Clarkes Beach surf report
Gentle beach between Main Beach and The Pass, popular with surf schools.
New region (beta): these break settings are still being checked by locals. Spot something off? Tell us.
Tomorrow at Clarkes Beach (Sun, 4 Oct) · best 5am–7am
Okay.
Choppy onshore wind, chest-high waves. Rated for a beginner.
- Northerly wind at 8 kn. That's onshore here, so it'll be choppy and messy.
- Waves around chest high (0.8m faces), a good size for a beginner.
- Easterly swell at 7 seconds, an angle this spot likes.
- Low tide and dropping at 5am, but this spot prefers mid tide.
Forecast checked Sat, 3 Oct, 9:14 pm Gold Coast time.
When is Clarkes Beach good?
- Best wind
- South-westerly (offshore) or none
- Best swell
- North-east to south-south-east
- Best tide
- Mid tide
- Suits
- Learner+
Who it suits depends on the size: learners up to about 1m, beginners up to about 1.3m, intermediates up to about 1.8m. Bigger than 1.8m it is for advanced surfers. Long-period groundswell hits harder, so it counts as bigger.
It is much smaller than the exposed beaches and needs a decent swell to get going. 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 Clarkes Beach for your level.
Watch out
Busy with lessons. Give learners room.
Frequently asked
What are the best conditions for surfing Clarkes Beach?
Clarkes Beach is best with a south-westerly (offshore) wind or no wind, a north-east to south-south-east swell and mid tide. It is much smaller than the exposed beaches and needs a decent swell to get going.
What wind is offshore at Clarkes Beach?
A south-westerly wind (SW) blows straight offshore at Clarkes Beach, holding the waves up and keeping them clean. Light winds are good too. Onshore winds make it choppy.
Is Clarkes Beach good for beginners?
Yes. Clarkes Beach is one of the better Byron & Ballina spots for learners on small days. Check today's call: on bigger days it gets busier and stronger.
What should I watch out for at Clarkes Beach?
Busy with lessons. Give learners room.
Nearby breaks
- The Pass 0.9 km
- Wategos 1.6 km
- Tallow Beach 2.8 km