Nine Mile Beach (Glamorgan-Spring Bay)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Nine Mile Beach (Glamorgan-Spring Bay) is a long, remote sandy coastline known for crystal-clear water and wide open space for wind sports. In summer, conditions are typically driven by a classic seabreeze influence, with the best wind often arriving from the south to southwest sector during the afternoon. This makes the beach especially attractive for kitesurfers looking for freeride and wave/foil options without tight launch constraints. Kitesurfing is the standout activity here, with riders commonly working toward intermediate progression (freeride, wave, and foil). The beach’s remoteness and length also mean planning matters: there are no on-beach services, the area is unstaffed, and help can be far away if you get into trouble. Safety planning is essential due to reported rips/currents and reef/submerged rock hazards, which are especially relevant on bigger swell days and at lower tides. Surfing is possible on the exposed beach-break, with waves often described as best at the northern end or near the inlet. Accounts differ on exact quality, but the general theme is an exposed sandy break that can work with suitable swell (with small shore break) while requiring attention to rips on bigger days. Larger swell can also increase the risk of closing out. For wingfoiling, conditions can vary depending on where you launch and the tide, with some guidance emphasizing scouting for reefs/submerged rocks. Windsurfing is also feasible (ocean freeride and wave), though it’s less common partly due to the dune approach. Overall, this is a nature-focused destination with cool water outside summer, so bringing the right wetsuit and cold-water protection is part of the standard setup.
- Long remote 13–15 km sandy beach with easy tracks for access along the Dolphin Sands road.
- Summer seabreeze (S–SW) is the classic wind pattern; afternoon strength is typical.
- Clear water with small-to-medium wave potential and options for freeride/wave/foil kitesurfing.
- Long, expansive sandy beach with lots of space for setup and launches.
- Crystal-clear water with small-to-medium waves and a summer seabreeze pattern.
- Kitesurfing can range from freeride through wave and foil styles for intermediate riders.
- Generally low crowd levels due to remoteness and the long coastline.
- Remote and low-infrastructure (no on-site facilities; bring water/gear).
- No dedicated on-beach lifeguards/rescue reported for the stretch.
- Reef/submerged rock exposure on lower tides and occasional rips/currents can make conditions hazardous.
- Cold water outside summer.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE, SW, W
- Offshore directions
- W, NW, WNW, NW
- Wind Range
- 25–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Classic summer seabreeze influence (strongest in summer).
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Reported as light-gusts in general, and also described as steady by some accounts.
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February, March
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium by some accounts; overall commonly small-to-medium.
- Launch
- Big — Extremely long sandy beach with space for setup/launch/landing; access may be limited to specific public paths through dunes.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
Through the year
Low crowd levels are reported year-round.
Winter (June–August) sees more frequent frontal systems and rain.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Remote long sandy beach with plenty of space; summer sea-breezes from S–SW are the classic setup. Offers freeride and wave riding, with foil riding also possible.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Ocean freeriding and bump-and-jump; less frequently visited by windsurfers due to the dune walk/approach.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Ocean side can provide rolling swells for winging; lagoon areas can offer flatter water for progression.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly can depend on launch/tide and avoiding submerged rocks.
- Min Depth
- 1.5m beyond the shore break
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach break on a long sand stretch; waves often best at the northern end or near the inlet.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE, E
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Also commonly noted as best at mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- East winds are onshore; West to North-West are offshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swell exceeds about 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Quality described as average; other accounts note strong left and right-handers on the sandy beach.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Also described as powerful by some accounts.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Described as mixed by some sources.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Nine Mile Beach (Glamorgan-Spring Bay) in the full forecast view.
Nine Mile Beach (Glamorgan-Spring Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–13 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- WSW242°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2813 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.0 m7s period
- Temperature
- 6–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Nine Mile Beach (Glamorgan-Spring Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.3–1.0 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
- rips/currents
- reef patches
- submerged rocks
- remote location
- cold water in winter
- sharks
- strong currents near lagoon entrance
- sensitive dune vegetation
- occasional driftwood
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated on-beach rescue/lifeguard service reported for this stretch; regional rescue operates out of Swansea and Bicheno.
- Emergency Info
- Swansea has the nearest basic medical facilities; Hobart has major hospitals. Emergency number 000.
Rules of the spot
Respect sensitive dune environment; stay on designated tracks. National Park Pass required for access. Vehicles prohibited on the beach; dogs must be on leashes in specific conservation areas (as noted in access guidance).
- National Park Pass required for access
- Vehicles prohibited on the beach
- Respect dune protection rules; use designated tracks
- Dogs must be on leashes in specific conservation areas
- Scout reef sections for shallow spots on lower tides and sneaky rocks toward the east.
- Watch out for dangerous rips on bigger days.
- Because the beach is very long, avoid kiting alone as help can be far away.
- Launching is typically done on the ocean beach; be mindful of dune restrictions and sensitive vegetation.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Swansea
- Nearest Town
- Swansea
- Parking
- Car parks and tracks to the beach along the Dolphin Sands access road; limited parking at public beach access points.
- Public Transport
- Extremely limited; private car is required for beach access.
- Access
- Dolphin Sands access road runs the length of the beach with public access points spaced about each kilometre; parking available at public beach access points along the road. Access is about 140km northeast of Hobart.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday rentals in Dolphin Sands and accommodation in nearby Swansea.
- Food & Drink
- No toilets/cafes or beach facilities; shops and restaurants are in Swansea.
- Equipment Rental:
- No equipment rental available on-site.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A peaceful coastal area centered on the expansive Nine Mile Beach, with scenery and nature-focused day trips nearby.
Home to the world-famous Wineglass Bay, with hiking trails and coastal views.
A historic mill in Swansea showcasing agricultural and maritime history.
A day trip for cycling and viewing Tasmanian devils and wombats in a car-free national park.
Popular local bakery and cafe in Swansea.
Berry farm offering fruit picking and ice cream with views over Great Oyster Bay.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Nine Mile Beach (Glamorgan-Spring Bay)?
The best overall months at Nine Mile Beach (Glamorgan-Spring Bay) are December, January, February, March. The best wind months are November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Nine Mile Beach (Glamorgan-Spring Bay)?
Nine Mile Beach (Glamorgan-Spring Bay) works with SE, SW, W winds. Offshore directions are W, NW, WNW, NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Nine Mile Beach (Glamorgan-Spring Bay)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Nine Mile Beach (Glamorgan-Spring Bay): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 25–30 kts.
What skill level is Nine Mile Beach (Glamorgan-Spring Bay) suitable for?
Nine Mile Beach (Glamorgan-Spring Bay) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.