Godfreys Beach (Circular Head)
- Wave, Freeride
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Medium waves, Ocean
- Spot Type
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Godfreys Beach (Circular Head) is a small, sand-bottom beach beneath The Nut near Stanley, known for crystal-clear water and medium-wave conditions. The shore break is described as moderate, and the water can deepen quickly, so sessions suit riders who can manage changing conditions close to shore. For wind sports, the best alignment is north to north-easterly winds (roughly N, NNE, and NE). During the summer months, sea-breeze/thermal effects are common and the effective wind often builds in the afternoon, with typical strong sessions in the 15–25 knots range. Kite riding is generally aimed at intermediate to advanced participants because of the combination of medium-wave energy and rocks. Safety-wise, rocks are the main on-site hazard, with additional submerged rocks noted near the base of The Nut and rocks at both ends of the beach. Rip currents can also occur—especially near rocky headlands—so plan your entry/exit carefully and keep situational awareness high around other beach users and swimmers. Water temperatures are consistently cool to cold (about 13–18°C through the year, depending on month), so a wetsuit such as a 4/3mm is recommended for most days, with boots commonly needed in colder months. Lifeguards are reported as seasonal, and rescue availability is limited, with emergency care reachable via services in Stanley and a hospital around 20 minutes away.
- Crystal-clear water
- North/North-Easterly wind alignment for kitesurfing
- Scenic backdrop under The Nut
- Medium-wave conditions for wave and freeride riding
- Shallow-to-quick-deepening beach profile with moderate shore break
- Crystal-clear water
- Strong north to north-easterly wind alignment for kitesurfing
- Scenic setting below The Nut
- Medium-wave conditions suit wave/free-ride styles for kitesurfers
- Facilities and beach access are available (showers/toilets and nearby parking)
- Cold water year-round
- Rocks at both ends and some submerged rocks
- Moderate rip currents can occur near rocky headlands
- Wind can be turbulent near The Nut when winds have a westerly or southerly component
- Space can be limited at high tide
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NE
- Offshore directions
- S, SSW, SW, SSE, WSW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Afternoon sea-breeze/thermal component reinforcing summer conditions.
- Reliability
- Moderate reliability during the summer season.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium-wave conditions for wind sports.
- Launch
- Small — Sandy beach launch below The Nut; easy self-launch but space can be limited at high tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Easy in general for self-launch, but limited space can occur at high tide and nearshore rocks require care.
Through the year
Busy during school holidays and summer weekends; otherwise fairly quiet.
Winter months (June to August) are typically wet and dominated by strong westerly fronts.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Medium-wave kitesurfing spot with clear water; works best on north to north-easterly winds. Suitable for intermediate to advanced riders due to rocks and wave conditions.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Good for wave sailing when swell is up and wind is from the north or north-east.
Possible, but shore break and wave energy can make launching challenging; best for experienced foilers who can handle some swell.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Produces fun waves locally; best when swell/wrap aligns and winds blow offshore.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Launched/positioned below The Nut with some protection from the surrounding coastline shape versus fully exposed open coast.
- Wind Effect
- Clean with south or south-west winds offshore here.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when the swell exceeds 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Fast, punchy peaks.
- Ride Length
- Short
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–60 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, punchy peaks that can provide short barrels on the right days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Godfreys Beach (Circular Head) in the full forecast view.
Godfreys Beach (Circular Head) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–17 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- WSW251°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2817 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–1.0 m4s period
- Temperature
- 7–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Godfreys Beach (Circular Head) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.2–1.0 m with a period of about 4s. 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
- Rip currents
- Cold water
- The Nut (wind turbulence)
- Submerged rocks near the base of The Nut
- Rocks at both ends of the beach
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Limited rescue availability reported via local volunteer services based in Stanley; no dedicated water rescue station on-site reported.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services via 000; Smithton District Hospital is reported as about 20 minutes away. Rescue coverage is reported as limited (no dedicated water rescue station on-site).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Be mindful of swimmers and other beach users (peak summer visitors). Check tide before heading out because the beach can get very narrow at high tide.
- Kiting may be restricted in designated swimming areas during peak summer holidays.
- Check the tide before kiting—space can be limited at high tide.
- Watch for rocks at both ends of the beach.
- Park at the northern end for best access to the surf club area.
- The site’s cold-water conditions mean you should plan for appropriate thermal protection.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Burnie
- Nearest Town
- Stanley
- Nearest Airport
- Burnie Airport (BWT)
- Parking
- Dedicated parking lot near the playground and Godfreys Beach Surf Life Saving Club; parking available near the beach (no specific fees or restrictions mentioned).
- Public Transport
- Highly limited; private vehicle or rental car essential for accessing the region.
- Access
- Accessible by car with parking near the beach on the east side of the Stanley peninsula; several access paths from the main road and parking areas.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous accommodation options in Stanley, including campsites, historic cottages, and motels.
- Food & Drink
- Several cafes and restaurants are within walking distance in Stanley.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available on-site; equipment rental not available locally.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A tranquil, scenic escape around Stanley with natural landmarks and historic sites, plus nearby wilderness for day trips.
An iconic 143-meter high flat-topped volcanic plug offering panoramic views of the coast.
A preserved 1830s homestead offering insight into the early European settlement of the region.
Guided access to one of the world's largest cool-temperate rainforests nearby.
A historic pub known for local Tasmanian seafood and grass-fed beef.
Evening viewing of Little Penguins returning to their burrows along the shoreline.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Godfreys Beach (Circular Head)?
The best overall months at Godfreys Beach (Circular Head) are October, November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Godfreys Beach (Circular Head)?
Godfreys Beach (Circular Head) works with N, NNE, NE winds. Offshore directions are S, SSW, SW, SSE, WSW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Godfreys Beach (Circular Head)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Godfreys Beach (Circular Head): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Godfreys Beach (Circular Head) suitable for?
Godfreys Beach (Circular Head) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.