Cape Younghusband (Yorke Peninsula)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Cape Younghusband is an exposed point break known for fairly consistent surf, with its standout season in July. It’s a rock-bottom, hazardous coastline where conditions are typically demanding even before considering the extreme remoteness. The break is described as a heavy, world-class right-hand point and can produce very powerful, hollow waves with fast peeling sections when swell and wind align. Ride length can be long, and on larger swells the wave can hold massive size and become serious heavy-water. Safety at this location is a major constraint: hazards include rocks and sharks, with sharp rock shelf and strong currents noted. Access is extremely difficult (steep cliff/rock entry) and the spot is set within Flinders Chase National Park, with no overnight camping and park-hours access where you’re not arriving by boat. Rescue/lifeguard support is not available, and mobile reception is extremely limited—plan as if you won’t be able to call for help. Water is notably cool in winter (about 14–15.5°C around July), so wetsuit planning is essential. Crowd expectations are generally low-profile/very small, but one guide notes it can be sometimes crowded.
- Exposed, fairly consistent point-break surf
- Best month: July (mid tide)
- Very clear water and pristine marine setting
- High-quality long rides for expert surfers
- Exposed point break with fairly consistent surf (best in July)
- Very clear water and rugged natural setting within Flinders Chase National Park
- Potential for long rides and very high wave power for expert surfers
- Extremely remote and isolated
- Expert-only access and entry conditions
- Sharp rocks/rock shelf and submerged hazards
- High shark risk and powerful currents
- Wind for wind sports is unreliable (often blown out by Southwesterlies)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE
- Offshore directions
- N, NE
- No-go directions
- S, SW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind driven by Southern Ocean frontal systems; one source also describes it as frequently blown out by prevailing Southwesterlies.
- Reliability
- Low for wind sports; frequently blown out by prevailing Southwesterlies.
- Gust Factor
- Heavy gusts — Described as heavy-gust conditions during frontal systems.
- Best Months
- July
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs provide some protection from North and Northwest winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rock-dominated shoreline.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Sources describe the break as big/heavy on suitable swell.
- Launch
- Small — Difficult access via steep cliffs or boat; very rocky entry and exit points.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Very rocky access and entry/exit; suited only to expert surfers.
Through the year
Generally very empty due to the extreme difficulty of access.
Winter months see frequent frontal activity and rain.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed, rugged right-hand point break with fairly consistent surf. Suited only for highly experienced surfers due to extreme isolation, sharp rocks, strong currents, and shark hazards.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, WSW, SW
- Swell Height
- 2–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best at mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point break with no meaningful shelter from open-coast conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Works best with North or Northeast winds (offshore). South and Southwest winds blow the spot out.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds massive size and becomes a serious heavy-water wave.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Excellent quality reported, with capability to deliver offshore-off wind-groomed barreling sections when swell is adequate.
- Wave Power
- Very powerful — Described as very-powerful and serious heavy-water.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow wave shape described for the right-hand point break.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast peel described when swell is large and conditions are offshore.
- Ride Length
- Long — Can offer long, fast walls and barreling sections when the swell is large.
- Ride Length Details
- Long, fast walls and barreling sections are possible when swell is large and wind is offshore.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cape Younghusband (Yorke Peninsula) in the full forecast view.
Cape Younghusband (Yorke Peninsula) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–14 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- SSW202°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2514 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–2.6 m11s period
- Temperature
- 10–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cape Younghusband (Yorke Peninsula) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 1.3–2.6 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
- Rocks
- Great white sharks
- Sharp rock shelf
- Submerged boulders
- Powerful currents
- Extreme isolation
- Heavy kelp
- Difficult cliff access
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards present.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue availability reported for this spot.
- Emergency Info
- Extremely limited mobile reception; nearest medical facilities are in Kingscote (over an hour and a half away).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism noted, though the spot is remote.
Rules of the spot
Standard rules apply for Flinders Chase National Park access and environment.
- No overnight camping at the break.
- Accessible only during park hours if not arriving by boat.
- Never surf here alone due to the high shark risk and lack of nearby assistance.
- Often accessed by boat due to the difficult overland trek.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Adelaide
- Nearest Town
- Kingscote
- Parking
- No formal parking at the break; park in designated National Park areas and hike in.
- Public Transport
- No public transport to the remote area; access typically requires a private vehicle or 4WD.
- Access
- Extremely difficult overland access via Flinders Chase National Park; often requires a long hike or boat access.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation ranges from National Park campgrounds to remote lodges across the west and south coasts.
- Food & Drink
- None at the break; supplies must be brought (including water).
- Equipment Rental:
- No equipment rental available.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The area is known for rugged coastline scenery, abundant wildlife, and dramatic geological formations within a protected wilderness setting.
Iconic, wind-sculpted granite boulders perched on a cliff edge overlooking the Southern Ocean.
A historic lighthouse built in the early 1900s, offering insight into the region’s maritime history.
Numerous trails through wilderness areas, with exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities.
A casual dining option located near the National Park visitor centre.
A natural rock arch that serves as a nursery for a large colony of long-nosed fur seals.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Cape Younghusband (Yorke Peninsula)?
The best overall months at Cape Younghusband (Yorke Peninsula) are July.
Which wind directions work at Cape Younghusband (Yorke Peninsula)?
Cape Younghusband (Yorke Peninsula) works with N, NNE winds. Offshore directions are N, NE. No-go directions are S, SW.
What skill level is Cape Younghusband (Yorke Peninsula) suitable for?
Cape Younghusband (Yorke Peninsula) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.