Burleigh Heads surf report
Grinding right-hand point with long barrel sections when the south-east swell hits. Locals call it Burleigh Point.
Today at Burleigh Heads (Sat, 3 Oct) · best 5am–8am
Okay.
Glassy, no wind, chest-high waves. Rated for an intermediate surfer.
- Barely any wind (4 kn), so it'll be glassy and smooth.
- Waves around chest high (0.8m faces), on the small side, even for an intermediate surfer.
- Easterly swell at 6 seconds, an angle this spot likes.
- Low tide and rising at 7am, but this spot prefers mid tide.
- Wind swings north-north-westerly 5 kn around 8am, so it'll get choppy.
Forecast checked Sat, 3 Oct, 2:59 am Gold Coast time.
When is Burleigh Heads good?
- Best wind
- South-westerly (offshore) or none
- Best swell
- East-north-east to south-south-east
- Best tide
- Mid tide
- Suits
- Intermediate+
Who it suits depends on the size: intermediates up to about 1m. Bigger than 1m it is for advanced surfers. Long-period groundswell hits harder, so it counts as bigger.
It is a bit smaller than the open beaches, which keeps it friendly when the swell is up. A south-westerly wind blows offshore here, so mornings before the sea breeze are usually cleanest. Get Frothin’ checks the wind, swell, tide and the live wave buoys every hour and tells you, in plain English, whether it's worth paddling out at Burleigh Heads for your level.
Watch out
Rock jump-off, a relentless sweep and a hot-shot crowd.
Surf schools at Burleigh Heads
Lessons mean more people in the water. The app flags when a school is out, so you know it'll be busy.
- Cheyne Horan School of Surf. Lessons usually start at 10am.
- Godfathers of the Ocean. Lessons usually start at 7:30am, 8am, 8:30am.
Frequently asked
What are the best conditions for surfing Burleigh Heads?
Burleigh Heads is best with a south-westerly (offshore) wind or no wind, a east-north-east to south-south-east swell and mid tide. It is a bit smaller than the open beaches, which keeps it friendly when the swell is up.
What wind is offshore at Burleigh Heads?
A south-westerly wind (SW) blows straight offshore at Burleigh Heads, holding the waves up and keeping them clean. Light winds are good too. Onshore winds make it choppy.
Is Burleigh Heads good for beginners?
Not really. Burleigh Heads is best for intermediate surfers and up. Beginners will have a better time at Rainbow Bay or Currumbin Alley.
What should I watch out for at Burleigh Heads?
Rock jump-off, a relentless sweep and a hot-shot crowd.
Are there surf lessons at Burleigh Heads?
Yes: Cheyne Horan School of Surf, Godfathers of the Ocean. Lesson times bring more people into the water, and Get Frothin’ shows when lessons are on, so you can plan around the busy times.
Nearby breaks
- Palm Beach 2.8 km
- Currumbin Alley 5.9 km
- Kirra 11.0 km