Explosives
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Shallow
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Explosives is a highly exposed reef break near the Geraldton Lighthouse / Point Moore area that only works once in a while. When it connects, it produces fast, technical reef waves—often hollow right-handers—and can hold significant swell. For best results, look for clean southwest groundswells combined with southeast winds. Conditions are described as best around mid tide when the tide is rising, and the spot is characterized by reef sections that can leave very shallow water at low tide. Hazard management is essential. The break is surrounded by rocks/sharp reef and includes submerged rock and reef depth concerns; sharks are also reported as a hazard. Strong rip currents are possible during larger swells, and rescue support is described as limited, so riders should be prepared for self-rescue. Surfing conditions are generally described as good to intermediate for wave quality, with the spot suiting intermediate to advanced surfers depending on how clean the groundswells are. Crowding is reported as very low/rare—locals are present when the swell is right, so respectful lineup behavior is advised.
- Exposed reef break near Geraldton Lighthouse/Point Moore.
- Powerful, often hollow right-handers; fast and technical sections.
- Best with southwest groundswells and southeast winds.
- Mid tide is preferred; spot is tide-sensitive.
- Rarely crowded when conditions are good.
- Fast, technical reef waves with powerful, often hollow sections.
- Holds size on clean groundswells.
- Best wind direction is from the southeast.
- Rarely crowded when conditions are good.
- Works only once in a while (spot is described as low-frequency).
- Reef/rock hazards including sharp reef and submerged rocks.
- Sharks are reported as a hazard.
- Currents can be strong during larger swells.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE, SE
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE, SE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Regional pattern favors sea-breeze/SE onshore flow at peak times; spot is described as best with southeast winds.
- Reliability
- Low - only works once in a while (spot-level); regional sea-breeze conditions are described as strong/consistent in peak season.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady.
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February, March
- Thermal Window
- Other · Afternoon · +20–30 kts · Months: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar · Dir: S, SE · Strong thermal reinforcement typically builds from late morning and peaks in the afternoon (regional pattern for the Geraldton coast).
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Shallow
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocks are reported; one dataset describes mixed composition.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium waves described; working swell window reported as about 1.5–3.0 meters for the best conditions.
- Launch
- Medium — Launch involves navigating around rocky sections or paddling from the nearby beach; also described as a short walk and paddle from Point Moore.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty due to rocky navigation/reef hazards.
Through the year
Can get busy on weekends with local surfers when the swell is good (otherwise rarely crowded).
Winter months (June to August) see more frequent rain and storm fronts.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A quite exposed reef break that only works once in a while, producing clean groundswells in winter. Best with southwest groundswells and southeast winds; surf is reef/rock hazardous.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best around mid tide when the tide is rising.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Described as exposed.
- Wind Effect
- Southeast winds provide the best conditions (clean offshore conditions described); best with southeast wind.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size on clean groundswells; can become heavy and barreling on larger southwest swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Clean groundswells with good wave quality reported; good to intermediate-to-advanced technical riding.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful and often hollow right-handers described.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Often hollow; holds size on clean groundswells.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast, technical sections described.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides can range from about 50 to 150 meters depending on swell connection.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer rides between 50 to 150 meters depending on the swell connection.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Explosives in the full forecast view.
Explosives wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–20 ktsGusts 33 kts
- Direction
- S173°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2420 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–2.4 m9s period
- Temperature
- 10–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Explosives is forecast for daytime winds of 6–20 kts, peaking around 20 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 33 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.9–2.4 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
- Rocks
- Sharp reef
- Submerged rocks
- Sharks
- Strong rip currents possible during large swells
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Geraldton provides coverage, but most spots are self-rescue or rely on the local community.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number: 000 (Australia). Nearest major facility: Geraldton Health Campus on Shenton Street. Local rescue availability is limited.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Described as moderately local; respect the local lineup.
Rules of the spot
Take care around reef rocks; standard surfing etiquette applies and riders should respect the local lineup.
- Take care to avoid the rocks.
- Watch reef depth at low tide as it can get very shallow.
- Best surfed when swell is consistent enough to clear the inner reef sections.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Greater Geraldton
- Nearest Town
- West End, Greater Geraldton
- Nearest Airport
- Geraldton Airport (GET)
- Parking
- Parking available at Point Moore parking areas.
- Public Transport
- Limited public bus service within the city; a rental car or private vehicle is essential for transporting gear between coastal spots.
- Access
- Near Geraldton Lighthouse in West End, Greater Geraldton, Western Australia. Also described as accessible via Point Moore with a short walk and paddle to the reef.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels and campsites available in Geraldton.
- Food & Drink
- Cafes and restaurants are available in the nearby Point Moore and Geraldton city area.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in Geraldton offer rentals and gear (equipment rental also described as available through local specialty shops and mobile schools).
- Gear Storage
- Limited dedicated public storage; most visitors utilize local accommodation or private vehicles.
- Gear Repair
- Repair services available at local surf and windsurf shops in Geraldton.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Explosives?
The best overall months at Explosives are January, February, March, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. The best wind months are November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Explosives?
Explosives works with E, ESE, SE winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE, SE.
What skill level is Explosives suitable for?
Explosives suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.