Apollo Bay
- Bodyboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Chop, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Apollo Bay is a scenic Great Ocean Road beach and point break known for relatively consistent surf. The most notable feature is a right-hand ride that forms off the jetty/harbor breakwall over rock and sand, alongside more general beach-break options across the main shoreline. For surfing, conditions are reported to work best at low tide, with August highlighted as the top month for the spot. Southwesterly swell is a key ingredient for the right-hand point/harbor setup, and typical wave quality is described as good. The point can hold up better on larger swells, while the main beach may begin to close out as conditions get heavier. Safety is a central consideration: rips are frequently present, especially near the breakwater wall and rocks. The point area includes hard hazards (rocks/jetty/breakwater wall), and heavy shore break can occur during larger swell periods. Follow local flags/marked zones—restrictions on where surfing and kitesurfing are allowed are specifically noted. Beyond surfing, the bay is also described as viable for wind-powered sports when winds align, with kite and windsurf sessions typically benefiting from more southerly/southeasterly directions. For thermal comfort, the water stays cool year-round; wetsuits are generally needed, with seasonal recommendations emphasizing thicker coverage in winter and shoulder-season flexibility in summer.
- Fun right-hander off the harbor jetty/breakwall
- Best tide: low
- Best month: August
- Beginner-friendly beach-break options on the main beach
- Rips commonly form near the breakwater wall
- Consistent surf with a fun right-hander breaking off the jetty/harbor structures
- Main beach options can suit beginners with sandy-bottom beach-break conditions
- Large onshore area with practical launching/landing space
- Good wave quality is commonly reported
- Rips can be common near the breakwater wall and rocks
- Hazards around the point include rocks and the harbor breakwater/jetty
- Can be crowded during school holidays and summer weekends
- Heavy shore break during large swells
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, S, SE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal systems and sea-breeze influence (regionally typical), with seasonal clean periods.
- Reliability
- 61% clean (August monthly clean); 38% blown (August monthly blown)
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Providers describe gustiness as moderate.
- Best Months
- August
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach composition is reported.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Surf size is described as small by one provider.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Water can be choppy.
- Launch
- Medium — Beach and point break area near harbor breakwall/jetty; long wide sandy beach offers space for launching and landing.
Through the year
Can be very crowded during school holidays and summer weekends; relatively quiet on weekdays and in winter.
Rain is most common during the winter and spring months (regional note); winter provides more consistent and larger swell.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Large area for kitesurfing, particularly in Southerly or Southeasterly winds which blow cross-onshore. The harbor area can provide slightly flatter water for freeriding.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Used for coastal freeriding when the wind aligns. It offers plenty of space for sessions.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–6.5 m²
Sandy bottom and generally consistent swell make it viable, with attention needed near the breakwater and for potential rips.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil friendly is stated.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Fun right-hander breaking off a jetty over rock and sand, with main-beach and point/harbor-break characteristics. The harbor breakwater and jetty create a more structured right-hand option.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW, S
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Best tide is low tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Overall described as fairly exposed; the harbor area can feel more sheltered due to the breakwater.
- Wind Effect
- West to Northwest winds are offshore and provide the cleanest conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- The point can hold larger swells, while the main beach may start to close out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good overall wave quality is noted.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power overall.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Right-hand rides peel from the jetty/point.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling on the point; speeds described as medium.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides off the point can extend substantially on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Main options include beginner-friendly beach breaks; the point near the breakwater provides a more structured right that can handle larger swells. Waves off the point can offer rides up to 100 meters on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Apollo Bay in the full forecast view.
Apollo Bay wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–15 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- WSW252°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2815 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 2.1–3.5 m11s period
- Temperature
- 9–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Apollo Bay is forecast for daytime winds of 5–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 2.1–3.5 m with a period of about 11s. 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
- Rip currents (often forms near the breakwater wall)
- Rocks near the point
- Harbor breakwater wall
- Jetty
- Heavy shore break during large swells
- Rip currents (frequently present along the main beach, particularly near the breakwater and rocks)
- Rock, jetty
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence is mentioned.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited locally.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number is 000 (Australia). Apollo Bay Hospital is located nearby on McLachlan Street.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism is noted.
Rules of the spot
Be aware of designated swimming zones marked by flags where surfing and kitesurfing are restricted. No surfing in between the flags.
- No surfing in between the flags
- Be careful of the rip that often forms near the breakwater wall.
- Beginners should stick to the middle of the beach away from the rocks.
- The point near the harbor is best during a SW swell and W wind.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Apollo Bay
- Nearest Town
- Apollo Bay
- Parking
- Parking available near the beach/harbor; extensive parking along the foreshore and in the harbor car park.
- Access
- Located on the eastern side of Cape Otway in Victoria, accessible via Great Ocean Road.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels, motels, and caravan parks are located within walking distance of the beach.
- Food & Drink
- A wide variety of cafes, bakeries, and restaurants are located on the main street across from the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available at local surf shops and via the surf school; wind-specific gear rental is limited locally.
- Gear Storage
- Available at some local accommodation providers and surf clubs.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repairs are available at local shops; some areas also note basic surfboard repair.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A premier Great Ocean Road stop with a dramatic coastal backdrop where hills meet the Southern Ocean.
One of the world's most scenic coastal drives.
Panoramic views over the town and coastline.
Ziplining and treetop walks in the rainforest.
Classic pub dining with ocean views.
Grassy areas, playgrounds, and safe swimming beaches.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Apollo Bay?
The best overall months at Apollo Bay are August.
Which wind directions work at Apollo Bay?
Apollo Bay works with SW, S, SE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Apollo Bay?
Recommended equipment sizes at Apollo Bay: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Apollo Bay suitable for?
Apollo Bay suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.