13th Beach (Geelong)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Ocean
- Spot Type
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Range
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
13th Beach (Thirteenth Beach) is an exposed Bass Strait ocean beach near Barwon Heads that mixes small-wave/flat-water conditions for kitesurfing with consistent sandbar beach-break surfing. Water is commonly described as crystal-clear, and the setup is influenced by a fronted single bar/sandbar formation with multiple peaks along the beach stretch. For wind sports, the best wind directions fall in the SE through SW sector (SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW). Peak kiting months are January, February, March, April, November, and December, with winter-to-summer seasonal wind support. Sea-breeze patterns are common, and summer sessions are often afternoon-driven; a typical thermal window reported for the region is around 14:00 to 20:00. Typical wind speeds are described by one source as roughly 15–25 knots, with generally steady-to-light gust behavior. Safety at 13th Beach is strongly dominated by rips: strong rip currents and rips are repeatedly flagged, along with rocks and reef outcrops at low tide. Many kiters launch around marker 40W, and riders are advised to watch for rips (reported spacing varies by source) and to check tide before heading out because some reef sections can become exposed and more dangerous at low tide. Lifeguards are described as seasonal, with seasonal patrol coverage by the local Surf Life Saving Club.
- Marker 40W is a commonly used launch reference for kiters
- SE–SW sea-breeze wind sector with strong seasonal kiting months
- Surf and wave options across the beach stretch, best often at mid tide
- Crystal-clear water and consistent sandbar-style beach-break terrain
- Reliable sea-breeze wind in the SE/S to SW sector during peak months
- Works across tides, with mid tide commonly described as best for surf
- Exposed ocean setting with strong rip currents and lateral drift depending on conditions
- Rocks/reef hazards at low tide
- Cold water in winter; wetsuit recommended
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze pattern; SE/S/SW sector winds are common in warmer months.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steadier gusting reported for kiting; other sources describe light gusts.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Kitesurf sources describe small waves; surfing sources describe a beach-break that commonly works with around 1.0–2.5 m swell windows.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with space to rig at markers; launch is generally easy from multiple carparks with easier access near the surf club.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — One source describes easy access; another describes launch difficulty as moderate.
Through the year
High on summer weekends and during surf competitions; lower on weekdays.
Winter months see more frequent frontal storms and rain.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat water with small waves; suitable for freeride and wave riding, with consistent conditions for intermediate riders.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Excellent for wave riding and jumping, particularly in SW or SE winds; exposed ocean conditions require experience with shorebreak and currents.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Suitable for experienced wingfoilers comfortable with ocean swell and beach launches; deeper water is accessible beyond the break, with caution around reef sections.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly is described as limited.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed sandbar beach break with multiple peaks; works best around mid tide. One source reports a consistent ~1.5 m wave average and another gives an optimal swell window up to about 2.5 m.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide generally best.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed ocean beach with a sandbar/swell-driven setup.
- Wind Effect
- Best with south–southwest winds for surf quality; North winds are noted as offshore, while east winds are cross-shore.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle significant size but becomes heavy and difficult to paddle out beyond about 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported as good quality with consistent peaks.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Surf sources describe powerful, consistent beach-break surf.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling waves with a medium peel speed reported.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length described as medium; one source quantifies ~50–150 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can form fast walls and occasional barrels depending on sandbar formation; one source notes fast walls and occasional barrels.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for 13th Beach (Geelong) in the full forecast view.
13th Beach (Geelong) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–14 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- WSW237°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2514 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–2.3 m10s period
- Temperature
- 8–18 °C
Over the next 7 days, 13th Beach (Geelong) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 1.1–2.3 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- rips
- strong rip currents
- powerful shorebreak
- reefs at low tide
- sharks
- cold water in winter
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Patrolled seasonally.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is reported as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Barwon Heads 13th Beach Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC); emergency services available in Geelong.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — One source describes no localism; another describes mild localism.
Rules of the spot
Clear-water awareness for rips; avoid creating risk in main flagged swim areas when lifesavers are present. Some no-kiting zones may apply near peak swim hours at the Surf Life Saving Club.
- No-kiting zones may apply in front of the Surf Life Saving Club during peak swim hours.
- Most kiters stop at marker 40W.
- Watch for rips (reported roughly every 250 m).
- Check tide conditions before heading out, as some reef sections can become exposed and dangerous at low tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Geelong
- Nearest Town
- Barwon Heads
- Nearest Airport
- Avalon Airport (AVV)
- Parking
- Multiple car parks available at/near beach markers along Thirteenth Beach Road.
- Public Transport
- V/Line trains from Melbourne to Geelong, then local bus services (Route 55) connecting Geelong to Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove.
- Access
- From Barwon Heads, drive west on Thirteenth Beach Road. Most kiters stop at marker 40W; multiple car parks and access tracks along the road, with best access near the Surf Life Saving Club.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — A wide variety of accommodation is available in Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove, including coastal rentals and caravan parks.
- Food & Drink
- Cafes and restaurants are located about a 5-minute drive away in Barwon Heads; otherwise food/drink is described as limited on-site.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available via schools and surf shops in the immediate Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove area; rental mentioned for nearby town.
- Gear Storage
- Beachside storage lockers are limited; some schools/accommodation may offer storage facilities.
- Gear Repair
- Repair services available in Geelong; equipment rental/repair availability may vary by gear type.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A rugged coastal destination on the Bellarine Peninsula with wild ocean beaches and nearby calmer estuary areas; it’s closely linked to the Great Ocean Road gateway.
One of the world's most scenic coastal drives begins just west of the region at Torquay.
Iconic restaurant located on the jetty at the mouth of the Barwon River with panoramic ocean views.
Safe, shallow waters ideal for families, swimming, and stand-up paddleboarding.
Victoria's biggest theme park, featuring numerous water slides and family attractions.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at 13th Beach (Geelong)?
The best overall months at 13th Beach (Geelong) are November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, November, December.
Which wind directions work at 13th Beach (Geelong)?
13th Beach (Geelong) works with SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at 13th Beach (Geelong)?
Recommended equipment sizes at 13th Beach (Geelong): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is 13th Beach (Geelong) suitable for?
13th Beach (Geelong) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.