Goats Bluff
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Goats Bluff is a fairly exposed Tasmanian East Coast reef break that only works once in a while. It’s primarily a right-hand reef break where the waves need a large South or Southwest swell to wrap into the bay before the spot truly comes alive. When the swell is big enough, it can produce long, quality peeling rights along the rocky point and reef. Sources also note that the break tends to improve with larger sets—holding significant size and giving stronger, more consistent rides. Wind matters: North winds are described as helping keep the wave clean and offshore. Overall wind reliability is considered low, and local conditions can vary depending on exposure and shelter from the bluff. This is not a casual-entry spot. Expect hazards from submerged reef/rocks and cold water, with slippery entry/exit sections involving kelp, and moderate rip currents during larger swells. Rescue coverage is listed as none, and medical services are in Hobart, so riders should be self-sufficient and plan gear accordingly.
- Long, peeling right-hand reef rides on the right swell
- Works only occasionally (high swell requirement and wrap conditions)
- North winds described as clean/offshore
- Cold-water reef hazards and strong currents on bigger swells
- Long, peeling right-hand reef rides when conditions align
- Typically clean/offshore with North winds
- Generally low-profile/remote feel compared with more consistent breaks
- Reef spot that only works occasionally/infrequently
- Requires large South/Southwest swell to wrap into the bay
- Cold water and strong currents during larger swells
- No rescue coverage noted for the spot
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, NW
- Offshore directions
- N
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind is described as frontal.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Some shelter from West winds provided by the bluff
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shore or small gravel pull-off
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
Through the year
Generally low profile, but can get busy with Hobart locals on the rare days when conditions align perfectly.
Winter months experience frequent frontal systems and cold fronts.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A fairly exposed reef break that only works infrequently on Tasmania's East Coast; quality sessions depend on a large South or Southwest swell that wraps into the bay, producing long peeling rights.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Otherwise described as fairly exposed; winds and exposure vary by swell/wrap conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Clean and offshore with North winds
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size and improves with larger sets
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Long
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- Peels consistently along the rocky point and reef
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Goats Bluff in the full forecast view.
Goats Bluff wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–17 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- WSW248°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2617 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–1.4 m8s period
- Temperature
- 8–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Goats Bluff is forecast for daytime winds of 5–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.4–1.4 m with a period of about 8s. 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
- Cold water
- Strong currents
- Submerged reef
- Slippery rocks and kelp (entry/exit)
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are located in Hobart.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
- Requires a massive Southern Ocean swell to wrap around the peninsula before it begins to work.
- The entry and exit involve navigating slippery rocks and kelp.
- Nearest medical facilities are located in Hobart.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hobart
- Nearest Town
- South Arm
- Parking
- Small roadside gravel pull-offs near the lookout point.
- Public Transport
- Limited bus service from Hobart to South Arm; a private vehicle or rental car is essential for transporting gear to specific launches.
- Access
- Located on the South Arm peninsula; drive south from Hobart via South Arm Road.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Mainly holiday rentals, Airbnbs, and small guesthouses within the South Arm and Opossum Bay areas; Hobart also serves as a hub for the wider coast.
- Food & Drink
- South Arm General Store is the nearest option for food and supplies.
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 Goats Bluff?
The best overall months at Goats Bluff are August. The best wind months are June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Goats Bluff?
Goats Bluff works with N, NE, NW winds. Offshore directions are N.
What skill level is Goats Bluff suitable for?
Goats Bluff suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.