Kirra
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Advanced to Expert
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Kirra is a very sheltered point/groyne break on the Gold Coast, known for consistently clean, crystal-clear water and a powerful right-hand surf setup. For surfing, Kirra is described as a right-hand point break that can produce very powerful, barreling waves. On optimal days, waves can peel for long distances with fast peel speed, and ride lengths around the several-hundred-meter range are reported. Conditions are commonly best with swell from the East to East–South-East / North-East range, and wind influence is favorable when winds are southward (offshore for the surf). Tide guidance is given as mid tide. Kitesurfing also works here, particularly when northerly conditions kick in. Best wind direction for kiting is given as N, NNE, NE, and NNW, with best months spanning January and September through December. Reported kite wind strength is in the modest-to-moderate range (around 9–10 knots in one dataset), while another dataset describes stronger northerly afternoon sea breezes (often 15–25 knots). Kite session guidance emphasizes staying clear of the main surfing lineup. Safety is a key concern at Kirra: hazards reported include rocks/rock groynes, wave-breaker areas, shark presence, and submerged sandbars, alongside strong currents. Lifeguards are described as frequently on duty during daylight hours (with seasonal coverage noted). Due to heavy crowding and strong competitive pressure, strong local awareness and standard ocean etiquette are expected.
- Very sheltered right-hand point/groyne break
- Crystal-clear water
- Long, powerful surf rides on suitable swell
- Kiting possible in northerly wind windows
- Very sheltered point/groyne break with fairly consistent surf
- Crystal-clear water
- Excellent long, powerful right-hand waves for surfing on suitable swell days
- Also works for kitesurfing in the right northerly wind pattern
- Highly crowded, especially during swell peaks and holidays
- Extremely strong currents can move boards quickly down the coast
- Technical environment with rocks/groynes, submerged sandbars, and wave-breaker hazards
- Surf demand is high; kitesurfing should avoid the main surf lineup
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NE, NNW
- Offshore directions
- S, SSW, W
- Wind Range
- 9–10 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Gradient wind driving kiting, with moderate year-round activity reported.
- Reliability
- fair
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Light gusts reported.
- Best Months
- January, September, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach composition reported.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Big — Surf is described as consistently present; swell can reach shoulder-high to double overhead in some guidance.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach area suitable for launching kites in specific wind directions.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty reported as moderate.
Through the year
High year-round, peaking during major swell events and summer holidays.
Summer is the storm season, occasionally bringing cyclones that generate massive swells.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Works for kitesurfing with moderate year-round wind activity and is especially favored when northerly winds kick in.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable for wave sailing during northerly wind events, though less common than kitesurfing.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–6 m²
Foilers can use the area, but breaking waves and shallow sandbars near the point require caution.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly conditions are described as limited.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Sheltered right-hand point/groyne break known for consistent surf. The wave is right-hand with a point/groyne setup and strong crowding.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- E, ESE, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is cited as best.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Reported as very sheltered to semi-sheltered depending on source framing.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore with south and south-west winds; wind effect is described as offshore in South, South-West, and West winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle very large swells, producing intense tube rides.
- Wave Quality
- World class — World-renowned right-hand point break.
- Wave Power
- Very powerful — World-class, powerful wave described with hollow barrels.
- Wave Shape
- Barreling — Often described as hollow barrels.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Waves can peel for several hundred meters on optimal days.
- Ride Length
- Long — Long rides; peel can run for hundreds of meters on optimal days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 300–500 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can peel for several hundred meters on optimal days; one source quotes typical ride lengths of 300–500 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Kirra in the full forecast view.
Kirra wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–13 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- NE41°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–2.0 m7s period
- Temperature
- 18–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Kirra is forecast for daytime winds of 4–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.0–2.0 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- Wave-breaker
- Strong currents
- Rock groynes
- Submerged sandbars
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence is reported, with daylight coverage commonly noted.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is reported as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Lifeguards are frequently on duty during daylight hours.
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Heavy localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette is expected due to extreme crowding. Kitesurfers should stay clear of the main surfing lineup.
- Designated swimming zones (flagged areas)
- Vessel exclusion zones around certain groynes
- The current can be extremely strong; if you lose your board, it may travel down the coast quickly.
- Expect high levels of competition for waves in the lineup.
- Use designated swimming zones (flagged areas) and respect vessel exclusion zones around certain groynes.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Coolangatta
- Nearest Town
- Coolangatta
- Parking
- Public parking lots are available along the beachfront, though they fill up very quickly during good swells.
- Access
- Easily accessible via Musgrave Street with multiple beach access points.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels, apartments, and surf hostels are located within walking distance in Coolangatta and Kirra.
- Food & Drink
- A wide variety of cafes, surf clubs, and restaurants are located directly across from the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard rentals are available at several local surf shops nearby.
- Gear Storage
- Available at select surf clubs and specialized accommodation providers in the area.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops in Coolangatta offer board repair services.
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 Kirra?
The best overall months at Kirra are September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August. The best wind months are January, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Kirra?
Kirra works with N, NNE, NE, NNW winds. Offshore directions are S, SSW, W.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Kirra?
Recommended equipment sizes at Kirra: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 9–10 kts.
What skill level is Kirra suitable for?
Kirra suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.