Blacknose Point (Victoria Coast)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Blacknose Point is a fairly exposed, consistent right-hand point break on Victoria’s Far West Coast, known for picking up strong Southern Ocean swell. On its best days it offers fast, peeling walls, but conditions can also become heavy and challenging to paddle as swell builds. Surf works best at high tide. Reports emphasize that the spot is most rideable when a south-southwesterly/southwesterly swell combines with offshore westerly to northwest winds. When winds turn onshore (southerly components), the wave face can become messier. The coastline is rugged: surfers contend with rocky entries/exits, submerged rocks, kelp, and additional marine hazards including sharks. Cold water is a major factor—sources specifically warn that a 4/3mm steamer is commonly required—so plan for careful navigation around the shallowest rock sections. Crowding is a consideration. The spot is described as often crowded during peak conditions, with demand especially high on good swell days near Portland, so arriving early and respecting local etiquette is advised.
- Consistent right-hand point break
- Powerful, peeling waves with fast rides on best days
- High tide is repeatedly cited as the best timing
- Offshore West to Northwest winds can improve conditions
- A fairly exposed and consistent right-hand point break.
- Reliable Southern Ocean swell exposure with powerful, peeling waves.
- Works best on high tide and can benefit from offshore winds (West to Northwest).
- Rugged rocky environment with sharp hazards and slippery entry/exit points.
- Cold water requiring a thick wetsuit.
- Heavier seas and demanding conditions on bigger swell.
- Can become crowded on peak weekends and during strong swells.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NW
- Offshore directions
- W, NW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Providers describe winter frontal systems dominating the wider region and spot conditions aligning with strong westerly winds.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported by provider data.
- Best Months
- September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Some protection from South winds offered by the point
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky coastline.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium size reported; can become heavy with larger swells.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry points; difficult access reported.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Difficult launch access reported due to rocky entry.
Through the year
Can become crowded on weekends and during good swells due to proximity to Portland.
Winter months see the most frequent storms and rain.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A fairly exposed, consistent right-hand point break producing heavy seas and powerful waves when the right swell and offshore wind combine.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSW, SW, WSW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — Works best at high tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Fairly exposed point break with limited shelter from coastal conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore in West to Northwest winds; South winds are onshore and messy.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds big swells but becomes very heavy and challenging to paddle.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality reported as good; can become very heavy and challenging to paddle.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Reported as powerful with heavy seas on larger swell.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling right-hand point waves.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast walls on its best days.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides can range widely depending on swell connection.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can offer rides of 50 to 150 meters depending on swell connection; a typical ride length estimate is around 100 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Blacknose Point (Victoria Coast) in the full forecast view.
Blacknose Point (Victoria Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–13 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- WSW243°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.8 m10s period
- Temperature
- 8–18 °C
Over the next 7 days, Blacknose Point (Victoria Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.8–1.8 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
- Sharks
- Strong currents
- Kelp
- Sharp rocks
- Submerged rocks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported for the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated on-water rescue is reported for kite/windsurfers in the wider area; surf rescue services are not provided at the spot itself.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities located in Portland.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect local surfers.
- Best surfed at higher tides to avoid the shallowest rock sections.
- Watch for rocky entry and exit points which can be slippery.
- Cold water often requires a thick wetsuit (4/3mm steamer commonly referenced).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Portland
- Nearest Town
- Portland
- Nearest Airport
- Portland Airport (PTL) (~15 km) and Mount Gambier Airport (MGT) (~110 km).
- Parking
- Limited parking available near the lookout and access paths.
- Public Transport
- Limited public transport; regional bus services connect Portland to nearby towns, and a private vehicle is essential for accessing coastal spots.
- Access
- Accessible via coastal roads near Portland, with a short walk to the point.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels and campsites available in Portland.
- Food & Drink
- Full services available in nearby Portland.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited surf and SUP rental in Portland; wind-specific gear rental is scarce and usually requires bringing your own.
- Gear Storage
- Not available at regional launch sites; available at some specialized local accommodation.
- Gear Repair
- Basic sail and kite repairs available through local surf shops or independent sailmakers in the wider region.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A wild, rugged stretch of the Victorian coast known for maritime heritage and outdoor scenery around Portland.
Historic lighthouse offering panoramic views of the rugged Southern Ocean coastline.
A scenic tram ride along the foreshore and through the Botanic Gardens.
Museum detailing the region's rich whaling, sealing, and maritime history.
A 250km loop track starting and ending in Portland, covering cliffs and forests.
Historic pub offering local seafood and views over the harbour.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Blacknose Point (Victoria Coast)?
The best overall months at Blacknose Point (Victoria Coast) are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. The best wind months are September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Blacknose Point (Victoria Coast)?
Blacknose Point (Victoria Coast) works with W, NW winds. Offshore directions are W, NW.
What skill level is Blacknose Point (Victoria Coast) suitable for?
Blacknose Point (Victoria Coast) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.