Moreton Island (Queensland)

KitesurfingWindsurfingWingfoilingSurfing
Freeride, Shortboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Swell
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Moreton Island (Mulgumpin) is a remote, sand-island surfing and water-sports landscape in Moreton Bay, noted for exceptional water clarity and a coastline that alternates between sheltered bay systems and exposed ocean-facing beach breaks. Surf guidance emphasizes that eastern swells can deliver mostly offshore, clean waves, while the island’s headlands and varied shorelines create a mix of beach break setups and more point-like quality at certain locations. For surfing, conditions are described as dynamic and best around June, when surf reports commonly reference head-high to overhead potential and a comparatively better “clean” profile (with a reported monthly blown percentage of 37). The ride character varies: beach breaks tend to give short to medium rides, while the better-form points can peel for longer during heavier swells. Overall, the coast is exposed to swell, so expect a changing mix of power and shape across breaks. Safety is a major theme for the island. Hazards specifically called out include sharks and jellyfish (including bluebottle), with additional risks on the eastern ocean side such as rip currents and strong tidal flows. Because rescues are described as limited and there’s no permanent hospital, the guidance stresses planning ahead—especially for the more remote eastern side—and never going alone when conditions make support harder. Beyond surfing, the wind pattern supports multiple disciplines across the island. Spring and summer trade winds and summer sea breezes can produce consistent afternoon wind, with a sea-breeze tendency reinforcing south-easterly conditions. Reports describe the western side as more suitable for freeride/foil kiting and foiling, while the eastern side is more wave-oriented for experienced riders. Access and logistics are part of the experience: the island is reached by ferry and requires permits and 4WD for vehicle travel across beaches.

  • Exceptional water clarity in protected Moreton Bay Marine Park
  • Eastern swells can produce offshore-favorable, clean surf
  • Seasonal wind supports surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, and wingfoiling
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardKitesurfing freerideKitesurfing foilWingfoil freeride
What's great
  • Exceptional water clarity in protected Moreton Bay Marine Park
  • Diverse surfing terrain (beach breaks, spits, bays, and exposed points) with offshore-favorable setups on eastern swells
  • High seasonal winds support not only surfing but also kitesurfing, windsurfing, and wingfoiling
Heads up
  • Remote and exposed eastern coastline with significant swell and changing conditions
  • Hazards include sharks, jellyfish/bluebottles, rip currents, and strong tidal flows
  • No lifeguards; emergency response is limited and may require helicopter evacuation
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
SSE, SE, NE
Offshore directions
W, WSW, SW
Wind Range
15–25 kts
Wind Type
Trade — Dominant South-East trade winds throughout the year, with reliable North-East sea breezes during summer; strong afternoon sea-breeze winds can build through the day.
Reliability
37 (monthly blown percentage reported; spring/summer described as reliable).
Gust Factor
Light gusts — Light-gust conditions noted; surf guidance reports moderate blown percentage overall.
Best Months
June
Recommended Kite Sizes
9–12 m²

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell
Beach
Sand — Sand beach composition.
Beach Size
Big
Waves
Medium — Surf reports characterize the island as offering medium wave conditions broadly, with potential for larger surf at exposed locations.
Launch
Big — Expansive sandy beaches on both the western and eastern sides
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Launch difficulty described as moderate.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
19–27 °C
Water Temperature
21–29 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Dec–Mar: rash vest or shortyJun, Jul, Aug: 3/2mmApr, May: 2mm shorty in spring/autumn
Crowds by Season

Highest during school holidays and long weekends; very quiet mid-week.

Storm/Rain Season

Summer months (December to February) can experience tropical storms and humidity; November to February (thunderstorm season).

By sport

What to expect for each.

KitesurfingSkill Level

Western side described as flat to choppy water suitable for freeriding and foiling in south-easterly winds; eastern side offers wave riding for experienced kiters.

FreerideFoilWaveStrapless
Kite Sizes
9–12 m²
WindsurfingSkill Level

Suitable for slalom and freeride on the western side when south-easterly trades are blowing.

FreerideSlalomFoil
Sail Sizes
5.5–7.5 m²
WingfoilingSkill Level

Excellent foiling conditions on the western side, with consistent afternoon winds and deep water access.

Foil Friendly
Yes
Min Depth
1.5 meters
Wing Sizes
4–6 m²
SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Moreton Island has extensive beach breaks with spits and bays among rugged rocky headlands. Eastern swells tend to produce mostly offshore, clean waves, ranging from head-high to overhead in suitable conditions.

Beach break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
E, ESE, SE
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
All tides — Best tide reported as all-tides for the surfing window.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed to Pacific swell; conditions vary across the island.
Wind Effect
Offshore-favorable when winds suit eastern beaches; generally offshore/clean on eastern swells per reports.
Bigger Swell
North Point begins to break properly and can handle significant size.
Wave Quality
Good — Described as good quality with offshore-favorable setup on east swells.
Wave Power
Moderate — Annual conditions described as mostly clean/offshore on eastern swells, but general surf rating varies by guide.
Wave Shape
Peeling — Also described as clean, mostly offshore waves on eastern swells.
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Medium — Beach breaks offer short to medium rides; longer peeling rides possible at North Point on heavier swells.
Ride Length Details
Beach breaks offer short to medium rides; North Point can offer long, peeling rights during heavy swells.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Moreton Island (Queensland) in the full forecast view.

Moreton Island (Queensland) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
7–19 ktsGusts 27 kts
Direction
NE47°
Strongest day
Sun, Oct 2519 kts
Windy days
4/712 kts or more
Waves
0.8–1.7 m7s period
Temperature
21–24 °C

Over the next 7 days, Moreton Island (Queensland) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–19 kts, peaking around 19 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.8–1.7 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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

  • Sharks
  • Jellyfish
  • Rip currents
  • Bluebottle jellyfish
  • Strong tidal flows
  • Vehicle traffic on beaches
  • Protected marine park zones
  • Submerged hazards in some areas (submerged rock) and fallen trees (northern beaches)
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitLeashImpact vest

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards indicated.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — Rescue availability described as limited; emergency services via 000 and helicopter medical evacuation from Brisbane for serious incidents.
Emergency Info
No permanent hospital on the island; emergency evacuations are by helicopter or water police from Brisbane.
Localism / Vibe
None — Localism described as none.

Rules of the spot

4WD vehicles must have a permit; standard road rules apply on all beaches.

Restrictions
  • Protected marine park zones
  • Camping permits required
  • Vehicle access permits required
Local Tips
  • Watch out for sharks, especially near wrecks and on the western side where they are known to feed.
  • Bluebottles can be present.
  • The eastern side is very remote—never surf alone there.
  • Check the tide for beach driving as some sections are impassable at high tide.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Brisbane
Nearest Town
Bulwer
Nearest Airport
Brisbane Airport (BNE)
Parking
Parking is primarily beach-based or at designated camping areas; permits are essential.
Public Transport
Access is via vehicular and passenger ferries from the Port of Brisbane or Redcliffe (no regular public transport on the island itself).
Access
Accessible only by ferry from Brisbane; 4WD is mandatory for island travel.
Cost Level
Expensive
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Toilets
Camping
Picnic area
Accommodation
Nearby town — Accommodation ranges from Tangalooma Island Resort to managed National Park campsites and private holiday house rentals; many visitors also stay in Brisbane or Cleveland for day-trips.
Food & Drink
Limited options in Bulwer and the Tangalooma Resort; visitors should bring their own supplies.
Equipment Rental:
Rental for non-motorized water sports is available at the resort; specialized kite/windsurf gear typically needs to be brought from the mainland. No dedicated surf or kite shops for rentals were specifically indicated.
Gear Storage
Limited storage noted for resort guests or private residences; island storage availability described as limited.
Gear Repair
No dedicated surf or kite shops for rentals; professional gear repair facilities are not indicated on the island.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Nature-focused destination in Moreton Bay known for sand landscapes, marine life, and clear-water snorkeling/diving around the island.

Best time to visit: June to August (mild, sunny, dry) and also spring/summer for warm weather and consistent winds.
Tangalooma Wrecks0-5km

A cluster of 15 deliberately sunken ships creating an artificial reef for snorkeling and diving.

Cape Moreton Lighthouse15km

Queensland's first lighthouse, built in 1857 from local sandstone.

Sand Tobogganing5km

High-speed sliding down the massive sand dunes in the island's interior desert area.

The Wheelhouse2km

A casual dining venue within the island's main resort area.

Wild Dolphin Feeding1km

A supervised program at Tangalooma where visitors can hand-feed a pod of wild bottlenose dolphins.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Moreton Island (Queensland)?

The best overall months at Moreton Island (Queensland) are June.

Which wind directions work at Moreton Island (Queensland)?

Moreton Island (Queensland) works with SSE, SE, NE winds. Offshore directions are W, WSW, SW.

What equipment sizes are recommended at Moreton Island (Queensland)?

Recommended equipment sizes at Moreton Island (Queensland): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.

What skill level is Moreton Island (Queensland) suitable for?

Moreton Island (Queensland) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.