When to surf the Gold Coast
Good surf on the Gold Coast comes down to four things: the wind, the swell, the tide and the time of day. Here is how they work here, in plain English.
Wind matters most
Most Gold Coast breaks face east, so westerly to south-westerly winds blow offshore and hold the waves up clean. North-easterly winds blow onshore and make it choppy. The points from Snapper to Kirra and Currumbin are tucked away from southerly winds, so they can still be clean when the open beaches are blown out.
Mornings are usually cleaner
On many days the wind is lightest at dawn. In spring and summer a north-easterly sea breeze often builds through the late morning, so early sessions tend to be best.
Swell direction
The southern points (Snapper Rocks, Kirra, Burleigh Heads) need an east to south-east swell to wrap in and run. Duranbah picks up almost any swell and is often the biggest place around on small days.
Tide
Most breaks work best around mid tide. Kirra prefers lower tides. A big high tide can make some banks fat and slow, and a dropping tide can pull strongly at creek mouths like Currumbin.
Seasons
Late summer and autumn are what the points are famous for: tropical cyclones in the Coral Sea can send long-period east swells, especially from about February to May. Winter often brings cleaner offshore mornings with south-east swells. Spring tends to be smaller, with afternoon north-easterlies. East coast lows can bring big swell at any time of year. Every year is different, so check the day.
Frequently asked
What is the best wind for surfing on the Gold Coast?
A light westerly or south-westerly, which blows offshore at most Gold Coast breaks. Glassy, windless mornings are also excellent. North-easterlies blow onshore and make waves choppy.
When is surf season on the Gold Coast?
You can surf all year. The best-known season for the points is late summer to autumn, when cyclone swells are most likely. Winter often has clean offshore mornings.
How do I know if the surf is good today?
Check the wind direction, swell size and direction, and tide for the break you want. Get Frothin’ does this every hour for every Gold Coast break and tells you in plain English whether it is worth going, for your level.