Augusta Rivermouth
- Freestyle, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- 15–40 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Augusta Rivermouth is the kitesurfing-focused launch area at the mouth of the Blackwood River, where sheltered inlet water meets more exposed river-mouth conditions. Water is typically described as crystal clear with sand bottoms and a big beach/spit layout that provides room to set up. For wind sports, the dominant pattern is a reliable southerly to south-westerly sea breeze that peaks in the summer months. Reported best wind directions include SE, SSE, S, and SSW, with typical wind speeds often in the 15–30 knot range and summer sessions sometimes running higher. Inside the inlet, riders often find smoother water, while the river mouth can add texture in the form of small waves/bumps. Safety is a key theme here: strong tidal and river-mouth currents are repeatedly highlighted, alongside hazards such as rocks, sharks/animals, and varying depths around sandbars and channels. Wind can also become turbulent in deadwater areas, and boat traffic/marked swimming areas need to be respected, including potential seasonal no-kiting zones near protected bird nesting areas. Surfing is possible but generally unreliable at this exposed river break, with conditions depending on sandbar setup and sufficient swell. Sources describe average wave quality and a tendency for the break to become dangerous on heavier winter swell due to currents and closeouts—so it’s best treated as a secondary option compared with the wind-sports use case.
- Flat-water kitesurfing potential inside the estuary
- Consistent summer sea breezes for wind sports
- Crystal-clear sand-bottom water
- Strong, consistent summer sea-breeze wind window makes it a go-to wind spot
- Inside-estuary water can be very flat and suitable for progression
- Clear water conditions are commonly reported
- Kitesurfing is the best-supported sport for this location
- Currents can be strong at the river mouth
- Rocks and variable depths/sandbars increase risk
- Surf is unreliable and can be hazardous on bigger swells with strong currents
- Wind/conditions can be gusty in some deadwater areas
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE, SSE, ESE, S, SSW
- Offshore directions
- NNW, N
- Wind Range
- 15–40 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Consistent southerly to south-westerly sea-breeze pattern (often described as the local “Fremantle Doctor” influence in summer).
- Reliability
- High during summer months (roughly Oct–Mar), with a higher likelihood of windy days in the core season.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Sources differ: one describes steady conditions; another describes lighter gusting at times.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Small wave/bump conditions at the river mouth; waves described as unreliable for surfing.
- Launch
- Big — A large sandy spit (~2 km) with an estuary-side sheltered section and an exposed ocean side.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
Through the year
Can get busy during summer holidays and long weekends.
June–August brings heavy rain and strong frontal winds.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat water inside the estuary can be very suitable for beginners, while small waves/bumps near the river mouth suit intermediate to advanced riders; conditions can be gusty in parts of the deadwater area.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Highly regarded for flat-water blasting and speed runs inside the inlet.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–7 m²
Excellent for foiling due to consistent wind and protected flat-water areas.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.0m stay in channels or further out from sandbars
- Wing Sizes
- 3–5 m²
Unreliable river-mouth break that depends on specific sandbar conditions and moderate swell; can close out or become dangerous with heavy currents during big winter swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW, WSW
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Other sources also describe the break as working across all tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Fairly exposed river mouth; not well protected.
- Wind Effect
- South/Southeast winds are cross-shore; West winds are onshore (conditions described as not ideal for clean surf). Offshore from the NNW/N sector is reported as creating the best conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out or become dangerous with heavy currents during big winter swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality described as average/variable.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Overall surfing is described as unreliable.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Break can become dangerous on bigger winter swells with strong currents.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peels to the right is also reported by another source; wave direction is noted as mixed overall.
- Ride Length
- Short
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Augusta Rivermouth in the full forecast view.
Augusta Rivermouth wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–15 ktsGusts 30 kts
- Direction
- S182°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2415 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–3.1 m10s period
- Temperature
- 11–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Augusta Rivermouth is forecast for daytime winds of 3–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.9–3.1 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
- Strong currents at the river mouth
- Rocks at the river mouth
- Rip currents
- Sharks
- Boats
- Varying depths and sandbars
- Animals
- Sandbars
- Boat channel markers
- Driftwood
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is described as limited in the region; ocean-side may be occasionally patrolled during peak summer periods.
- Emergency Info
- Augusta District Hospital is the nearest medical facility; for life-threatening emergencies dial 000.
Rules of the spot
Give way to boat traffic in the main channel; avoid kiting in marked swimming areas. Give-way / no-kiting zone rules may apply seasonally near protected bird nesting areas.
- No-kiting zones near protected bird nesting areas may apply seasonally.
- Avoid kiting in marked swimming areas.
- The outgoing tide can be very strong—beginners should stay in the shallows.
- The deadwater area can be very gusty.
- Watch for dolphins, which are frequent visitors.
- Watch out for strong currents at the river mouth and for rocks.
- If kiting, keep an eye on marked swimming areas and seasonal no-kiting zones.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Busselton
- Nearest Town
- Augusta
- Nearest Airport
- Busselton Margaret River Airport (BQB) and Perth International Airport (PER)
- Parking
- Public parking available at the river mouth and near the caravan park.
- Public Transport
- Limited public bus services; private vehicle recommended for access.
- Access
- Located at the mouth of the Blackwood River in East Augusta; accessible via Albany Terrace with direct beach access points near the mouth.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping and caravan parks are located directly adjacent to the inlet; townsite accommodation is also nearby.
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes and shops are available in the Augusta town center.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited local options; specialized equipment rental is described as available through mobile schools serving the wider region.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage is described as limited; most visitors store gear at accommodation or in private vehicles.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repair may be available nearby; on-site professional repair in Augusta is described as limited.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The tallest mainland lighthouse in Australia, marking the meeting point of the Indian and Southern Oceans.
Displays detailing maritime history, shipwrecks, and early settler life in the region.
The largest show cave in Western Australia, featuring massive stalactites and flowstones.
A historic hotel with a deck overlooking the Hardy Inlet, serving local seafood and pub classics.
Seasonal tours to view humpback and southern right whales as they migrate through the nearby area.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Augusta Rivermouth?
The best overall months at Augusta Rivermouth are October, November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Augusta Rivermouth?
Augusta Rivermouth works with SE, SSE, ESE, S, SSW winds. Offshore directions are NNW, N.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Augusta Rivermouth?
Recommended equipment sizes at Augusta Rivermouth: Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–7 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–40 kts.
What skill level is Augusta Rivermouth suitable for?
Augusta Rivermouth suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.