Surf spot

Three Bays Coolum

Forecast conditions and map view for Three Bays Coolum in Australia, QLD, Sunshine Coast. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Australia, QLD, Sunshine Coast
Coordinates: -26.5421, 153.0990

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)	1	0.9	0.9	0.9	1	0.9	0.8	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.4	0.5	0.7	1.4	1.5	1.4	1.2	0.6	0.6	0.8	1.4	1.5	1.5	1	1	0.9	0.8	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9
Wave direction	E	E	ESE	E	ESE	ESE	E	ESE	ESE	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	ESE	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	ESE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	ESE	ESE	ESE	ESE
Wave period (s)	4.8	5	4.8	5	5.3	4.9	4.6	4.5	4.6	4.6	4.7	4.8	4.8	4.7	4.7	4.7	4.7	4.8	4.8	5.3	4.9	5.2	5.1	5	5.2	5	5	5.1	5.3	5.5	5.3	5.8	8.3	7.2	6.9	7.2	7.5	8.8	9.1	8.6	7.5	6.7	6.8	6.4	7.7	7.7	6	5.5	5.5	5.9	8	8	5.9	6	5.7	6.3
Wave energy (kJ)	45	40	37	42	54	37	30	31	34	30	35	38	39	34	29	25	22	24	23	18	24	26	24	25	25	24	22	21	19	15	9	18	71	200	220	200	164	56	52	103	205	199	197	89	108	103	48	47	41	40	56	56	54	55	47	67
Wind speed (km/h)	8	8.8	9.4	12.5	13.8	11.8	5.8	4.4	4.8	5.6	6.1	9.2	10.2	8.2	2.8	2.5	5.2	4.5	3.3	7.1	12.7	10.2	6.2	6.4	6.9	6.4	5.5	16.6	20	22.9	22.1	22.6	21.3	14.5	10.4	17.3	21.1	15	19.7	17.9	12.8	9.4	8.4	14.8	13.8	9.8	3.1	4.3	5.2	4.2	3.8	7.2	13.5	10.7	6.2	5.9
Wind direction	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SOffshore	SSEOffshore	SECross-off	SECross-off	SOffshore	SGlassy	SSWGlassy	SWCross-off	SSWCross-off	SECross-off	ESECross-off	ESECross-off	SEGlassy	WGlassy	WSWCross	WSWGlassy	WGlassy	ENECross-on	ENECross-on	NECross-on	NOnshore	NWCross-on	NWCross-on	NWCross-on	WNWCross-on	SSEOffshore	SSEOffshore	SSEOffshore	SSEOffshore	SSEOffshore	SSEOffshore	SOffshore	SSWOffshore	SSEOffshore	SSEOffshore	SSEOffshore	SSEOffshore	SOffshore	SOffshore	SSWOffshore	SSWOffshore	SSEOffshore	SECross-off	SECross-off	SSEGlassy	WSWGlassy	WSWCross	WSWGlassy	WNWGlassy	NECross-on	ENECross-on	NECross-on	NOnshore	NWCross-on

Three Bays, Coolum (Sunshine Coast, QLD) is a scenic, beachy surf spot on the Sunshine Coast with a relaxed local vibe. It’s typically a sand-bottom break spread across a few adjacent bays, which is why it’s known for offering different small peaks rather than one single defined wave. The area can handle a mix of conditions depending on swell direction and sand movement, and it’s often most enjoyable on clean, mid-sized surf with light winds.

What it’s like

Type: Beachbreak / multiple peaks
Wave quality: Can be fun and playful, especially when the sandbanks line up
Best for: Beginners to intermediates on smaller days; more experienced surfers when conditions are pumping
Crowds: Can get busy, especially in good, user-friendly surf
Vibe: Laid-back coastal atmosphere with a local Sunshine Coast feel

Conditions

Works best with a clean swell and favorable wind
Can be inconsistent depending on sandbar shape and recent weather
Generally better when there’s enough size to make the banks work, but not too much onshore chop

Hazards / things to know

Changing sandbanks can make the wave unpredictable
Rip currents may form, as with many beach breaks
Can be crowded when conditions are good
Watch for rocks or exposed features depending on the exact bay and tide

Nearby feel

Coolum is a classic Sunshine Coast beach town, so the spot is usually paired with a casual, beach-holiday atmosphere, plus cafes, headlands, and a beautiful coastline nearby.