Tallow Beach surf report
Long, exposed beach south of the Cape that picks up all the swell.
New region (beta): these break settings are still being checked by locals. Spot something off? Tell us.
Tomorrow at Tallow Beach (Sun, 4 Oct) · best 5am–9am
Fun.
Light cross-wind, overhead waves. Rated for an intermediate surfer.
- Northerly wind at 8 kn. That's cross-shore here, so expect a bit of texture.
- Waves around overhead (1.4m faces), a good size for an intermediate surfer.
- Easterly swell at 7 seconds, an angle this spot likes.
- Low tide and dropping at 5am, but this spot prefers mid tide.
- Wind swings north-north-easterly 12 kn around 12pm, so it'll get choppy.
Forecast checked Sat, 3 Oct, 9:13 pm Gold Coast time.
When is Tallow 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 Tallow Beach for your level.
Watch out
Strong rips and few people around. Sharks have been seen here.
Frequently asked
What are the best conditions for surfing Tallow Beach?
Tallow 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 Tallow Beach?
A westerly wind (W) blows straight offshore at Tallow Beach, holding the waves up and keeping them clean. Light winds are good too. Onshore winds make it choppy.
Is Tallow Beach good for beginners?
Not really. Tallow Beach is best for intermediate surfers and up. Beginners will have a better time at Wategos or Clarkes Beach.
What should I watch out for at Tallow Beach?
Strong rips and few people around. Sharks have been seen here.
Nearby breaks
- Clarkes Beach 2.8 km
- Wategos 3.3 km
- The Pass 3.3 km