When you get out of the central Male area, there's a lot of empties

Laamu

We’ve traded the buzz of South Malé Atoll (hello, Kandooma) for the slow hum of Laamu — a sleepier, more remote corner of the Maldives. Fewer resorts, more local life. We’re now on Mundoo, a tiny island with just 150 legends calling it home. After the 2004 tsunami, most packed up and moved on… but […]

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Adrian “Ace” Buchan slotted in between the trees at Kandooma

Kandoomaafushi

Tried to hop from Colombo to Malé… but just as we were about to touch down—wheels practically skimming the tarmac—the pilot hit the gas and pulled us back to Sri Lanka. Storm chaos. Classic island welcome. Eventually, we made it. And yep, Kandooma was worth the weather rollercoaster. The wave here is a playful little […]

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Crew walking along A-Bay

Last Tuk Tuk Outta Ceylon

Just a quick hop across the ditch (1hr flight) and we’re swapping coconut palms for coral reefs — chasing more waves and clear blue water in the Maldives. Sri Lanka… you’ve been wild, raw, exotic and completely alive. We’ve loved our time here. Shooting photos was a dream — there’s always something going on. Every […]

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A sky fortress carved into stone, towering over Sri Lanka for 1,500 years.

Lion Rock

In the middle of Sri Lanka’s steamy jungle rises Sigiriya, a 200m-high monolith with lion paws carved into its face and a ruined palace on top. It’s wild to look at—and the backstory is even wilder. Back in 475 AD, Prince Kasyapa wasn’t next in line for the throne. So, he killed his father, stole […]

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Gal Oya National Park is a hidden gem in Southeast Sri Lanka

Surf to Safari

After trading point breaks at A-Bay, we headed deep into Sri Lanka’s southeastern wilds—Gal Oya National Park, where the real locals weigh five tonnes and don’t need priority on a wave. From the safety of a boat, we watched elephants mow down grasslands like living bulldozers. Wild, revered, and totally free-roaming, these gentle giants are […]

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The main point is a great longboarding wave

Wild A-Bay

This place is wild. Raw. Loose—but cool. Let me explain… I jump out of the surf yesterday, still dripping, and hear a rustle in the bushes… strange noise too. Oh, no biggie—just a wild elephant near the car park. They’ve strung up makeshift “fences” (bits of string on poles mimicking electric fences) to keep the […]

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The jewel of Sri Lanka's surfing - Aragum Bay

Right On, Arugam

We’ve rolled into Sri Lanka’s grungy, bohemian surf mecca—Arugam Bay. Think of it as their version of Bondi, but with more coconuts, fewer puffer jackets, and a whole lot more right-handers. Perched on the island’s east coast, Arugam lights up this time of year. It’s protected from the wind, in season, and absolutely pumping with […]

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Little Adam's Peak, morning view

High on Ella

When the idea of Sri Lanka was pitched, it came wrapped in a dreamy combo: surf, culture, jungle hikes, waterfalls, spicy eats, tuk tuk chaos, tea-stained hills—the works. A little wave here, a little wonder there. And wow—Ella. We’re perched 1,000 metres above sea level where the air’s a bit cooler, the views are long, […]

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Sri Lanka, empty nugget rolls in Weligama

Sri Lanka Dispatch

In our endless pursuit of coastline and curry, today’s post comes to you from the sunny southwest of Sri Lanka — Weligama and neighbouring Midigama. It’s technically offseason here, so the surf line-up is pretty deserted…but there’s still a wave on offer if you’re keen. It’s a bit wonky, but clean at first light. Peak […]

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Ladies Day, North Bondi

Grey Skies, Bumpy Rides

It was a gloomy old start to the day—dark, chilly, and a little wonky. Bondi was serving up head-high+, unruly waves under a thick grey blanket. Not many punters out either… maybe the 9.1° temps at 5am scared ’em off? Winds are now out of the S, blowing 10–15 knots. Tomorrow looks much more playful, […]

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Look, the waves returned after a flat spell

Polar Westerlies

The polar westerlies are still hanging about, and they’ve dragged the mercury down to a brisk 8 degrees at sunrise. Proper frosties on the digits this morning. The good news? The swell’s bounced back into the 3–4 foot range. Bit wild and woolly out there—random peaks all over the place—but if you put in the […]

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BONDI PANCAKES

Blown to Bits

It’s howling outside. A roaring 30-knot westerly is tearing across Bondi, blowing any hint of swell back to New Zealand. It’s flaaaaaaaaaaat. So flat that only one lone frother gave it a crack this morning… with zero success. These gusty land-breezes will stick around ’til Friday, but good news: the weekend looks surfable again. Swell […]

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Fun in the sun, up north end

Ceasefire

For days on end, Bondi’s south-end bank has been serving up a fun-sized trickle of waves—perfect little nibblers to keep the frothers frothing. But today? The party’s over (#Ceasefire). It’s as flat as a pancake… except for one rogue set that randomly jacked up north inside the flags—no joke, scroll down, I’ve got the proof. […]

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Yesterday - Waist-High Bliss on the bank

June Redemption

After one of the chilliest starts to June in recent memory — especially harsh if you’ve just stepped off a plane from the tropics — this week’s been pure redemption. Yesterday? A gift. Today? More of the same. How good. A big ol’ blocking high-pressure system has parked itself over southeastern Australia, acting like a […]

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In between sets, Bondi

Sunny Side Up

After the latest sunrise of the year, we’ve been gifted a crisp, immaculate winter’s morning in Bondi. Sun’s out, skies are spotless, and the early frothers were out in force. The swell had a little push overnight (even tickled 3ft), but today it’s settled into a tidy 1–2 footer with a sneaky east angle. It […]

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Competition for waves

Gold Rush

Everyone’s piling into gold as global tensions flare… but there’s a different kind of gold rush unfolding down at Bondi. The sun’s at its far northern swing — the most side-on it gets to our beach all year — and it’s throwing pure gold across everything I shoot. It’s my favourite light, hands down. Side-lighting […]

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Golden rays, Asaf on the fades. Bondi 7am

Eight Degrees of Separation

The mercury dipped to a crisp 8 degrees around 6am. Frosty, wasn’t it? Like the past few days, it’s eerily quiet down the beach —1 foot, sunny skies, and barely a puff of wind. Glassy. Calm. Great for a dip, not much chop for the surfers. When it’s this still, the ocean drifts off into […]

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Yep, it's very small today. Good for learners

Biters & Rays

The waves are tiny today — classic ankle biters. But the sun? She’s on full blast. A glorious winter’s morning, even if it kicked off chilly at 8.2°C at 3:30am. Yeah yeah, we hear you Victorians and Tassie crew laughing at us… but hey, that’s cold for Bondi. The ocean’s still holding a balmy 18.8°C […]

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Fishy rides and small swells, Bondi 7am

Woollies at Dawn

I’ve got a lot of admiration for those brave souls diving into the ocean on mornings like this. The water’s actually warmer than the air, but it’s that barefoot bolt across the sand that’ll test you. Thankfully, there was barely a breeze this morning, and last night’s squall cleared out to reveal a beauty of […]

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Frog kick, Bronte Pool

Frosty Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th — a day wrapped in superstition. Some say it’s cursed. After a wander down the beach, I’d say it is not too cursed — the lineup was empty, and there were some handy three-footers rolling through at Bondi and Bronte. If you’re up for a solo surf, today’s your day. The cold […]

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Big rose moon was on the prowl earlier this morning

Tropics to Thermals

The switch from the tropics to polar Sydney mornings was a slap in the face. My phone reckoned 8°C, but those frosty offshores sliced like it was 4 or 5. Didn’t matter if you had the best down jacket on—still cut deep. Chilly dawns = quiet lineups. Bondi had some decent head-high to overhead sets […]

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Remote islands, empty line ups and warm water. All you need

Final Waves

We’ve filled our annual wave quota in just ten days… time to pack up and head back to the mainland. As far as surf trips go, you couldn’t script better conditions — 4-6 foot more often than not, the odd 2-3 foot lull, and a solid 8-foot finale. Sunshine was abundant, and we scored endless […]

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Walker Daly, morning glass. Couple of days ago

Dreamstate

Sometimes, all the elements just click — and you get one of those days. Lucky for us, it landed smack in the middle of our offshore Indo surf charter. Zero wind. Four-to-six-foot waves. Sunshine from the first crack of light (rare up here with all the humidity). A diamond day — a proper cracker — […]

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Slotted, in the land of hollow

Mentawai Drift

I’m back in the wave-rich archipelago of the Mentawais (MEN-TAH-WHY) — that dreamy chain of islands dangling off Sumatra’s coast. It’s a place I return to year after year, living aboard a boat, drifting between reefs, chasing empty waves, and unplugging from city life. Honestly, it’s one of my favourite places on Earth — I […]

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The Regent, Bondi Beach

Bondi Doors

When you see me pointing the camera at buildings and doors around Bondi, it’s usually a sign the beach ain’t doing much. Well… correction—there is a lot happening out there, just not the good kind. It’s wild, rogue, and downright moody. Not a single surfer in sight this morning. Not one. Just a few brave […]

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Harry Highfield perfectly slotted

Sudden Surge

Bondi had a fleeting moment of brilliance this morning—a narrow window where it was properly cooking. Before the fresh south groundswell muscled in, two shallow banks served up hollow little drainers, spitting tubes out, with only a handful of honkies. The new swell is now flowing in, steamrolling the banks and shutting it all down. […]

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Ubers eat to the line up, dark Bondi morning

Gloomy

Tiny waves, dark-dark morning, wind coming…tricky to get a decent shot of anything in the dark! I’m selling some of my Mavic 3 drone kit with the mega RC Pro controller. I paid $6,300 a few years ago, current bid is only $1999! Grab a good deal and have a bid. (Will ship) P A […]

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Christophe Marandat tickling the nasal cavities

Developing Showers

The swell’s backed off a gear — waist to chest high on the sets — after yesterday’s dreamy conditions. You didn’t miss that, did you? Because that was as clean and fun as it gets around here. Could it be? Has the long-standing curse of terrible conditions for the Bondi Boardriders Club finally lifted? Miracles […]

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The long stretch of Northern Beaches

Messy Mornings, Sunny Memories

The stubborn low just won’t shove off. It’s still loitering off the coast, like that last punter at a party who won’t take the hint. Winds are onshore again today — a bit lighter than yesterday, but enough to keep things junkie and wild out there. Surf’s overhead, occasionally double, but all over the shop… […]

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Rainbow mania at North Bondi this morning

Stubborn low

We’re in the grip of a stubborn low-pressure system parked off the coast, refusing to budge. It’s like that one friend who overstays their welcome… three days in, and they’re still on your couch eating all your snacks. These coastal lows are notorious for lashing the East Coast with relentless onshore winds, stormy seas, and […]

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Curl Curl in the summer

Storm Scroll.

Woke to a moody old Bondi this morning—wind whipping, horizontal rain, and a soupy grey sky swallowing the coastline whole. No golden glow, no glassy waves, not even a lone jogger doing laps of the promenade. Just inside-out brollies and a frothy ocean throwing a full-blown tantrum. Bondi’s a ghost town today… and let’s be […]

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B O N D I ! @Icebergs

Bondi Drizzle

Fridays around here are usually full throttle — but not this one. It was mellow, almost sleepy. Maybe that 6am drizzle had everyone reaching for the snooze button instead of the swimmers. The beach was quiet, the lineup even quieter. The south corner’s still got some energy, with waist-high sets and the occasional bigger pulse. […]

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Icebergs in a Liquid I.V. Skin

Fully Hydrated

It’s a bit of a cliché, but Bondi was fully hydrated this morning—rain, rain, and yep, more rain. And it’s not easing up anytime soon. The current weather pattern looks set to linger, with showers and cool temps hanging around for the next few days. On the bright side? Rain usually means swell. Silver linings, […]

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How many in the water you reckon? And that's just North

Urban Rush

After a grey start, Bondi has flipped into a stunning, sunny Autumn day. It’s sitting around 21 degrees at lunchtime—pretty ideal. Heads up, though: there’s a chance of a shower around 4 p.m., so maybe bring the washing in early. The wave machine has eased off. Just the occasional shoulder-high runner pushing through, but mostly […]

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Fraser Dovell, blow tails and hugging the shoulder for safety

Clean Sets, Dirty Etiquette

The decent run of swell continues, and Bondi was looking the goods at sunrise—clean lines, waist to head high, with the odd freak set throwing a little more grunt. But while the waves were playing nice, the crowd? Not so much. It was absolute carnage out there this morning. A weird mix of beginners going […]

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Fraser Dovell, full commitment to frontside jam

Drenched Dreams

Yep, still raining. The skies have forgotten how to do anything else. This week’s forecast? It’s more of the same – wet, grey, and moody. But with these unstable systems comes an upside: swell. And plenty of it. The ocean’s been generous, and we’ve had a decent run of waves. Stormy? Sure. But there’s gold […]

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Joel Pilgrim on the other side of the curtain, Bondi

Into the Deep End

Looking out the window now, you’d never guess how magic the morning was. Gloomy, onshore, and junky this arvo—but at 6:30am? Glorious sunshine, silky offshore winds, and two-foot peelers folding neatly into the corner on high tide. Warm water, too. Proper autumn gold. The southerly’s kicked in hard. It’s 3–4 foot and pretty wild now. […]

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Surfing is popular at Bondi! 7am

Midweek Micro

It’s smaller than yesterday. Actually, it’s way smaller. We’re teetering on lake-like conditions down here at Bondi this morning. But don’t pack away your board just yet—change is coming. A fresh south swell is on the way and should start pulsing around lunchtime tomorrow. We’re talking a leap from ankle-biters to overhead sets by the […]

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Lucky shorey frame, right place, right shutter speed, right light

Waves & Shutters

I’ve not taken photos in the brine for a while, as the conditions haven’t been right. Shooting in the water is my favourite type of photography, even better than dangling out the side of a helicopter. Especially on sublime Autumn mornings, when the water is crystal clear and warm, the sunlight crispy and golden. The […]

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Water sculptures, South Bondi

Glow & Go

It was a very picturesque Monday to kick off the week. Colourful hues ignited above Ben Buckler whilst 1-2 footers peeled into the bay from the East. Yesterday was an incredible Sunday – everywhere was pumping with no wind, plenty of swell and sunshine. Bondi was fantastic, with enormous crowds feasting on 4-5 foot piping […]

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