Portsea Back Beach surf report
Back beach with powerful banks near Point Nepean.
New region (beta): these break settings are still being checked by locals. Spot something off? Tell us.
Tomorrow at Portsea Back Beach (Sun, 4 Oct) · not worth it
Nah.
Choppy onshore wind, overhead waves. Rated for an intermediate surfer.
- South-westerly wind at 7 kn. That's onshore here, so it'll be choppy and messy.
- Waves around overhead (1.8m faces), on the big side for an intermediate surfer.
- South-westerly swell at 11 seconds, an angle this spot likes.
- Mid tide and rising at 12pm, which suits this spot.
- Faces around 1.8m. If it looks too much, watch from the beach. There's no shame in it.
- At 1.8m and 11 seconds, Portsea Back Beach is one for advanced / pro surfers and up today. Very strong rips and rocks.
Forecast checked Sat, 3 Oct, 9:15 pm Gold Coast time.
When is Portsea Back Beach good?
- Best wind
- North-easterly (offshore) or none
- Best swell
- South to west
- Best tide
- Mid tide
- Suits
- Intermediate+
Who it suits depends on the size: intermediates up to about 1.5m. Bigger than 1.5m it is for advanced surfers. Long-period groundswell hits harder, so it counts as bigger.
It picks up more swell than anywhere else around, so it is often the place to check on small days. A north-easterly 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 Portsea Back Beach for your level.
Watch out
Very strong rips and rocks.
Frequently asked
What are the best conditions for surfing Portsea Back Beach?
Portsea Back Beach is best with a north-easterly (offshore) wind or no wind, a south to west swell and mid tide. It picks up more swell than anywhere else around, so it is often the place to check on small days.
What wind is offshore at Portsea Back Beach?
A north-easterly wind (NE) blows straight offshore at Portsea Back Beach, holding the waves up and keeping them clean. Light winds are good too. Onshore winds make it choppy.
Is Portsea Back Beach good for beginners?
Not really. Portsea Back Beach is best for intermediate surfers and up. Beginners will have a better time at Smiths Beach (Phillip Island).
What should I watch out for at Portsea Back Beach?
Very strong rips and rocks.
Nearby breaks
- Gunnamatta 17.7 km
- Flinders 31.8 km
- Point Leo 33.6 km