Fourth Beach

Shortboard, Beginners
Best for
Beginner to Intermediate
Skill Level
Chop, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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

Fourth Beach is a fairly exposed beach break near Esperance, best known for producing clean wave faces when offshore winds come from the north. Waves are typically reported in the chest-to-head range and can work well on small to medium swells, with surfing conditions said to be most active in July. The spot is described as having white sand shores and a sandy bottom, with scattered rocks particularly toward the ends of the beach. Water is reported as very clear, and the beach is a straightforward option for beach entries, supported by a wide sandy area and dedicated parking with staircase access. Safety is a key concern: rocks and sharks are repeatedly cited hazards, and strong rip currents can occur during larger swells. There are no lifeguards on duty, so visitors should plan conservatively, stay informed about wildlife activity, and consider that the waves can become heavy and messy when swell size increases beyond “moderate.” For planning, winds are reported as offshore from the north, with a typical summer sea-breeze window often in the afternoon. Seasonal water temperatures are cool to cold, so wetsuit choice should match the month and conditions.

  • Offshore north winds commonly groom the wave face into clean lines
  • Good water clarity and white sand
  • Best month highlighted as July
Great for
Surfing shortboardBeginners
What's great
  • Clean, peeling surf lines when wind is offshore from the north.
  • Sand bottom and generally accessible wide sandy launch area.
  • Exceptional water clarity is noted for the spot.
Heads up
  • Hazards include rocks and sharks.
  • No lifeguards are present.
  • Strong rip currents are possible during larger swells.
  • Best conditions are seasonal (not year-round).
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
N
Offshore directions
N
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Trade — Best conditions are described as offshore winds from the north for this spot (wind type not otherwise specified).
Reliability
moderate
Gust Factor
Light gusts — Reported as light gusts.
Best Months
July
Shadow Zones
High headlands can cause small shadows very close to shore.

Water & beach

Water Type
Chop, Ocean
Beach
Sand — White sand shore.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Small — Also described as small to medium swell handling; typical surf around chest to head high.
Chop Level
Heavy chop — Water type is reported as chop.
Launch
Medium — Wide sandy beach along the Twilight Beach Road loop.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
14–21 °C
Water Temperature
15–26 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 3/2mm or 4/3mmJan–Dec: 1mm wetsuit recommended when water is 70–75 F (21–24 C)
Crowds by Season

Quieter in winter; can get busy during summer school holidays.

Storm/Rain Season

Winter (June to August) is generally the wettest and brings frequent cold fronts.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

An exposed beach break best with offshore winds from the north. Typical surf ranges from chest to head high, and can handle small to medium swells; very large swells can close out.

Beach break
Optimal Swell
S, SW
Swell Height
1–2 m
Optimal Tide
Mid
Shelter
Exposed
Wind Effect
Offshore winds from the north groom the wave face into clean lines.
Bigger Swell
Can close out on very large swells over about 2.5 meters.
Wave Quality
Good — Particularly noted for clear water and grooming when offshore.
Wave Power
Moderate
Wave Shape
Peeling — Also described as whitewater/clean lines when winds are offshore from the north.
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Medium — Waves tend to be short to medium length, breaking over shifting sandbars.
Typical Ride Length
50–100 m
Ride Length Details
Short to medium rides; typically breaking over shifting sandbars.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Fourth Beach in the full forecast view.

Fourth Beach wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
3–18 ktsGusts 31 kts
Direction
SE143°
Strongest day
Sat, Oct 2418 kts
Windy days
4/712 kts or more
Waves
1.2–3.0 m10s period
Temperature
10–27 °C

Over the next 7 days, Fourth Beach is forecast for daytime winds of 3–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 31 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 1.2–3.0 m with a period of about 10s. 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
  • sharks
  • rip currents
Ability Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitHarness

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards are on duty.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — Spot-level rescue availability is reported as none.
Emergency Info
Esperance Health Campus is the nearest hospital. Dial 000 for all emergency services.
Localism / Vibe
Mild

Rules of the spot

Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect local surfers.

Local Tips
  • No lifeguards are present—exercise caution.
  • Esperance is known for shark activity; stay informed about recent sightings.
  • Strong rip currents are possible during larger swells.
  • The beach is best on a moderate swell; when it gets too big it can become heavy and messy.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Esperance
Nearest Town
Esperance
Nearest Airport
Esperance Airport (EPR)
Parking
Dedicated parking area overlooking the beach with staircase access. Free parking on-site; limited during peak season—arrive early.
Public Transport
Limited local bus services are available within the town, but a private vehicle is essential for accessing the various coastal launches.
Access
Accessible via Twilight Beach Road.
Cost Level
Budget
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Toilets
Parking
Bar
Accommodation
Nearby town — A variety of caravan parks, hotels, and holiday rentals in Esperance.
Food & Drink
Local cafes and restaurants are available in nearby Esperance.
Equipment Rental:
Surf board rentals are available from surf shops in Esperance town center.
Gear Repair
Minor repairs available at local surf retailers; spot-level gear repair details are not specified beyond local options.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

The Esperance coastline is known for coastal scenery and outdoor recreation, supported by nearby national parks and easy access from town.

Best time to visit: Spring and summer offer the best weather for beach activities and exploring the coastal drives.
Cape Le Grand National Park50km

A coastal park famous for its white sand beaches and kangaroos on the shore.

Esperance Museum5km

Local history museum featuring maritime artifacts and pieces of the Skylab space station.

Great Ocean Drive0km

A 40km circular tourist loop highlighting dramatic coastal scenery and cliff-top views.

Lucky Bay Brewing15km

Local craft brewery offering food and refreshments using regional ingredients.

Twilight Beach2km

Iconic swimming beach with calm turquoise waters and safe conditions for children.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Fourth Beach?

The best overall months at Fourth Beach are July.

Which wind directions work at Fourth Beach?

Fourth Beach works with N winds. Offshore directions are N.

What skill level is Fourth Beach suitable for?

Fourth Beach suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.