Blue Holes (Kalbarri)

Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Swell
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Blue Holes is an exposed rocky reef break just south of Kalbarri, known for producing both left and right waves (often mostly rights). The break is described as dependable and offers generally good wave quality, with peeling characteristics reported on the reef. Conditions tend to work best when a southwest swell is present. Several sources also indicate it can be found between about waist-high and very large sizes (up to around triple overhead in peak reports), but on very big swells the wave can turn heavy and close out. Ride lengths are often medium, with lefts capable of being longer and more consistent—some reports note rides up to around 100 meters in optimal swell. Wind direction is a key factor: easterly to east-northeast winds are described as offshore and provide the cleanest/best surfing conditions. The spot’s seasonality is centered on the Australian winter, with the most reliable months reported as June through August, including June as a standout month. Wind is described as relatively steady with light gusts, and a typical range of roughly 10–20 knots is reported. Safety and access require extra care. The reef can be very sharp and shallow at low tide, but at the same time some sources recommend a high tide to avoid shallow reef sections—so you should prioritize keeping clear of the sharp rock and shallow areas on your intended set-up. Hazards include rocks, shallow reef, sharp limestone, strong currents near reef channels, urchins, and sharks. Blue Holes is within a protected marine sanctuary / Fish Habitat Protection Area, with regulations such as no fishing and no motorized vessels, and the inside lagoon is treated as a sanctuary for snorkeling.

  • Exposed reef break with mostly rights and some longer lefts
  • Best with southwest swell and offshore easterly/east-northeast winds
  • Protected marine sanctuary—follow FHPA/zone regulations
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Dependable exposed reef break with both left and right sections (often mostly rights).
  • Good to clear conditions with easterly to east-northeast offshore winds and southwest swells.
  • Regulated protected area for marine life (requires respectful behavior).
Heads up
  • Exposed rocky reef with sharp, shallow sections—risk increases when conditions and tide put you on the wrong part of the reef.
  • Can become heavy and close out on very large swells.
  • Potential for strong currents and hazards including sharks.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
E, ESE
Offshore directions
E, ESE, NE
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Reliability
fair
Gust Factor
Light gusts
Best Months
June, July, August

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell
Beach
Rocks — Conflicting spot details exist: some sources describe rocks/reef areas, others describe sand approaches/launch.
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Medium
Launch
Small — Beach access via limestone paths; short walk from the car park.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
Wetsuit Guide
Jun, Jul, Aug: 3/2mm
Crowds by Season

Can be crowded on weekends and during school holidays.

Storm/Rain Season

Occasional winter storms bring rain and heavy swell.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed rocky reef break with dependable surf, producing both left and right waves (mostly rights). Works best on southwest swells and is considered exposed.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
SW
Swell Height
1.5–4 m
Optimal Tide
High, Low — Sources conflict: one emphasizes high tide to avoid shallow reef, while another suggests low tide can be safest. Use local, on-the-day judgment and aim to keep off the sharp/shallow reef.
Shelter
Exposed
Wind Effect
Offshore easterly to east-northeast winds produce the cleanest/best conditions.
Bigger Swell
On very large swells, it can become heavy and close out.
Wave Quality
Good — Generally described as good with dependable surf.
Wave Power
Moderate
Wave Shape
Mixed — Reports vary between mixed and peeling conditions; overall categorized as moderate power with a mix of shapes.
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Medium — Can offer rides up to 100 meters on the lefts during optimal swell; typical range is medium.
Typical Ride Length
50–100 m
Ride Length Details
Lefts can be longer and more consistent than rights; some sources report up to 100 meters on lefts in optimal conditions.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Blue Holes (Kalbarri) in the full forecast view.

Blue Holes (Kalbarri) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
6–21 ktsGusts 34 kts
Direction
S176°
Strongest day
Sat, Oct 2421 kts
Windy days
7/712 kts or more
Waves
0.9–2.6 m9s period
Temperature
12–27 °C

Over the next 7 days, Blue Holes (Kalbarri) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–21 kts, peaking around 21 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 34 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.9–2.6 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
  • Shallow reef
  • Sharp limestone rocks
  • Strong currents
  • Urchins
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitImpact vestBoots

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — Kalbarri Volunteer Marine Rescue provides emergency assistance; most spots are remote with no active beach lifeguards.
Emergency Info
Kalbarri Health Centre is the nearest medical facility.
Localism / Vibe
Mild

Rules of the spot

Protected marine sanctuary / Fish Habitat Protection Area (FHPA): do not disturb the marine life or reef. Sanctuary zone regulations apply (e.g., no fishing, no motorized vessels).

Restrictions
  • Protected marine sanctuary / FHPA regulations apply
  • No fishing
  • No motorized vessels
Local Tips
  • Consider visiting at low tide for safest conditions, because the reef can be very sharp and shallow at low tide.
  • A high tide is also recommended to avoid the shallow reef sections.
  • The surf break is further out on the reef, while the inside lagoon is a sanctuary for snorkeling.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Geraldton
Nearest Town
Kalbarri
Nearest Airport
Geraldton Airport (GET)
Parking
Dedicated paved car park overlooking the ocean.
Public Transport
Limited; a car is essential for reaching most spots.
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Toilets
Picnic area
Accommodation
Nearby town — Various caravan parks, hotels, and holiday rentals in Kalbarri townsite.
Food & Drink
Bakeries and cafes available about 2 km north in Kalbarri town.
Equipment Rental:
Limited on-site in Kalbarri; most visitors rent gear elsewhere or bring it.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Kalbarri is known for dramatic coastline scenery, red sandstone cliffs, and river-gorge features.

Best time to visit: September to April for a mix of wildflowers, warm weather, and consistent wind.
Kalbarri Skywalk35km

Two cantilevered walkways providing views over the Murchison River gorge.

Nature's Window37km

A natural rock arch framing the river below, iconic for photography.

Zuytdorp Cliffs10km

Site of historic Dutch shipwrecks and dramatic limestone coastal features.

Murchison River Kayaking2km

Paddling through the calm waters of the lower Murchison River.

Finlay's Kalbarri2km

Famous open-air seafood restaurant and microbrewery.

Daily Pelican Feeding1km

A long-standing local tradition on the Kalbarri foreshore.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Blue Holes (Kalbarri)?

The best overall months at Blue Holes (Kalbarri) are June, July, August.

Which wind directions work at Blue Holes (Kalbarri)?

Blue Holes (Kalbarri) works with E, ESE winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE, NE.

What skill level is Blue Holes (Kalbarri) suitable for?

Blue Holes (Kalbarri) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.