Gold Coast Surfing
The Gold Coast has some of the best, most consistent waves in the nation; it's home to round one of the Association of Surfing Professionals world tour; there are 70km of beaches and four epic point breaks. It would be appropriate to call it a surfers' paradise; and they did.
In fact, getting a wave on the Gold Coast is as easy as heading east. When the wind is right and the swell is from the east (usually in the morning) the beach breaks light up and surfers are almost guaranteed a wave. Those sorts of conditions happen about once a week on average, with one to two foot swells the norm throughout the year across most of the beaches. However, the truly great swells only hit once every couple of months, and as the beach breaks only handle up to about four foot of swell, the points get more crowded than Kmart on Christmas Eve when it's pumping, and the locals are more protective of their turf than Magpies in Spring.
Gold Coast surfing guide — where to go to get the best waves
Gold Coast Beach Breaks
There are some great beach breaks all along the coast. Some of the best banks are at The Spit, Main Beach, Narrowneck, Palm Beach and Mermaid beach. At times these can carry some awesome waves especially when there are cyclones about. For the rest of the time they offer reasonable waves without the crowds that are usually at the point breaks. It's a Boogie Boarder's paradise but get in early before the wind gets up. Kite surfing is big at Narrowneck.
Gold Coast Point Breaks
Snapper Rocks Superbank
The now legendary 'Superbank' breaks just north of the NSW/Qld border, starting at Snapper Rocks, can hold out in massive swells, and is home to the longest rideable waves in the world. It's consistent, but possibly the most crowded wave in Australia and when it's pumping, the locals guard the water fiercely. On any truly good day there will be a number of world champions in the water, so unless you're a world class sufer, a local, or preferably both, you won't see the inside of a barrel. Check out Snapper Rocks.com or Snapper Rocks.com.au for more info
Burleigh Heads
The grand-daddy of Gold Coast point breaks, Burleigh is an absolutely classic right-hander which holds bigger swells than pretty much any other point between Fiji and Bells Beach. When it's small, it's still surfable, but when things get going, the wave is legendary.
Kirra
Before the Superbank was created Kirra was the favourite wave on the Gold Coast — sadly, the shape of Rainbow Bay in which it sits has changed so much that Kirra now plays second-fiddle to Snapper. It still holds its own, in fact, in cyclone swells it becomes part of the Superbank, but it's now considered the older, less popular brother of Snapper.
South Stradbroke Island (Straddie)
If you're not scared of sharks, or ships, South Stradbroke Island is one of the cleanest, most consistent breaks in Queensland. Getting there involves a paddle across the Gold Coast Seaway, but it's worth the effort, especially at sunrise.