Tarcoola - chanties

Tarcoola – Chanties is a surf break on the Perth North coast in Western Australia. It’s part of the stretch of reefy/generally exposed coastline north of Perth, so it can pick up solid Southwest swell and is often best when the conditions line up with a clean offshore or light easterly wind.

What it’s like

• Type: Generally a reef/point-style wave rather than a soft beach break
• Wave quality: Can produce fun, peaky waves with decent shape when the swell direction and sand/reef setup are right
• Crowds: Usually less crowded than the more famous Perth breaks, though conditions and local knowledge matter
• Access: Often requires a bit of knowledge of the area and entry points, as with many coastal spots north of Perth

Best conditions

• Swell: Best on a medium to solid SW swell
• Wind: Easterly / offshore is typically ideal for cleaner faces
• Tide: Tides can matter a lot on reefy spots; mid tide is often a good starting point, though this can vary

Things to know

• The area can be reef-heavy and shallow, so it’s best suited to surfers who are comfortable with reef breaks and changing conditions.
• Like many WA surf spots, conditions can go from average to excellent quickly depending on swell period, wind, and tide.