Greenough River Mouth
- Wave, Shortboard
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Greenough River Mouth is a fairly exposed, reliable beach-break near Geraldton, producing both lefts and rights. Surf quality depends heavily on how the river mouth is behaving and how sandbars at the mouth have formed or shifted, but the spot is consistently described as offering very reliable surf. For surfing, the hazards are a major consideration: the beach is exposed and includes rocks near the break, with strong rip currents reported. There are no lifeguards on site, and local guidance emphasizes checking sandbar conditions—especially after winter storms—before you go out. Wind conditions are shaped by local sea-breeze behavior. Offshore-favoring wind is described from the east/east-southeast for surf, and the spot’s wind use is also linked to the coastal/river-mouth dynamics. Wind performance is reported as variable between clean and blown conditions, with a notable monthly balance reported for May. Safety planning is especially important here due to shark activity and the way rain/river-mouth openings can change conditions. Local tips recommend avoiding dawn/dusk and after heavy rain when the river has opened, and having a controlled plan given the lack of rescue services.
- Very reliable beach break for lefts and rights
- Exposed setting with distant swell tendency
- Sandbar-driven wave quality near the river mouth
- Very reliable, fairly exposed beach break
- Lefts and rights at the break
- Good surf across all tide stages (with variation depending on sandbar state)
- Works well in winter for surfing; wind sports benefit in other seasons
- No lifeguard presence
- Rocks and strong rip currents
- River mouth and sandbars shift, changing wave and navigation conditions
- Shark activity is known
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze/thermal pattern with strong afternoon winds commonly building through the day.
- Reliability
- Moderate clean/blown balance: about 52% clean vs 35% blown (monthly).
- Best Months
- May
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
- Shadow Zones
- Some local turbulence can occur near dunes, but conditions are generally workable.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach; shifting sandbars at the river mouth.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Surf and swell described as medium.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with space for rigging near the mouth.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty described as moderate; sand movement and sandbar state affect access and conditions.
Through the year
Quiet on weekdays; moderate crowds on weekends from the Geraldton community.
Winter months (June to August) bring occasional storms and rain; sandbars and river mouth openings can change after storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A popular spot for wave riding and freeride; side-shore wind plus the river mouth waves can work well as an alternative when other areas are busier.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Excellent wave sailing when the swell is up; described as more rugged than some town options.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.3 m²
Suitable for foiling in the ocean, but shifting sandbars and rocks near the river mouth require caution.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendliness is described as limited.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
A fairly exposed, reliable beach break near the river mouth with lefts and rights; wave quality depends on the state of the river mouth and sand accumulation. Works across all tide stages, but is strongly shaped by sandbar formation.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Also noted as mid-tide optimal in some conditions; overall described as good at all tide stages.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach setting.
- Wind Effect
- Easterly to east-southeast winds are described as offshore-best for surf.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold size, but may start to close out on massive swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good quality overall; reliability and exposure are recurring themes.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power; surf reliability is emphasized overall.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling sections are typical.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Wave peel described as medium.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length is described as medium; depends on sandbar formation at the mouth.
- Ride Length Details
- Dependent on sandbar formation at the mouth.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Greenough River Mouth in the full forecast view.
Greenough River Mouth wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–19 ktsGusts 34 kts
- Direction
- S174°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2419 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–2.5 m10s period
- Temperature
- 10–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Greenough River Mouth is forecast for daytime winds of 5–19 kts, peaking around 19 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 34 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 1.0–2.5 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
- rip currents
- sharks
- submerged rocks
- shifting sandbars
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard services provided.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability is listed as no.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Geraldton, approximately 10-15 km north. In Australia, call 000 for emergencies.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Localism described as none (with other notes suggesting mild local community presence).
Rules of the spot
Avoid surfing when river conditions are changed by rain and the river mouth opens, and check sandbars before heading out as the mouth and bars can shift after winter storms.
- No lifeguards on site.
- Shark activity is known in the area—avoid surfing at dawn or dusk or after heavy rain when the river has opened.
- Check sandbars before going out as they shift frequently after winter storms.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Geraldton
- Nearest Town
- Cape Burney
- Parking
- Unregulated dirt/gravel parking area near the beach.
- Public Transport
- Public transport is limited; a rental car or private vehicle is essential for accessing launches along the coastline
- Access
- Accessed from Cape Burney via tracks from the Greenough River Road. Some sections may require a 4WD depending on recent weather and sand movement.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Caravan parks and hotels are available in Geraldton and the historic Greenough area.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities at the beach; closest options are in Geraldton.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available in Geraldton town center.
- Gear Storage
- Storage facilities are available via local windsurfing and kitesurfing shops and/or through some accommodation providers in Geraldton.
- Gear Repair
- Available at shops in Geraldton.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The broader Greenough Coast/Geraldton area is known for rugged natural beauty, coastal outdoor activities, and regional history.
A major national memorial dedicated to the lost crew of the HMAS Sydney II.
A well-preserved 19th-century village providing insight into early colonial life.
Excursions for diving, snorkeling, and fishing at the nearby archipelago.
A hub of cafes, bars, and restaurants overlooking the ocean.
Seasonal outdoor water playground suitable for children.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Greenough River Mouth?
The best overall months at Greenough River Mouth are May.
Which wind directions work at Greenough River Mouth?
Greenough River Mouth works with E, ESE winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Greenough River Mouth?
Recommended equipment sizes at Greenough River Mouth: Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4.2–5.3 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Greenough River Mouth suitable for?
Greenough River Mouth suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.