Holiday accommodation booking

Below is a list of breaks best suited to your experience level, always check the conditions on arrival with a lifeguard or local before entering the water. Sit and watch the waves for at least 30 minutes before entering the line up, watch for how surfers enter and exit the water, where the take off zones are, time between set waves, crowd and vibe. The tide and direction, rips and currents are dangers some times hard to spot. Locate any hazards or structures and be mindful of the type of wave. This will give you the best opportunity for a safe and enjoyable surf. There are four types of surf craft listed below, if your craft is not listed, choose the craft that would ride the waves in a similar fashion to your surf craft.

Surfing (short board).

Beginner to intermediate surfers can surf the beach breaks along the entire coast during the summer and winter. Spots worth a look are The Spit, Main Beach, Kurrawa, Kirra and Duranabah during small swells. On a strong southeast swell try the points of Burleigh Heads, Kirra and Coolangatta. During summer a tropical cyclone can sit of the coast and generate large swells. Only experienced surfers should attempt the points of Burleigh Heads, Kirra Point, Rainbow Beach and Snapper Rocks under those conditions. During small swells the experienced surfer with a sense for some adventure could try The Spit, Main Beach. Kurrawa, North Burleigh, Currumbin and Duranbah for some challenging waves. Duranbah and the Spit at opposite ends of the cost can offer nice waves on even the tiniest of swell.

Surfing (long board).

The beach breaks can offer short steep rides, a challenge for the intermittent to experienced long board rider, for quality long board waves its best to head to the point breaks. Snapper Rocks, Currumbin Alley and Burleigh Heads offer excellent malibu waves, with long smooth right hand rides all year round. A plus is these areas only need the slightest of swells to be rideable. Be wary of the swell size, as a wave can often look inviting from the headland but twice as big on closer inspection. The points can handle very large swells however any waves over 2 meters should only be ridden by the experienced long board rider.

Body-boarding.

Beginner to intermediate body-boarders can surf the beach breaks along the entire coastline during summer and winter. Spots worth a look are The Spit, Main Beach, Mermaid Beach, Tugun and Duranaba. On a strong southeast swell try Kirra to Rainbow bay. During summer a tropical cyclone can sit off the coast and create large swells, only experienced body-boarders should attempt Kirra's dumping waves. Kirra's current usually northerly can be fierce during big swells so take extreme care. An intermediate body-boarder could enjoy Rainbow Bay or Burleigh beach during the huge swells but be careful of the current and rips. During small swells the experienced surfer could try Duranabah for powerful waves when there is a bit of swell running. However be early because Duranabah is a popular spot with all wave riders.

Body-surfing.

Inexperienced body-surfers should stick to the patrolled beaches of Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, Tugun and Miami well know for soft smooth breakers. Rainbow bay is also a very safe patrolled swimming beach with very little breakers most of the year. Intermediate to experienced Body-surfers will enjoy the patrolled beaches along the coast with Duranabah, Southport and Kurrawa beach offering a challenging ride. When large seas are running the experienced Body-surfer should head for Rainbow Bay, however be wary of the vicious current.