Surf spot

Coolangatta

Forecast conditions and map view for Coolangatta in Australia, QLD, Gold Coast. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Australia, QLD, Gold Coast
Coordinates: -28.1656, 153.5399

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)	0.9	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.1	1	1	0.7	0.7	1.1	0.9	1	1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.3	0.4	0.9	1.5	1.2	1.1	1.1	0.4	0.5	1.2	1.6	1.5	1.4	1	1	1	1.2	1.3	1.3
Wave direction	SE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ESE	ESE	SSE	SSE	SE	SE	SSE	SSE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SSE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE
Wave period (s)	6.9	5.3	5.4	5.3	5.3	6.7	6.8	6.5	7.3	7.8	5.5	5.8	5.3	5.5	5.4	5.3	5.3	5.5	5.6	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.3	5.4	5.4	5.5	4.8	5.1	5.3	5.7	5.7	5.5	5.5	5.3	5.7	5.2	5.5	6.3	8.4	7.2	8.2	8.3	8	8	11.1	10.8	8.1	7.1	6.3	6.3	8.8	8.2	8.2	7.3	6.8	6.8
Wave energy (kJ)	77	74	84	88	78	101	100	81	50	63	69	60	58	57	54	54	51	51	49	44	40	38	32	32	30	26	18	21	22	20	22	21	21	19	20	18	14	9	18	79	307	198	153	164	36	53	174	252	167	158	163	140	129	153	154	154
Wind speed (km/h)	8.4	8.7	8	10.2	5.2	10.6	8.3	4.8	6.2	6.1	5.5	9.7	12.6	9.9	2.9	3.6	5.6	5.7	3.9	7.3	11.2	9.3	4.4	4.8	4.8	4.5	4.1	11.9	17.1	13	10.8	10	8.9	6.4	8.4	16.3	17.3	20.1	21.3	18.4	14	14.9	11.9	17.3	13.6	17.7	14.8	13.6	10.8	8.1	6.5	10.5	14	13.3	2.8	5.2
Wind direction	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SOffshore	SSECross-off	SECross-off	SECross	SCross-off	SSWGlassy	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	ESECross	ESECross-on	ECross-on	SGlassy	SWGlassy	WSWOffshore	SWOffshore	SWGlassy	ECross-on	ENEOnshore	NEOnshore	NGlassy	NWGlassy	WNWGlassy	WNWGlassy	NWGlassy	NOnshore	NNEOnshore	NCross-on	NNWCross-on	NNWCross-on	NNWCross-on	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SOffshore	SCross-off	SCross-off	SCross-off	SOffshore	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SCross-off	SSWOffshore	SOffshore	SOffshore	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SWOffshore	SCross-off	SECross	ESECross	SWGlassy	WSWCross-off

Coolangatta, QLD (Gold Coast), Australia is one of the most famous surf areas on the Gold Coast, sitting right near the NSW border. It’s known for consistent beach breaks, point breaks, and relatively user-friendly waves compared with some of the heavier spots nearby.

Spot description

Wave type: Mostly beach break with nearby point breaks and reefs in the broader Coolangatta area.
Wave quality: Can be excellent when conditions align, especially with the right swell direction and offshore winds.
Best swell: East to southeast swells generally light it up well.
Wind: Offshore westerly to southwesterly winds are usually ideal.
Skill level: Ranges from beginner-friendly on smaller days to intermediate/advanced when the surf gets bigger and more powerful.
Crowds: Often busy, especially because it’s such a well-known surfing destination.
Hazards: Rips, changing sandbanks, and heavier surf on larger swells.

Conditions and character

Coolangatta is known for having a classic Gold Coast vibe: warm water, sunshine, and plenty of surf culture. On the right day, it can offer long, fun walls and clean peaks. On crowded summer days it may be less forgiving due to board traffic and shorebreak, while winter swells can bring more size and consistency.

Nearby notable surf areas

Snapper Rocks
Rainbow Bay
Greenmount
Kirra

These nearby breaks are often considered part of the broader Coolangatta surf zone and are some of the most iconic waves in Australia.