- I surf this plae on my own all the time- sometimes at lunch_ sometimes 10.30am I cant see any crowds- if theres a right coming i bet you will go left so I will take it- I am also deaf too so cant here you applauding my rad style when I blast all 9ft of my board off the top sometimes getting 1 of my fins out of the water too!!!!! Yeah man full on extreme!!!! You know what I mean!!!
comment by Dicer, 2007-06-25 17:10:55
Crowds
They are everywhere! Watergate is good but Extreme Academy sold the idea to more people and its even busier now. If you want to score these places without crowds go back twenty years, or just get up early (5.00am) and have it to yerslef pretty much. We can't keep whinging because its crowdy, its inevetable, look at Hawaii.If you really love the sport show some dedication...
comment by kermit the log, 2006-12-29 23:32:10
great spot
I just read all the posts below and have to say it sounds great and on the up,think I'll come down during the summer hols to be sure of getting some space...is it true this place always works after lunch,when a bloated gut creates an offshore breeze...parking sounds cheap so could do with a price hike to keep out locals...if it lives up to expectations i'll consider buying a local house as I do at all my favorite breaks as a mark of my respect...ps I'll be in my brand new vw transporter convertable,pop over and say hello...
comment by mofo, 2008-07-02 11:48:33