Surf trips in Gold Coast
World-class right-hand point breaks across Snapper Rocks to Kirra, peak season Feb to May on tropical cyclone swell.
The Gold Coast holds the most consistent stretch of right-hand point break in the world when conditions line up.
The Superbank from Snapper Rocks through Greenmount, Coolangatta, and Kirra runs as a single sand-bottom right on a SE-S swell of 3-6ft with light NW winds, producing rides that can connect over 1km when the bank fills in. Burleigh Heads sits 20 minutes north and fires similar setup with less crowd pressure on most days.
Peak season runs February through May when ex-tropical cyclones spinning down the Coral Sea push consistent SE groundswell into the points. The water stays at 22-25C through autumn and winter, dropping to 19-20C briefly in July and August.
Crowds are heavy at the marquee breaks: Snapper on a 6ft Tuesday in March can have 150 surfers in the water. Base in Coolangatta or Kingscliff for walking access.
Tweed Heads sits a few minutes south for cheaper accommodation.
Where should I surf in Gold Coast?
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Gold Coast, the long version
Waves
The Superbank is the headline. On a clean 4-6ft SE swell with light NW winds, the sand bank from Snapper Rocks runs through Rainbow Bay, Greenmount, Coolangatta, and Kirra in one connected right that has been measured over 1km long.
The wave wraps Snapper Rocks first, walls up through Rainbow Bay, sections briefly off Greenmount headland, then re-forms through the Coolangatta corner before peeling down the Kirra sand bar. When all sections connect, it is one of the longest rideable waves on Earth.
Burleigh Heads, 20 minutes north, is a shorter, more localised right-hand point that handles up to 6ft and breaks faster and more hollow than the Superbank. Currumbin Alley sits between them and offers a longer, mellower right on a similar swell.
Off-season alternatives include South Stradbroke Island (boat or 4WD access for empty beachbreaks), Duranbah at the mouth of the Tweed River (a fast peaky beachbreak that picks up more swell than the points), and the various beach breaks between Coolangatta and Surfers Paradise that come to life when the points are too small or too crowded.
When to go
February through May is peak. Ex-tropical cyclones rotating down the Coral Sea push consistent SE groundswell into the points, and prevailing NW winds in autumn keep them glass.
March and April typically deliver the most overhead days. June through August sees less swell but cleaner conditions on the days it arrives.
September through November is the quietest season for surf, with smaller swells and morning nor'easters. Summer (December through January) brings tropical thunderstorms, sticky humidity, and inconsistent swell except when a cyclone fires.
Where to stay
Coolangatta is the walkable base for the Superbank. Most accommodation is mid-range hotels and apartments within a 10-minute walk of Snapper Rocks.
Kingscliff, 15 minutes south across the NSW border, has cheaper apartments and quieter mornings. Burleigh Heads village has a strong cafe and food scene with surf-focused accommodation a short walk from the headland.
Tweed Heads sits across the QLD-NSW state line from Coolangatta and offers the cheapest accommodation for budget surfers willing to drive 10 minutes to the points.
Logistics
Gold Coast Airport (OOL) sits 5 minutes from Coolangatta and serves international flights from Auckland, Tokyo, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur, plus all major Australian domestic capitals. Brisbane Airport (BNE) is 75 minutes north by road if Gold Coast Airport does not have your route.
Renting a car is the standard approach: parking is widely available at all the major breaks. Tram and bus services cover the Coolangatta to Surfers Paradise corridor.
Uber is reliable. Board bag fees on Jetstar are $50-100 each way.
The questions we get asked most
February through May is peak season. Ex-tropical cyclones spinning down the Coral Sea push consistent SE groundswell into the points, and prevailing NW winds in autumn keep them glass. March and April typically deliver the most overhead days.
Very crowded. Snapper Rocks on a 6ft Tuesday in March can have 150 surfers. Dawn patrol on weekdays is the only way to avoid the heaviest crowds. Less famous alternatives like Burleigh Heads and Currumbin Alley take some of the pressure off.
Coolangatta for walking access to the Superbank. Kingscliff (15 minutes south, NSW side) for cheaper apartments and quieter mornings. Burleigh Heads for a stronger cafe scene and proximity to Burleigh point. Tweed Heads for budget accommodation 10 minutes from the points.