Lighthouse Bay (Tasmania)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Lighthouse Bay (Tasmania) is a remote, exposed surfing beach break on South Bruny’s east coast, where the Southern Ocean drives cold but clean water conditions. The coastline setup can produce powerful waves, and the spot is typically most reliable in winter—particularly around July—with a northwest wind pattern that often supports cleaner surf. Surf is mainly left-hand at the beach-break, with the best results reported at high tide. It’s described as a cobble-and-sandy setup with submerged hazards near headlands, and the surf zone can be limited—so while rides may be short to medium, there can be decent wall sections when conditions aren’t overpowered. Safety is a major factor here: rocks and strong rip currents are key hazards, and sharks are also listed as a risk. The area has no lifeguard/patrol coverage, and rescue availability is effectively not present on-beach—so self-rescue capability, careful positioning away from hazards, and practical preparation (first aid and communication) are essential. For staying comfortable and safe, thick wetsuits with boots are strongly recommended due to cold water temperatures. Wind and swell are highly weather-driven in this wilderness setting, with winter fronts bringing the most consistent surf windows and the potential for disorganized, heavy conditions on the largest days.
- Exposed Southern Ocean beach-break with winter reliability (best month: July)
- Northwest winds often provide clean/offshore conditions
- Remote wilderness setting near Cape Bruny Lighthouse
- Cold water year-round—thick wetsuit and footwear recommended
- Exposed Southern Ocean beach-break surf with generally consistent conditions in winter
- Offshore northwest winds can help keep conditions clean
- Relatively few surfers even on good days
- Exposed coastline with cold water year-round
- Remote access and limited/no on-site services
- Rocks and strong rip currents increase risk
- Can close out on very large swells
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Northwest winds associated with Southern Ocean frontal systems.
- Reliability
- Moderate; highly dependent on Southern Ocean frontal systems.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- July
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs near the lighthouse can create turbulence in certain wind directions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Concrete — Beach composition reported as concrete by one source; other sources describe cobble/cobble-and-sandy conditions, especially near the high-tide cobble beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Big — Reported from medium up to huge depending on conditions.
- Launch
- Medium — Crenulate ~150m long high-tide cobble beach in the northeastern corner; main beach curves roughly 1km west to southwest.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty reported.
Through the year
Generally quiet year-round due to the remote location.
Winter months see frequent cold fronts and storm activity.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed cobble-and-sandy beach break on South Bruny’s east coast with consistent Southern Ocean energy, mainly left-hand waves in many sets. Best at high tide; surf can close out when swell gets very large.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — Works at all tides, but high tide is optimal.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed to the Southern Ocean; open coastal exposure with minimal protection.
- Wind Effect
- Northwest winds are described as providing clean, offshore conditions for the surf.
- Bigger Swell
- With very large Southern Ocean swells, waves can become heavy and disorganized and prone to closing out.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Reported as average overall; can be good when conditions line up.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Can become heavy/disorganized when swell is very large; otherwise moderate power at times.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Mixed wave shapes reported.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Reported as medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Short — One source describes short rides; another notes decent sections but with closing-out as swell grows.
- Ride Length Details
- Roughly 80m wide surf zone; generally short rides.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Lighthouse Bay (Tasmania) in the full forecast view.
Lighthouse Bay (Tasmania) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–19 ktsGusts 33 kts
- Direction
- W262°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2819 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–3.4 m10s period
- Temperature
- 8–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Lighthouse Bay (Tasmania) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–19 kts, peaking around 19 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 33 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 1.2–3.4 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
- Rips/strong rip currents
- Rocks
- Sharks
- Kelp
- Remote location
- Strong rip against the eastern headland
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard or surf life saving patrols reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated on-beach rescue service; remote access and self-rescue planning required.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Alonnah; for major emergencies, transport to Hobart is required.
Rules of the spot
Park entry fees and regulations apply; no services provided by surf life saving.
- No camping on the beach
- National Park regulations
- No surf life saving patrols—plan for self-rescue.
- Use caution around the eastern headland due to strong rip currents.
- Rocks extend about 100m offshore to the west.
- Bring a very thick wetsuit and communication/first aid for a remote beach.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hobart
- Nearest Town
- Alonnah
- Nearest Airport
- Hobart International Airport (HBA)
- Parking
- Parking is available at the Cape Bruny Lighthouse area or designated trailheads within the National Park.
- Public Transport
- Extremely limited; a vehicle is required to board the Bruny Island ferry from Kettering, with no public transit on the island itself.
- Access
- Accessible via a 4WD or high-clearance vehicle through South Bruny National Park, followed by a walk to the beach. Parking is available at the Cape Bruny Lighthouse area or designated trailheads within the National Park.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping is available at Jetty Beach nearby; various holiday rentals are located in Alonnah and Lunawanna.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities at the beach; nearest supplies are in Lunawanna or Alonnah.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available locally; bring all gear from Hobart.
- Gear Storage
- No public gear storage facilities available in the national park area.
- Gear Repair
- No repair services on the island; nearest services are located in greater Hobart.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Cape Bruny’s area is known for rugged southern coastline scenery, nature viewing, and lighthouse history.
Historic 1836 lighthouse with panoramic views of the rugged southern coastline.
Coastal tracks including the Labillardiere Peninsula circuit.
Local produce and dining.
Sheltered beach suitable for families and swimming within the national park.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Lighthouse Bay (Tasmania)?
The best overall months at Lighthouse Bay (Tasmania) are March, April, May, June, July, August. The best wind months are July.
Which wind directions work at Lighthouse Bay (Tasmania)?
Lighthouse Bay (Tasmania) works with NW winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is Lighthouse Bay (Tasmania) suitable for?
Lighthouse Bay (Tasmania) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.