Dunes (Exmouth)
- Bodyboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Dunes (Exmouth) is an exposed reef break on North West Cape with consistent left and right-hand waves for intermediate surfers. It’s located within the Ningaloo Marine Park and the water is described as clear/high-visibility, but that also means reef hazards are easy to see—so take care around sharp coral, rocks, and shallow sections. Surfing is strongest around mid tide. Waves typically peel and can deliver medium-length rides; one description notes common ride distances in the 50 to 100 meter range, with left-hand peaks often longer and better shaped. The break can also become very heavy or close out when swells exceed about 3 meters, so larger swell days demand extra caution. Wind conditions show a reliable sea-breeze pattern: the spot is described as working with southerly/south-westerly tendencies in the afternoon, with summer sea breezes being common. For surfing specifically, south-easterly winds are described as offshore and grooming the wave face. Safety-wise, the spot has multiple reported hazards (sharp reef, sharks, sea urchins, and strong currents during large swells). Public access is allowed, but the marine park rules restrict fishing and motorized personal watercraft; plan accordingly and keep an eye on low-tide “inside” shallow reef areas where conditions can change quickly.
- Exposed reef break with consistent surf producing left and right peaks
- Clear water/high visibility within the Ningaloo Marine Park
- Mid-tide conditions preferred
- Offshore grooming possible with south-easterly winds
- Exposed reef break with consistent left and right-hand waves.
- Clear water in the Ningaloo Marine Park area.
- Works best at mid tide; offshore wind can groom the face for surfing.
- Sharp reef/coral with submerged hazards—caution needed.
- In larger swells, waves can close out or become very heavy, and currents can be strong.
- No lifeguards reported.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE, E, SW, W, NW
- Offshore directions
- SE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Strong afternoon sea breezes (12:00 PM–6:30 PM) with southerly/south-westerly tendency; summer also sees strong south-westerly sea-breeze influence.
- Reliability
- High in summer for wind; high in winter for offshore surfing conditions
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady winds described for the spot.
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand over reef launch sections.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach with direct access to the reef breaks; short walk from parking.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Sandy beach access with a short walk from parking (<5 min). Other sources describe moderate difficulty.
Through the year
Can be crowded on weekends and during school holidays as it is the most accessible break.
Cyclone season runs from November to April.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Sometimes used for wave kiting in cross-shore south-west winds, though a nearby alternative is more commonly used for kiting.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Can work in wave conditions, but launching can be tricky due to the proximity of surfers and the reef.
Not ideal due to shallow reef depth and heavy surfer presence.
- Foil Friendly
- No
- Min Depth
- 0.5m - 1.5m
Exposed limestone/reef break with consistent surf producing left and right-hand waves; suitable for intermediate surfers.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best at mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef break.
- Wind Effect
- South-easterly winds groom the face when offshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out or become very heavy on swells exceeding 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Consistent reef break with moderate wave power.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling wave shape described; lefts often longer and better shaped.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides commonly about 50 to 100 meters; lefts often longer.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves typically provide rides of 50 to 100 meters, with lefts often being longer and better shaped.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Dunes (Exmouth) in the full forecast view.
Dunes (Exmouth) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–23 ktsGusts 33 kts
- Direction
- SSW211°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2523 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–1.1 m7s period
- Temperature
- 18–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Dunes (Exmouth) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–23 kts, peaking around 23 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 33 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 0.4–1.1 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
- Sharks
- Sharp reef
- Coral and sharp rocks
- Sea urchins
- Strong currents
- Submerged rocks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited; volunteer marine rescue may provide emergency sea assistance, though beach-side rescue is not typically present.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is Exmouth Health Service in Exmouth town. Dial 000 for emergencies.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Respect the local lineup; described as mild localism.
Rules of the spot
Public access allowed.
- Located within Ningaloo Marine Park; strict no-fishing and environmental protection zones apply.
- No motorized personal watercraft.
- No fishing in sanctuary zones.
- Reef bottom with coral and sharp rocks—use caution.
- Watch out for the 'Inside' section where the reef gets very shallow at low tide.
- Respect the local lineup as this is the primary local break.
- In larger swells, strong currents can pull southwards.
- In this clear-water reef environment, keep shark awareness in mind.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Exmouth
- Nearest Town
- Exmouth
- Nearest Airport
- Learmonth Airport (LEA) ~35 km south of Exmouth; Exmouth Airport (EXM) noted ~15 km from Exmouth
- Parking
- Unpaved/unsealed gravel car park at the end of the access track; designated parking lot right off the beach entrance on Mildura Creek Road (off Yardie Creek Road). Tracks on the left after turning onto Mildura Wreck Road provide access.
- Public Transport
- Limited; a rental car or 4WD/private vehicle recommended for access to Cape Range NP and coastal locations
- Access
- From Exmouth, head toward Cape Range NP, take the right turn onto Mildura Wreck Road just east of the lighthouse. Turn onto tracks on the left for parking. Sandy beach access with a walk of less than 5 minutes.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Caravan parks and hotels in Exmouth; no camping permitted at the spot.
- Food & Drink
- No food or drink at the spot; shops and restaurants are in Exmouth town.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available from surf shops in Exmouth town; gear storage on-site not reported.
- Gear Storage
- Not available at the spot (limited dedicated storage overall).
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repair available via local shops in Exmouth.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The area around Dunes (Exmouth) sits next to major marine tourism tied to the Ningaloo Reef, with strong opportunities for wildlife viewing and nature-based day trips from Exmouth.
Famed for crystal-clear waters and drift snorkeling over the Ningaloo Reef.
Historical lighthouse with panoramic coastal views and whale-watching opportunities.
Seasonal swimming with the world’s largest fish between March and August.
Popular local brewery and eatery with live music and a lively atmosphere.
Educational facility highlighting marine life and the history of the Ningaloo region.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Dunes (Exmouth)?
The best overall months at Dunes (Exmouth) are October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Dunes (Exmouth)?
Dunes (Exmouth) works with SE, E, SW, W, NW winds. Offshore directions are SE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Dunes (Exmouth)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Dunes (Exmouth): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Dunes (Exmouth) suitable for?
Dunes (Exmouth) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.