Cloudy Bay (South Bruny)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Cloudy Bay (South Bruny) is an exposed, sandy beach break on South Bruny Island, known for consistent Southern Ocean energy and multiple surf peaks along a long stretch of beach. Surf is described as both lefts and rights, with options at all tide stages, and the eastern end of the bay (“the Corner”) often offering a more organized and sheltered take when wind/surf conditions are less favorable. Autumn—especially March—is the most reliable period for the cleanest surfing conditions, when south swells and north offshore wind align. Reported wave guidance includes working south/southwest swell direction and a generally powerful, peeling wave character, with typical ride distances around 50 to 150 meters. Bigger swells can hold size but are also described as tending to close out beyond roughly 3.5 meters. Safety is a primary concern. Rips (including strong rip currents that become more common as swell size increases) and sharks are both flagged hazards. The spot is remote and lifeguards are not reported; mobile reception can be very limited on the beach, and rescue availability is described as limited/no dedicated on-site service. Visitors are advised to monitor tides because the beach can become impassable at high tide, and to check sandbanks first before committing to a line. The water is cool year-round and conditions call for prepared cold-water kit. There are no food/drink services at the beach and no local equipment rental or repair—so the expectation is to bring gear from Hobart and plan for self-sufficiency. Despite the challenging environment, the lineup is described as rarely crowded due to access and location.
- Consistent exposed beach break with multiple peaks
- Autumn (especially March) for clean surfing conditions
- Offshore-north wind can keep waves cleaner
- Remote, uncrowded sessions
- Exposed beach break with consistent surf and multiple peaks
- Autumn conditions can combine clean south swells with offshore north winds
- Rarely crowded due to remoteness
- Very clear water conditions are reported
- Remote location and lack of on-site rescue support
- Strong rip currents; risk increases as swell size grows
- Cold water year-round
- No food or gear services at the beach
- Access can be difficult and may be impacted by tide and 4WD requirements
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NW, NE
- Offshore directions
- N
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind is described as frontal-driven in the broader pattern, and the spot is exposed to Southern Ocean systems.
- Reliability
- Moderate; exposed to Southern Ocean weather systems.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Described as moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- March, April, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 8–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Surf size guidance varies: small in one summary, but also described as capable of being powerful and big enough to close out on larger sets.
- Launch
- Big — Vast sandy beach with space at the road end/Cloudy Corner; 4WD access toward Cloudy Corner.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Requires 4WD to drive onto the beach toward Cloudy Corner.
Through the year
Rarely crowded due to remote location even during summer holidays.
Winter months see frequent cold fronts and high rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Advanced wave kiting spot; best in North or North-West winds for cross-offshore riding on swells.
- Kite Sizes
- 8–12 m²
Suitable for wave windsurfing in similar conditions to kitesurfing, but remoteness and heavy swell make it challenging.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.5 m²
Possible but difficult due to powerful shore break and consistent swell. The Corner offers the most manageable entry.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil friendly described as limited.
- Min Depth
- 2.0 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach break with consistent surf and multiple peaks over a long beach. Lefts and rights with good options at all tide stages; the eastern end ('The Corner') can be more organized and slightly sheltered from some westerly winds.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Good at all tide stages.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Generally exposed; the eastern end ('The Corner') is often more sheltered/organized compared with the road-end peaks.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore with north winds; N to NE airflow described as staying clean.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size, but starts to close out over 3.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful and consistent surf described; summer often flatter.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Described as peeling; also noted as organized at the eastern end ('The Corner') in windier conditions.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Fast peeling waves are described; peeling speed given as medium.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typical ride length described as 50–150 m (medium).
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast peeling waves can offer short tube sections on the right sandbanks.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cloudy Bay (South Bruny) in the full forecast view.
Cloudy Bay (South Bruny) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–19 ktsGusts 34 kts
- Direction
- W260°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2819 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–3.4 m10s period
- Temperature
- 8–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cloudy Bay (South Bruny) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–19 kts, peaking around 19 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 34 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 1.2–3.4 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
- Sharks
- Rip currents
- Rip-currents increase with swell size
- Remote location
- Cold water
- Mobile reception is very limited or non-existent on the beach
- No dedicated on-site rescue confirmed
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated on-site rescue confirmed.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical services are in Alonnah; emergency response is coordinated via Tasmania Police, with a Hobart-based rescue helicopter.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Sources indicate it is not known for localism.
Rules of the spot
National Park regulations apply; a valid pass is required for entry.
- National-park fees
- No dogs
- Watch the tide—beach access can become impassable at high tide.
- Check the sandbanks at the road end first; if conditions are too messy, the eastern corner usually offers more protection.
- Bring a heavy-duty wetsuit even in summer.
- Check the beach for rip currents before committing to a session.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kingborough
- Nearest Town
- Kingborough
- Parking
- Limited parking at the end of Cloudy Bay Road; additional access possible for 4WD vehicles via the beach.
- Public Transport
- Extremely limited; a private vehicle and ferry crossing from Kettering are required to access the region.
- Access
- Accessible via a long gravel road through South Bruny National Park; 4WD is required to drive onto the beach toward Cloudy Corner. Limited parking at the end of Cloudy Bay Road; more access available for 4WD vehicles via the beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping available at Cloudy Bay and Cloudy Corner; holiday rentals available in nearby Lunawanna and Alonnah.
- Food & Drink
- None at the beach; nearest supplies are in Lunawanna.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available locally; bring all gear from Hobart.
- Gear Storage
- None reported.
- Gear Repair
- None reported locally.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A wilderness-first destination shaped by South Bruny National Park, combining remote outdoor adventures with limited but notable local food options in nearby towns.
Historic 1836 lighthouse offering panoramic views of the rugged southern coastline.
Area of significant Aboriginal heritage and pristine wilderness protecting local flora and fauna.
Eco-cruises exploring sea caves, rock stacks, and seals along the high cliffs.
Famous local producer of artisan cheeses and craft beer.
Classic island pub serving local seafood and pub favorites in Alonnah.
Timber stairs leading to a view of the narrow isthmus; great for spotting fairy penguins at dusk.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Cloudy Bay (South Bruny)?
The best overall months at Cloudy Bay (South Bruny) are March, April, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Cloudy Bay (South Bruny)?
Cloudy Bay (South Bruny) works with N, NW, NE winds. Offshore directions are N.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Cloudy Bay (South Bruny)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Cloudy Bay (South Bruny): Kitesurfing: 8–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Cloudy Bay (South Bruny) suitable for?
Cloudy Bay (South Bruny) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.