Clam (Bunbury Coast)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- 0.5–2 m
- Swell Height
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Clam (Bunbury Coast) is a fairly exposed sandy beach break along Bunbury’s coast that’s known for producing fairly consistent surf. Reports highlight that summer can be mostly flat, but conditions are most favorable in March, when clean-wave frequency is highest. Surf performance is described as working best when offshore winds help groom the wave face—specifically offshore easterly to south-easterly winds—and with a west to south-west swell. When winds shift to south-west sea breezes, conditions can be blown out. The spot is generally considered accessible, with a wide sandy launch area. For wave quality, sources describe the break as average overall and peeling in shape, with medium ride lengths. Wave direction is reported as both right and left options (depending on the set). An additional note is that on very large swells (over about 2.5 meters), the wave can close out. Safety is a key consideration: the spot has reported hazards including rip currents and sharks. Local guidance emphasizes starting in the morning for cleaner offshore conditions before the sea breeze builds, and winter months tend to bring more consistent and larger swells. Emergency guidance for the area is provided (000, with the nearest major facility at Bunbury Regional Hospital).
- Most favorable month: March
- Offshore easterly/south-easterly winds groom the surf
- West/SW swell window (about 0.5–2.0 m reported)
- Very consistent surf for a beach break, best with favorable conditions in March
- Sandy, accessible launch with easy access
- Works best with offshore easterly winds and a west/south-west swell
- Can become blown out when south-west sea breezes dominate
- Rip currents are possible
- Large swells can close out
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sources describe onshore/sea-breeze influences and offshore-grooming easterly winds depending on the conditions.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr · Dir: SSW, SW · Regional pattern: a sea breeze develops around late morning and strengthens through the afternoon.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Reported wave size is small, with an optimal swell height window of roughly 0.5–2.0 m.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Water type is described as chop; conditions can deteriorate if south-west sea breezes blow out the surf.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach launch area.
Through the year
Popular with locals on weekends and during good swells; quieter on weekdays.
Winter (June to August) is the stormier season with larger, more frequent swells.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A fairly exposed, fairly consistent beach break on Bunbury’s coastline. Reported as offering both right and left wave options on a sandy bottom, with better groomed conditions when winds are offshore.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach break.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore easterly or south-easterly winds groom the waves, while south-west sea breezes can blow conditions out.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells over 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling, with conditions grooming when offshore easterly winds are present.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Clam (Bunbury Coast) in the full forecast view.
Clam (Bunbury Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–14 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- SSW203°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2414 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.4 m9s period
- Temperature
- 8–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Clam (Bunbury Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 0.3–1.4 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- sharks
- rip currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are reported as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional rescue services are limited; spot-level info also reports rescue as not available.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number: 000. Nearest major facility: Bunbury Regional Hospital (South West Health Campus).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism reported.
Rules of the spot
- Mornings are typically best for clean, offshore conditions before the sea breeze kicks in.
- Winter months bring the most consistent and larger swells.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Bunbury
- Nearest Town
- Bunbury
- Nearest Airport
- Busselton Margaret River Airport (BQB) ~50km away; Perth Airport (PER) ~175km north
- Parking
- Ample public parking available along the Back Beach area.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via the Australind train service and Transwa bus services from Perth, with local bus routes serving coastal suburbs
- Access
- Easy road access via Ocean Drive in Bunbury.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Wide range of options in Bunbury city center (hotels, apartments, motels, and caravan parks).
- Food & Drink
- Multiple cafes and restaurants located along the waterfront and in the nearby town center.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental gear for kitesurfing and surfing is available through local schools and surf shops in the Bunbury and Margaret River areas (regional note).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Interpretive centre offering interaction with wild bottlenose dolphins in Koombana Bay.
360-degree views of the city, harbor, and coastline.
Main hub for dining and nightlife in Bunbury with a variety of cafes and bars.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Clam (Bunbury Coast)?
The best overall months at Clam (Bunbury Coast) are March. The best wind months are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Clam (Bunbury Coast)?
Clam (Bunbury Coast) works with E, ESE winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE.
What skill level is Clam (Bunbury Coast) suitable for?
Clam (Bunbury Coast) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.