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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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
- 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.
- Hazards include rocks and sharks.
- No lifeguards are present.
- Strong rip currents are possible during larger swells.
- Best conditions are seasonal (not year-round).
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
Quieter in winter; can get busy during summer school holidays.
Winter (June to August) is generally the wettest and brings frequent cold fronts.
By sport
What to expect for each.
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.
- 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.
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.
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
- rip currents
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.
- 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
What's on the beach
- 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.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Esperance coastline is known for coastal scenery and outdoor recreation, supported by nearby national parks and easy access from town.
A coastal park famous for its white sand beaches and kangaroos on the shore.
Local history museum featuring maritime artifacts and pieces of the Skylab space station.
A 40km circular tourist loop highlighting dramatic coastal scenery and cliff-top views.
Local craft brewery offering food and refreshments using regional ingredients.
Iconic swimming beach with calm turquoise waters and safe conditions for children.
From riders who've been here
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.