Byron Bay vs Spot X: Which Surf Camp Is Right for You?

Mojosurf has two homes on the east coast of Australia, a little over 200 km apart on the same highway. Byron Bay is a famous beach town with a choice of surf on both sides of Cape Byron and plenty going on. Spot X, at Arrawarra on the Coffs Coast, is a camp beside a quiet beach and headland where the day revolves around the surf, the meals and the campfire. They suit different trips, and this comparison is here to help you pick.

Side by side

	Byron Bay	Spot X, Arrawarra
Setting	A busy, well-known beach town	A small beach settlement, 10 minutes north of Woolgoolga
Waves	Beach breaks and right-hand points on both sides of the cape, plus Lennox Head and Ballina	A right-hand point at the headland and beach breaks, usually uncrowded
Crowds	Busy. The Pass is very crowded	Quiet
Lifeguards	Main Beach is patrolled all year	Patrolled only in the summer school holidays
Water temperature	About 25–27 °C in February, 19–22 °C in August	About 24–27 °C in February, 18–21 °C in August
Nearest airport	Ballina Byron Gateway, about 30 minutes	Coffs Harbour, about 25 km
Where you stay with Mojosurf	Arts Factory Lodge, a 10-minute walk from town	Cabins or tipis at the camp on Arrawarra Beach Road
Meals with Mojosurf	Not included. There is a community kitchen at the camp, and Byron’s restaurants are a 10-minute walk away	Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day
Out of the water	Cape Byron Lighthouse, whale watching from May to November, cafés and nightlife	Solitary Islands Marine Park, Arrawarra Headland, the campfire

The waves

Byron Bay has variety. The cape turns the coast so that some beaches face north and others south-east, which means there is usually a workable option whatever the wind. Main Beach and Wategos are the gentle end of the range, and Lennox Point, to the south, is for experienced surfers only. Our Byron lessons are held at beaches near Lennox Head or Ballina, chosen for the conditions on the day.

Spot X has space. Arrawarra Point is a right-hander that peels along the headland, described by tourism sources as a gentle wave suited to beginners and longboarders, and it is usually uncrowded. With the camp beside the beach, the morning lesson starts at about 7:30am without a long drive first.

Guests around a campfire at the Mojosurf camp at Spot X

Through the year

Both can be surfed in every season, and they share a similar pattern. Summer has the warmest water and generally smaller surf. Autumn is a favourite on this coast, and April is regarded as prime time at Arrawarra. Winter brings the most swell, from the south, often with offshore winds in the morning, cooler water and whales migrating up the coast. Spring warms up again. In summer you will not need a wetsuit at either. In winter a springsuit or 3/2 mm wetsuit is useful.

Atmosphere

Byron is a town: shops, cafés, live music and a lot of other travellers, with the lighthouse walk above it all. Spot X is a camp: your room, the surf, shared meals and a fire in the evening, with very little else nearby. One is not better than the other. They are different kinds of trip.

Which one is for you?

Choose Byron Bay if you want

A lively town on your doorstep
Lots to do between surf sessions
A beach patrolled all year
To tick off Australia’s most easterly point

Choose Spot X if you want

Uncrowded waves
All meals taken care of
A camp by the beach, with a campfire at night
To switch off and focus on surfing

Or do both

Map comparing Byron Bay and Spot X surf camps on Australia's East Coast, with Sydney, Gold Coast and Brisbane — Spot X at Arrawarra and Byron Bay are on the same route up the NSW coast, between Sydney and Brisbane.

Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay are about 250 km apart on the same highway, so the two fit naturally into one trip up or down the coast. The 6 Day Great Aussie Adventure spends five nights at Spot X and includes transfers from Sydney, Byron Bay or Brisbane.

Starting in Sydney? See surf camp from Sydney for how guests get to both camps.

With Mojosurf

Byron Bay Surf Camp: Byron Bay Surf and Stay Package (3 to 8 days) or surf lessons from a half day to five days.
Spot X Surf Camp: Surf and Stay Spot X (3 to 8 days, all meals, daily lessons).

Read the full guides

Common questions

3 questions

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Is Byron Bay or Spot X better for beginners?

Both suit beginners. Byron has more going on out of the water. Spot X has fewer people in it.

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How far apart are they?

Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay are about 250 km apart. Arrawarra is north of Coffs Harbour, so the drive is a little shorter.

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Which has meals included?

Spot X includes breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Byron Bay doesn’t include meals. There is a community kitchen at the camp, and plenty of local restaurants a 10-minute walk away in town.

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