Dark Hollow (Beaumaris)

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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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

About

Dark Hollow (Beaumaris) is an exposed beach break on Tasmania’s east coast that’s best known for dependable surfing in winter. The break runs over a sandy bottom, but it’s still considered a hazardous shoreline due to rocks near the shore—particularly around the southern end and at low tide. Surf quality is strongly tied to the sandbank setup, and conditions can vary from short, punchy waves to less rideable surf if the banks don’t form well. It offers both lefts and rights, and is typically at its best with a southerly to southeast swell (often reported as ideal from the southeast). For wind, west to offshore-westerly conditions are described as the ticket for cleaner, groomed faces. June is the standout month for wind and overall surf readiness: one guide reports a relatively high clean rate in June (43% clean) with a notable blown-out risk (23% blown). At the same time, the spot is typically uncrowded, with reports saying it’s rarely crowded, though you should still expect a mix of surfers and locals on better days. Safety-wise, plan for the shoreline hazards (rocks) and the water hazards (rip currents), and account for cold water—winter conditions are described as very cold, with surf often occurring under winter frontal activity. If you’re heading out, check the lineup before paddling due to shifting banks, and treat the break as exposed even when it looks calm from shore.

  • Exposed beach break with dependable winter surf
  • Often uncrowded
  • West offshore winds help produce cleaner waves
  • Sandbanks shift frequently—conditions depend on the setup
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Dependable surfing in winter
  • Often uncrowded
  • Offshore west winds can produce cleaner, groomed surf
Heads up
  • Exposed conditions
  • Rocks near the shore (especially at low tide/southern end)
  • Rip currents reported as common
  • Can be mostly flat in summer
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
W, SW
Offshore directions
W
Wind Type
Frontal — Wind described as frontal/large-scale gradient influence; best surfing wind is typically westerly offshore in winter.
Reliability
23% blown out, 43% clean in June
Best Months
June

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell, Ocean
Beach
Sand — Sand beach
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Medium — Wave size described as medium; winter swell can reach about 1.0–2.5 m.
Launch
Medium — Beach access along sandy shoreline with some rocky outcrops
Launch Difficulty
Easy — Launch difficulty reported as easy

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
11–18 °C
Water Temperature
5–23 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jun–Nov: 4/3mm
Crowds by Season

Rarely crowded; most likely to see a few locals on weekends.

Storm/Rain Season

Winter months see more frequent frontal activity.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed beach break with dependable surf in winter. Works over sandy bottom but is highly dependent on sandbank formation; uncrowded with lefts and rights when conditions line up.

Beach break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
S, SE
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
All tides — No single tide preference reported.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed coastal break with limited shelter.
Wind Effect
Best conditions with offshore west winds give cleaner, groomed faces; easterly winds create messier conditions.
Bigger Swell
Can hold some size, but will close out if the swell is too large or too straight.
Wave Quality
Average — Wave quality described as average; rides depend on bank shape.
Wave Power
Moderate — Moderate wave power overall.
Wave Shape
Peeling — Typically peeling over shifting sandbanks.
Peel Speed
Medium — Described as having medium peel speed.
Ride Length
Short — Short rides are typical, with punchy sections possible depending on the sandbanks.
Typical Ride Length
50 m
Ride Length Details
Waves are typically short but can offer punchy sections depending on the banks.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Dark Hollow (Beaumaris) in the full forecast view.

Dark Hollow (Beaumaris) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–10 ktsGusts 23 kts
Direction
WNW285°
Strongest day
Mon, Oct 2610 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
0.4–1.3 m8s period
Temperature
5–21 °C

Over the next 7 days, Dark Hollow (Beaumaris) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.4–1.3 m with a period of about 8s. 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
  • Rip currents
  • Cold water
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitLeashBoots

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards reported on-site for this spot.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — No dedicated on-site rescue services reported for every beach; patrol coverage described as limited.
Emergency Info
In life-threatening emergencies in Australia, call 000.
Localism / Vibe
None — Localism level reported as none.

Rules of the spot

Check the lineup for sandbank changes before paddling out (surf context: wave/bank setup can shift).

Local Tips
  • Sandbanks shift frequently, so check the lineup before paddling out.
  • The spot is often flat during the summer months.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Launceston
Nearest Town
Beaumaris
Nearest Airport
Launceston Airport (LST) about 150 km away
Parking
Limited informal parking available along the road and tracks
Public Transport
Access is primarily by private vehicle; limited bus services connect St Helens and Scamander to Launceston and Hobart
Access
Accessible via the Tasman Highway with short tracks leading to the beach
Cost Level
Budget
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Nearby town — Camping and small holiday rentals available in Beaumaris and Scamander.
Food & Drink
Local cafes and shops in nearby Scamander
Equipment Rental:
Surfing and SUP equipment can be rented in Scamander; specialized kite/windsurfing gear rentals are generally unavailable locally.
Gear Storage
Dedicated gear storage facilities not commonly available in the immediate area.
Gear Repair
No specialized kite or sail repair shops reported in Beaumaris; major repairs may require travel to Launceston or Hobart.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

The Break O’Day / Beaumaris area is an outdoor-focused destination with pristine coastline and nearby walking, mountain biking, and surf culture.

Best time to visit: December to March for warmer weather and most reliable sea-breeze patterns (regional baseline).
Bay of Fires25 km

A stunning coastline known for its orange lichen-covered granite rocks and turquoise water.

St Helens History Room12 km

A museum showcasing the maritime and tin-mining history of the Break O'Day region.

St Helens Mountain Bike Trails15 km

World-class mountain biking trails including the famous 'Bay of Fires' descent.

Scamander Beach Resort5 km

Local dining option offering views of the coastline and classic Australian pub fare.

St Columba Falls40 km

One of Tasmania’s highest waterfalls, accessible via an easy walk through lush rainforest.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Dark Hollow (Beaumaris)?

The best overall months at Dark Hollow (Beaumaris) are June, July, August. The best wind months are June.

Which wind directions work at Dark Hollow (Beaumaris)?

Dark Hollow (Beaumaris) works with W, SW winds. Offshore directions are W.

What skill level is Dark Hollow (Beaumaris) suitable for?

Dark Hollow (Beaumaris) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.