Surf trips in Margaret River
Western Australia's premier surf region: Margaret River main break, Yallingup, North Point, peak season March to October, raw Indian Ocean groundswell.
The Margaret River region in southwest Western Australia holds the most concentrated cluster of high-quality reef breaks in the country.
The 130km Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin coastline (locally Cape to Cape) faces raw Indian Ocean groundswell with no continental shelf protection, producing powerful, hollow waves at over 70 named breaks. Margaret River main break (Surfers Point) is the headline: a heavy right-hand reef break that holds up to 15ft on raw SW groundswell, with two distinct take-off zones (the Bombie outside and the Main Break inside).
Yallingup, at the northern end of the corridor, offers Yalls (a long right-hand reef), Three Bears (a series of points), and Smiths Beach (a beach break alternative). North Point, just south of Yallingup, is one of the hollowest right-hand barrels in Australia.
Peak season runs March through October with the largest swells April through July. Water runs 16-22C: 4/3 wetsuit through autumn and winter, 3/2 in summer.
Base in Margaret River township or Yallingup.
Where should I surf in Margaret River?
0 spots and 0 camps in Margaret River.
Margaret River, the long version
Waves
Margaret River main break (Surfers Point) is the headline. A heavy right-hand reef break with two distinct take-off zones: the Bombie sits 400m offshore and breaks at 8-15ft on raw SW groundswell, while the Main Break inside breaks at 4-8ft on the same swell.
The wave is famously consequential: take-offs are critical, hold-downs are long, and the inside reef is sharp. This is the venue for the WSL Margaret River Pro most years.
Suitable for experienced surfers only.
North Point, 5 minutes south of Yallingup, is one of the hollowest right-hand barrels in Australia. A short, intense wave over a shallow reef that produces clean cylindrical tubes on the right day (clean SW swell, light SE-E winds, 4-8ft).
Yallingup (Yalls) is the longest right-hand reef wave in the region, a more forgiving alternative to the Bombie that handles up to 10ft cleanly. Three Bears is a series of three right-hand point breaks between Yallingup and Cape Naturaliste, with Mama, Papa, and Baby Bears each working on slightly different swell sizes.
Smiths Beach offers a beach break alternative when the reefs are too big. Bone Yards is a wide, exposed beach break south of Margaret River township.
Cobblestones is a powerful left-hander further south. Lefthanders, near Cape Leeuwin at the southern tip, is a long left-hand reef break that works on north-facing swells.
Honeycombs, near the same area, is one of WA's most consistent reef breaks.
When to go
March through October is the surf window. April through July typically delivers the largest, most powerful swells of the year (Indian Ocean storm season).
October and November offer more manageable conditions with lighter winds. Summer (December through February) is the quietest season but still produces rideable surf on smaller days.
SE-E winds in autumn keep the breaks clean. SW winter swells regularly exceed 15ft on the outer reefs.
Where to stay
Margaret River township sits 8km inland and is the obvious base for first-timers: wineries, cafes, accommodation, food. Prevelly Beach, 8km west of town, sits closer to Surfers Point and the southern breaks.
Yallingup village, 45 minutes north of Margaret River township, anchors the northern Cape to Cape corridor with closer access to Yalls, North Point, and Three Bears. Dunsborough offers more accommodation options near Yallingup.
Logistics
Perth Airport (PER) is 3 hours drive north of Margaret River township. There are no convenient domestic flights to the region.
Rental car is essential: distances between breaks are short (5-30 minutes) but no public transport links them. Bring a 4/3 wetsuit minimum, 5/4 for winter, and a step-up board (6'4 to 7'2) for the bigger reef days.
Safety
The Margaret River main break and the outer Cape reefs sit in known white pointer shark zones. The WA government runs a tagged shark monitoring program.
Stay aware: paddle in groups when possible, avoid dawn and dusk sessions, do not surf alone at remote breaks. Reef cuts are common: bring a basic first aid kit.
The reefs are shallow at the take-off zones of North Point and Bone Yards. Beginners and intermediates should stick to Smiths Beach and the protected zones at Prevelly.
The questions we get asked most
The main break is for experienced surfers only. North Point is barrel hunting territory for advanced surfers. Yallingup and Smiths Beach offer more forgiving alternatives that suit confident intermediates on smaller days. Beginners should stick to Smiths Beach and book lessons through local schools.
March through October. April through July delivers the largest, most powerful swells (Indian Ocean storm season). October and November offer more manageable conditions with lighter winds. SE-E winds in autumn keep the breaks clean. Surf is rideable year-round.
The Margaret River main break and the outer Cape reefs sit in known white pointer shark zones. The WA government runs a tagged shark monitoring program and shark alerts SMS service. Paddle in groups when possible. Avoid dawn and dusk sessions. Do not surf alone at remote breaks.