Surf spot

Ratchet

Forecast conditions and map view for Ratchet in Australia, QLD, Far North West. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Australia, QLD, Far North West
Coordinates: -16.6307, 145.5531

Metric
Metric	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00
Wave height (m)	0.8	0.8	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.6	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.4	0.5	0.6	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.5	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7
Wave direction	E	ESE	E	E	E	E	E	ESE	ESE	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	ENE	E	E	E	E
Wave period (s)	5.5	5.5	6.2	5.8	5.9	5.9	5.3	5.5	5.7	5.8	5.5	5.6	6	5.9	5.7	5.8	6.1	5.6	5.5	5.5	6.9	5.8	5.3	5.3	5.4	5.5	5.4	5.5	5.7	5.6	5.5	5.7	5.5	5.5	5.3	5.3	5.5	5.6	5.2	5.3	4.3	5	4.8	5.3	6.7	5.3	5.4	5	5.3	5.5	6.8	7.2	7.5	7.6	6.5	6.5
Wave energy (kJ)	38	37	26	23	20	19	19	26	28	29	34	33	27	23	30	19	20	26	31	28	26	21	22	24	29	33	34	29	21	21	21	17	22	22	23	21	19	17	18	15	12	17	16	13	13	15	24	30	29	32	37	24	49	60	38	46
Wind speed (km/h)	17.3	13.7	12.4	23.5	25	22.2	15	13.5	10.1	12.7	17.9	23.8	22.5	22.7	14.8	8.5	7.9	7.2	7.9	21.2	23.6	21.7	14.5	8.9	8.9	15.3	17.3	22.7	23.6	20.9	14.9	8.4	15.8	11.5	11.5	19.3	21.6	17.4	9	4.9	5.3	6.9	6.1	16.6	21	20.4	12.8	15.1	21.6	25.9	27.2	28.9	28.8	25.2	20.2	23.2
Wind direction	SECross-on	SSECross	SSECross	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	SECross-on	SECross-on	SECross	SECross-on	SECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	SECross-on	SSECross	SCross-off	SCross-off	SSECross	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	SECross-on	SSECross	SSECross	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	SECross-on	SSECross	ESECross-on	SECross-on	SECross-on	ESECross-on	EOnshore	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	SSWGlassy	SSWCross-off	SWOffshore	SSWCross-off	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	SECross-on	SECross-on	ESECross-on	SECross-on	SECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	SECross-on	SECross-on

Ratchet (Far North West, QLD, Australia) is a remote, little-known surf spot in far northwestern Queensland, known more for its isolation and rugged tropical coastline than for a polished, consistent surf scene. Spots in this region are typically exposed reef or beach-break setups influenced by the Coral Sea / Gulf of Carpentaria weather patterns, with swell quality often depending on seasonal systems, wind direction, and local reef/bathymetry.

General character

Location: Far North West Queensland, Australia
Setting: Very remote, sparsely developed coastline
Wave type: Likely a mix of reef and/or sand-bottom breaks depending on the exact section of coast
Crowds: Usually minimal to none due to the isolation
Best for: Experienced surfers who can handle remote travel, variable conditions, and limited rescue access

What to expect

Inconsistent surf: Waves can be highly tide- and wind-dependent.
Tropical conditions: Warm water year-round, but also heat, humidity, and the possibility of crocodiles or marine stingers depending on the area.
Logistics: Access may be difficult, with long drives, rough roads, and limited services.
Hazards: Remote reefs, shallow sections, strong currents, and no nearby support.

When it may work best

During seasonal swell events and periods of clean offshore winds
Often when local winds are light or favorable and a swell angle lines up with the coastline/reef