Monster waves and king tides pound Sydney’s coastline leaving iconic beaches unrecognisable and Bondi Icebergs with a hefty damage bill

By CAITLIN POWELL FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 02:35 BST, 2 April 2025 | Updated: 05:51 BST, 2 April 2025

A popular beach club is facing a damage bill worth hundreds of thousands of dollars after monster waves pounded the NSW coast.

A huge king tide and storm surges hit Sydney overnight on Wednesday with large swells of up to 5.5metres recorded at Bondi Beach in the city’s east. 

Glass was reportedly smashed at Bondi Icebergs Club with CCTV footage showing seawater rushing through the reception area of the pool.

‘I have never seen anything like it,’ general manager Bob Tate told The Daily Telegraph.

‘It’s the first time in 20 years the pool has been closed at low tide.’

He said the damage to the club could amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars and the pool will be closed for two weeks.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a hazardous surf warning for all of Wednesday, cautioning against coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, and swimming.

The warning zone extends south to Eden and as far north as Byron Bay, with NSW Police advising people to stay out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas.

A woman is seen sweeping up glass at the Bondi Icebergs pool on Wednesday

Massive waves pounded a string of beaches along Sydney’s coastline

Police taped off the Bondi Icebergs Club pool and advised Sydneysiders to stay out of the water

Former boxer-turned-real estate agent Ibrahim Yaghmour said the ground shook at his home in Sans Souci, in Sydney’s south, on Tuesday night.

‘The floor was shaking and, as soon as I left my house, I knew something was odd,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.

‘By the time I got to Ramsgate Beach, it just kept getting worse.

‘I have seen the devastating damage happen right in front of my eyes.’ 

Bayside Council said significant swells caused damage to pedestrian areas and roads near the shore during the early hours of Wednesday morning.

‘Council staff are working diligently on site to help with clean up and traffic flow,’ it said.

Carruthers Drive at Dolls Point is currently closed and residents have been told, where possible, to avoid the area.

Deputy Mayor Heidi Lee Douglas said Carruthers Drive and Pine Park were also being severely impacted by the giant seas and king tide. 

Large swells of up to 5.5metres were recorded at Bondi Beach in the city’s east (pictured)

The significant swells caused damage to pedestrian areas and roads on shore (pictured)

Surfers could be seen taking advantage of the massive swells on Tuesday

‘[There was] sand approximately 30-40metres over the sea wall,’ she said. 

The deputy mayor said it would take two to three days to complete the clean-up.

Fire and Rescue NSW and the SES have also provided sandbags. 

Locals took to social media to share their experience of the massive swells. 

‘My house was vibrating with every wave crashing,’ one person said. 

A Carruthers Drive resident said it was a ‘disaster’ in their suburb.

‘Thank you Bayside Council for sending in the teams so quickly,’ they added. 

Meanwhile, surfers could be seen taking advantage of the swell, with one spotted riding a large wave at Bondi Beach.

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Monster waves and king tides pound Sydney’s coastline leaving iconic beaches unrecognisable and Bondi Icebergs with a hefty damage bill

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