Snapper Rocks surf report
Famous right-hand point at the top of the Superbank. Long walls when the SE swell lines up. Locals call it Snapper.
Today at Snapper Rocks (Sat, 3 Oct) · best 5am–8am
Okay.
Glassy, no wind, chest-high waves. Rated for an intermediate surfer.
- Barely any wind (3 kn), so it'll be glassy and smooth.
- Waves around chest high (0.8m faces), a good size 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 northerly 5 kn around 8am, so it'll get choppy.
Forecast checked Sat, 3 Oct, 2:56 am Gold Coast time.
When is Snapper Rocks good?
- Best wind
- South-westerly (offshore) or none
- Best swell
- East to south-south-east
- 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 gets most of the open-ocean swell, so there is usually something to ride. 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 Snapper Rocks for your level.
Watch out
Rocks, strong current and a very crowded, competitive line-up.
Frequently asked
What are the best conditions for surfing Snapper Rocks?
Snapper Rocks is best with a south-westerly (offshore) wind or no wind, a east to south-south-east swell and mid tide. It gets most of the open-ocean swell, so there is usually something to ride.
What wind is offshore at Snapper Rocks?
A south-westerly wind (SW) blows straight offshore at Snapper Rocks, holding the waves up and keeping them clean. Light winds are good too. Onshore winds make it choppy.
Is Snapper Rocks good for beginners?
Not really. Snapper Rocks 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 Snapper Rocks?
Rocks, strong current and a very crowded, competitive line-up.
Nearby breaks
- Rainbow Bay 0.6 km
- Duranbah 0.9 km
- Greenmount 1.2 km