Sunshine Beach surf report
Open beach break that picks up lots of swell. Punchy banks when the wind is offshore.
New region (beta): these break settings are still being checked by locals. Spot something off? Tell us.
Tomorrow at Sunshine Beach (Sun, 4 Oct) · best 9am–11am
Fun.
Glassy, no wind, overhead waves. Rated for an intermediate surfer.
- Barely any wind (4 kn), so it'll be glassy and smooth.
- Waves around overhead (1.5m faces), a good size for an intermediate surfer.
- Easterly swell at 8 seconds, an angle this spot likes.
- Low tide and rising at 10am, but this spot prefers mid tide.
- Wind swings north-easterly 5 kn around 11am, so it'll get choppy.
Forecast checked Sat, 3 Oct, 9:13 pm Gold Coast time.
When is Sunshine Beach good?
- Best wind
- Westerly (offshore) or none
- Best swell
- North-north-east to south
- 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 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 Sunshine Beach for your level.
Watch out
Strong rips and powerful shorebreak.
Frequently asked
What are the best conditions for surfing Sunshine Beach?
Sunshine Beach is best with a westerly (offshore) wind or no wind, a north-north-east to south 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 Sunshine Beach?
A westerly wind (W) blows straight offshore at Sunshine Beach, holding the waves up and keeping them clean. Light winds are good too. Onshore winds make it choppy.
Is Sunshine Beach good for beginners?
Not really. Sunshine Beach is best for intermediate surfers and up. Beginners will have a better time at Noosa (First Point) or Peregian.
What should I watch out for at Sunshine Beach?
Strong rips and powerful shorebreak.
Nearby breaks
- Tea Tree Bay 3.1 km
- Noosa (First Point) 3.2 km
- Peregian 8.4 km