Anzacs (Cape Woolamai)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Anzacs (Cape Woolamai) is an exposed, very consistent beach break on the Phillip Island coast, known for powerful surf that can hold significant size. Surf forecasts and spot guidance both emphasize its reliability, making it a go-to option when conditions line up—especially with northeast winds that help groom the wave face. The spot is high risk despite its surf appeal. It is unpatrolled and reports consistently point to strong rip currents/dangerous rips, heavy shorebreak, rocks at the ends of the beach stretch, and shark presence. Guidance also stresses checking the swell size carefully before entering, since conditions can be larger than they look from the dunes. For surfing, multiple descriptions align on a high-performance beach break with powerful, sometimes hollow/peeling sections and fast peel speed. The break is generally suited to intermediate through advanced surfers, with the spot becoming increasingly demanding as swell and water movement increase. Rides can extend substantially depending on sandbar setup, and on larger days the break can maintain shape but paddling out becomes more difficult due to the heavy, moving whitewater. Beyond surfing, the exposure and hazards make wind-based water sports extremely advanced. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are described as expert-level wave conditions, while wingfoiling is generally not recommended due to extreme wave power and turbulent landing/launching conditions. If you go, prioritize safety gear and self-sufficiency: rescue availability is reported as limited.
- Very consistent, exposed beach break
- Northeast winds can groom the wave face
- Powerful surf that can hold big waves and hollow sections
- Very consistent exposed beach break
- Can hold significant size with fast sections
- Car parking and toilet facilities on site area/nearby access
- Unpatrolled and not suitable for swimmers
- Dangerous rip currents and heavy shorebreak
- Rocks and sharks
- Conditions can be much larger than they appear from the dunes
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, E
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Northeast/offshore winds are best for surf grooming; regional winds are often driven by strong frontal systems and in summer can include thermal/sea-breeze effects.
- Reliability
- very consistent
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- April
- Shadow Zones
- High dunes can create slight turbulence very close to the shore in strong offshore winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Big — Big swell potential with heavy shorebreak.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with significant space at most tide levels; dunes are sensitive and should be avoided.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Difficult due to exposure, heavy shorebreak, and strong rip currents.
Through the year
Peak crowds during summer school holidays and weekends; much quieter during winter months.
Winter (June to August) is generally wetter and prone to cold fronts.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Extremely challenging wave spot only suitable for expert riders due to heavy shorebreak, powerful rips, and often cross-offshore wind.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Powerful wave sailing conditions in a highly exposed environment; advanced wave-riding skills required for managing heavy water and current.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.3 m²
Generally not recommended due to extreme wave power and heavy shorebreak; turbulent conditions make launching and landing very difficult.
- Foil Friendly
- No
Exposed, consistent beach break that picks up a lot of swell and can hold significant size with fast, sometimes hollow sections.
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open southern coast exposure with heavy shorebreak.
- Wind Effect
- Best on northeast winds which groom/offshore the wave face; cross-onshore winds from the South or West quickly make it messy.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds big waves and maintains shape up to double overhead, but paddling out becomes very difficult due to constant water movement and heavy whitewater.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Also described as having good wave quality due to very consistent surf.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Sources also describe peeling sections; overall the break can offer hollow/fast lines.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides can be 50 to 150 meters depending on sandbar configuration.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer rides between 50 to 150 meters depending on the sandbar configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Anzacs (Cape Woolamai) in the full forecast view.
Anzacs (Cape Woolamai) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–15 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- WSW252°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2615 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–0.8 m9s period
- Temperature
- 10–18 °C
Over the next 7 days, Anzacs (Cape Woolamai) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.5–0.8 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- sharks
- dangerous rips
- strong rip currents
- heavy shorebreak
- cold water
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard coverage is reported for nearby main Woolamai periods; the specific Anzacs area is unpatrolled per spot guidance.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated rescue service for the spot outside patrolled areas/times.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, dial 000. Nearest major medical facilities are in Wonthaggi; a local surf life saving club is active at the main Woolamai beach nearby during peak periods.
Rules of the spot
Unpatrolled and not suitable for swimmers; follow standard surfing etiquette and respect the local lineup.
- unpatrolled
- unsuitable for swimmers
- not recommended for inexperienced surfers
- Always check swell size before entering—conditions can be larger than they look from the dunes.
- Identify rip currents before paddling out; rips can help you get past the break but are dangerous if you aren’t a strong swimmer.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Phillip Island
- Nearest Town
- Cape Woolamai
- Parking
- Car parking available at the spot; public parking at the main Cape Woolamai Surf Life Saving Club car park can fill quickly on summer weekends.
- Access
- Accessible via a walking track from the Cape Woolamai surf beach car park; requires a walk along the beach to reach the specific Anzacs section.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various holiday rentals and caravan parks are located within the Cape Woolamai and Newhaven areas.
- Food & Drink
- A small selection of cafes and a general store are located in the Cape Woolamai township.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in nearby Cowes or Newhaven offer rentals and gear.
- Gear Storage
- Limited dedicated gear storage; most visitors use private accommodation or vehicle-based storage.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs available at surf shops in Cowes.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Phillip Island is a premier tourism destination combining rugged natural beauty with unique wildlife encounters, well-suited for families and adventure seekers.
World-famous attraction where little penguins return to shore at sunset.
Coastal boardwalks offering views of Seal Rocks and the rugged southern coastline.
Historic homestead and working farm showing early European settlement.
World-class motor racing track offering go-karting and guided tours.
Fresh local seafood and daily pelican feeding.
Theme park with illusions, puzzles, and a giant maze.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Anzacs (Cape Woolamai)?
The best overall months at Anzacs (Cape Woolamai) are March, April, May. The best wind months are April.
Which wind directions work at Anzacs (Cape Woolamai)?
Anzacs (Cape Woolamai) works with N, NE, E winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Anzacs (Cape Woolamai)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Anzacs (Cape Woolamai): Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4.2–5.3 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Anzacs (Cape Woolamai) suitable for?
Anzacs (Cape Woolamai) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Expert · Windsurfing: Expert · Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.