Surf local guide: Where to surf for longboarding on the Gold Coast, and where to eat after.
The Gold Coast is a surfer’s paradise, with a plethora of picture-perfect reeling right pointbreaks, over 50 kilometers of beautiful beaches, year-round professional lifeguard patrols, and crystal clear, warm water.
The area boasts some of the best and most consistent waves in Australia, with conditions to suit all skill levels. Amongst the abundance of surf spots on offer, there are four that are fantastic breaks for those wanting to try their longboards on the Gold Coast.
Gold Coast, Queensland
Source: Instagram @surfers
Surfing the Gold Coast
When you know where to go, longboarding the Gold Coast is an absolute dream for any keen logger. As always with surfing, getting tips, tricks, and advice from a local always pay dividends. So we’ve done some digging with our good friends over in sunny Australia and they have been kind enough to tell us their five top tips for the area. The list includes the four best breaks for longboarding the Gold Coast and a chill-out spot that’s not to be missed!
Our friend Macarena, based in Queensland, wearing Medewi one-piece in storm print
Click on the picture to view the products.
Where to go longboarding - Gold Coast
The Superbank is a surf break located in Coolangatta, Gold Coast, Australia. On special days It offers one of the longest wave rides in the world. On a regular daily basis, you have three surf spots, Snapper rocks, Greenmount, and Kirra. Depending on the conditions, the two first spots will be more suitable for shortboarding, but in calmer conditions it can also be also good for longboarding.
Between October to May the Gold Coast can offer pleasant beach weather, but the best conditions for the beach are from December to April. In the area surrounding Rainbow Bay there are arguably some of the finest right hand surf breaks in Queensland . The 3 points that form good surf breaks and swimming spots include- Snapper rocks which is generally suited for experienced/advanced surfers on a big swell and Rainbow Bay and Kirra which are more ideal for beginners to intermediate surfers.
(Here is a map, so you can have a visualise where the spots are located)
Map of the main surf spots in Gold Coast
Source: WSL
Snapper Rocks
Snapper Rocks forms part of The Superbank; a large sand bank which extends along the coast and runs into other sections of the beach. Under peak conditions it is a freak of nature, famous for regularly producing barrels, however in calmer conditions it is perfect for longboarding.
Snapper Rocks
Source: Pinterest
Rather than taking off behind the rocks, you’ll want to position yourself to the right of them to cruise off for hundreds of meters on this gorgeous right-hander. The wave leads on into Little Marley, then traverses Rainbow Bay and finishes up at Greenmount.
Snapper Rocks
Source: Instagram @simonbeedlephotography
Greenmount
Greenmount has a rich longboarding heritage and although it can draw crowds, it’s definitely a fun wave. Located between Snapper Rocks and Kirra at the eastern end of Coolangatta beach, Greenmount forms part of The Superbank.
Greenmount offers gentle, long and mellow rides in a stunning area at the southern end of the Gold Coast with clear water and picturesque coastline. The tree-lined point creates long right-handers and offers a bit of protection from the South East winds as the waves curl around the headland, breaking on a sandbank.
Greenmouth Beach
Source:Pinterest
Kirra Beach
Kirra beach is located at the end of the Superbank, making it the one of the most protected beaches along this coastline.
Unlike the other spots which are highly exposed to big swells and wind, Kirra beach is sheltered from these elements making it an excellent surf spot for longboarding as well as shortboarding, with less currents this creates one of most user friendly and safe spots in the area.
Kirra Beach is one of the most user friendly beaches on the Gold Coast because it is a protected beach. If we compare it to the other beaches on the Gold Coast, most of them are open to the main swell and wind, being dangerous with large waves and strong currents.
Located at the edge of the Superbank, Kirra Beach shelters from these dangers and as a result, it is usually a very safe spot. Suitable for longboarding and shortboard.
Kirra Beach
Source: big4 holiday park
Burleigh
Burleigh has benefitted from the rise of the Superbank, with visiting crowds these days tending to stay more towards Coolangatta. Similar to the Superbank, it starts out very fast and hollow, so this starting section is not suited to longboarders.
The wave does however get far more approachable as it peels off down the point towards the main beach of Burleigh.
Another perk of this peak is its location in a beautiful National Park.
Burleigh Beach
Source:Pinterest
Currumbin Beach
Currumbin Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches with crystal clear water in the Gold Coast. Beside The Rock is Currumbin Creek’s entrance to the ocean, known as The Alley, which has very consistent world-class waves and a good right-hand break, wonderful for intermediate to advanced surfers. It also has an easier inside section of the wave, suited for beginner surfers, longboard riders, and body surfers. It is the perfect spot to learn to surf, because it is protected from the wind.
Currumbin Beach
source: Instagram tanyazstrong
Marina wearing Seseh rashguard and Sanur bottom in black
Click on the picture to view the products
Noosa Heads
This is a little bit of a cheat, as Noosa is on the Sunshine Coast rather than the Gold Coast, but as a stunning longboarding wave in the area, we’d be remiss not to mention it.
Noosa Heads offers some of the most photogenic breaks around. Whether you’re a beginner looking for an ideal swell or a pro rider wanting to catch a genuine 200m ride, there are many breaks along Noosa Heads to sample. Catering to all or set abilities, the beaches here are some of Australia’s best surf spots in tranquil waters.
Noosa beach
Source: Instagram @tonynoosa
Where to get your surf photos on the Gold coast:
Getting some shots in the water is an easy and fun way to improve and get better at your surfing. If you are interested in getting some photos in the water while you are sliding some waves for yourself or with a fun group of friends, here are some popular surf photographers in the Gold coast:
IG: @wen.surfphotography
email: Wen.surfphotography@gmail.com
IG: @marinaemerald
Where to chill and eat after surfing the Gold Coast
Around Burleigh you will find a bunch of cool cafes, it is the place where people go to hang out after surfing. We asked again to our local friends in the area and they mention the next spots:
OakBerry
Located in San James street, OakBerry has an amazing selection of every type of fruit bowl that you can imagine, with an amazing selection and the option to customize your own bowl. Make sure to check this place after your surf session to regain some energy with fresh bowls full of vitamins.
LOCATION: 1/30 James Street. Burleigh Heads
IG: https://www.instagram.com/oakberryau/?hl=en
Açaí bowls australia
.
OakBerry restaurant and bowls in Burleigh
OakBerry acai bowls
Tarte Bakery & cafe
Located in the leafy Burleigh Heads, Tarte Bakery & Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and fresh pastries daily.
They open from 6:30am until 3pm, 7 days a week.
IG: https://www.instagram.com/tartebakery/?hl=en
1748 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Tarte Bakery & cafe
Burleigh Pavilion
Prime location with good food, this beachfront restaurant has possibly the most prime view of the ocean on the Gold Coast. This is the place to come and enjoy with friends, family and large groups of people.
Location: 3/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads.
IG: https://www.instagram.com/burleighpavilion/?hl=en
Burleigh Pavilion
Las Palmas
Bringing some Latino flavors to the gold coast.
The menu is designed to be shared with friends giving the opportunity to combine and try more flavors.
Located:Level 1, 1097 Gold Coast Highway Palm Beach QLD 4221
IG: https://www.instagram.com/laspalmaspb/?hl=en
Las Palmas restaurant
Medewi surf onepiece * Black & Storm Print
Our friend Macarena, based in Queensland, wearing Medewi one-piece in storm print
Click on the picture to view the products.
Medewi one-piece in storm print
Click on the picture to view the products.