Buxton Point (Little Swanport)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Buxton Point is an exposed point break on Tasmania’s East Coast near Little Swanport. It’s described as not working very often, meaning sessions depend heavily on getting the required swell-and-wind alignment. For surfing, the spot is most associated with east swell arriving to wrap around the point, producing right-hand waves. Westerly winds are important because they can act offshore and groom the wave faces. When the swell is large enough to connect sections along the point, rides can be decent, but the spot is also noted to be often too small for quality surfing. The hazards are the main constraint: rocks and submerged reef make the entry and exit unforgiving, and strong currents can occur around the headland. The spot is also described as isolated, so it’s important to plan conservative access, stay aware of conditions at low tide, and be prepared for limited immediate rescue response at the exact location. Timing-wise, the best surf window is consistently described as winter—most often May. When it’s on, conditions are usually very quiet and uncrowded, which suits intermediate surfers looking for a calmer, low-profile session rather than a crowded break.
- Exposed, fickle point break—reliant on specific east swell + west wind alignment
- Low-profile and usually uncrowded
- Rocks and submerged reef make safety planning essential
- Exposed point break with right-hand potential when swell and wind align
- Low likelihood of overcrowding
- Offshore westerly winds can groom the face
- Works infrequently and is condition-dependent
- Rocky hazards with difficult launch/entry
- Can be very small when it’s on
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W
- Offshore directions
- W
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Westerly-influenced systems; also described as gradient driven.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Described as moderate gusting.
- Best Months
- May
- Shadow Zones
- Likely under the lee of the point during westerly winds
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry at the point
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Rocky entry with hazards around the point
Through the year
Usually very quiet and uncrowded.
Winter can be cold and stormy.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed, generally fickle point break that does not work very often—requires specific east swell and west wind alignment. Primarily offers right-handers when the swell wraps around the point.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- E, ESE, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is favored to expose the point's shape.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point break with little natural protection.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore in westerly winds, which grooms the wave faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but may become washed out or heavy.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Quality is described as average; it can stay small for the best sessions.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Described as moderate wave power when it works.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can provide decent rides when the swell is large enough to connect sections along the point.
- Ride Length Details
- Decent rides when swell is large enough to connect sections along the point.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Buxton Point (Little Swanport) in the full forecast view.
Buxton Point (Little Swanport) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–16 ktsGusts 33 kts
- Direction
- WSW245°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2816 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–1.2 m7s period
- Temperature
- 7–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Buxton Point (Little Swanport) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 33 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.5–1.2 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- Strong currents
- Submerged reef
- Isolated location
- Sharks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported for the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated rescue reported for the immediate spot area; formal rescue is available via Volunteer Marine Rescue stations in nearby Swansea and Triabunna.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, dial 000. For minor issues, use local medical services in Swansea; for major emergencies, use Royal Hobart Hospital.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Low-profile and unlikely to be too crowded; described as remote with limited likelihood of crowding.
Rules of the spot
Rocks and strong currents are the key hazards—approach only with proper leash/controlled entry and be ready for rough exits from the rocky point.
- Avoid poor alignment: the spot is exposed and works infrequently, so plan around the required east swell + west wind combination.
- Best surfed on a lower tide to expose the point's shape.
- West winds are essential for clean faces.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hobart
- Nearest Town
- Little Swanport
- Nearest Airport
- Hobart International Airport (HBA) (~95 km south).
- Parking
- Limited informal parking near access points.
- Public Transport
- Public transport is very limited; a private vehicle is essential for accessing the coastline and transporting gear.
- Access
- Remote access via local tracks near Buxton River; may require a short walk.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Limited options in Little Swanport; more available in Triabunna or Swansea.
- Gear Storage
- Storage facilities are generally not available at the beach; most riders store gear in vehicles or local accommodation.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Buxton Point (Little Swanport)?
The best overall months at Buxton Point (Little Swanport) are April, May, June. The best wind months are May.
Which wind directions work at Buxton Point (Little Swanport)?
Buxton Point (Little Swanport) works with W winds. Offshore directions are W.
What skill level is Buxton Point (Little Swanport) suitable for?
Buxton Point (Little Swanport) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.