Nobby Beach
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Nobby Beach (also known as Mermaid Beach / Nobbys Beach 1) is an exposed Gold Coast beach break with crystal-clear water and a sandy bottom. For surfing, it’s known for creating multiple sandbank-driven peaks that can produce both left and right waves, with an exposed character and average overall wave quality. For wind sports, the wide, open sandy beach helps with practical launching and space for rigging outside the swimming flags. Conditions are influenced by mixed wind sources: summer often brings strong NE sea breezes, while other seasonal wind patterns (including SE trade events) can also work. Kite and wind sessions are generally aimed at intermediate riders, with kites commonly using 9–12 m² and wave/wind freeride styles favored. Safety is a key factor. Sources highlight rip currents and rocks near the headland, plus shark presence and the need to watch swimmers because designated swimming zones are enforced. In addition, there are shared-water-use expectations: give way to surfers in the lineup, and avoid wind/kitesurfing within the red/yellow flagged areas. Timing-wise, surf conditions are described as most reliable around June in the surf-spot guide, while wind months commonly include January, February, September, October, November, and December. Temperature trends align with a warm year-round beach: air and water are generally warmer from spring through summer, while colder months may prompt a light-to-moderate wetsuit approach.
- Exposed beach-break surfing with left/right sandbank peaks
- Summer NE sea-breeze wind often develops in the afternoon
- Wide open sand for launching/rigging outside flagged swimming zones
- Typically low crowd levels
- Reliable exposed beach-break surf with left/right sandbanks
- Good wind options for intermediate riders, including summer NE sea breezes
- Wide sandy beach space for launching/rigging outside flagged swim areas
- Typically rarely crowded
- Exposed conditions can get choppy in some wind directions
- Rip currents and rocks are present
- Swimming zones and shared-use rules can limit wind/kite sessions
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NE, SE, SSE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Spot sees both thermal sea-breeze conditions (summer) and SE trade-type winds.
- Reliability
- High during the summer sea-breeze season and during winter SE events.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- The Nobby Beach headland can create a small wind shadow at the very southern end in SE directions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Flat — Sources also describe medium surf; actual size varies with sandbank and swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with space for rigging outside flagged swimming zones.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch is described as easy in one dataset; other sources describe moderate launch difficulty.
Through the year
Busiest during school holidays and summer weekends; generally less crowded than other popular nearby hubs.
Tropical storm season typically occurs from January to March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Classic wave-riding and freeride spot; open beach can provide room for long downwinders, with conditions influenced by NE sea breezes and SE trade winds.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable for wave sailing and coastal freeride; the beach break can be challenging for beginners, but experienced riders enjoy bump-and-jump conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–6.5 m²
Accessible for riders comfortable in surf conditions; water depth is sufficient once past the shore break.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach break with reliable surf and multiple sandbanks that create left and right peaks (wave direction can be both).
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, ESE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore in west or SW winds; NE and SE winds can create messy, choppy conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out in very large swells over 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typically provides 50–100 m rides on good days; can vary with sandbank quality.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Dependent on sandbank quality; typically 50–100 m on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Nobby Beach in the full forecast view.
Nobby Beach wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- NNE30°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2511 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.8 m7s period
- Temperature
- 18–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Nobby Beach is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is NNE. Waves run 0.9–1.8 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
- rip currents
- Sharks
- Rocks
- Swimmers
- locals
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited.
- Emergency Info
- Contact Gold Coast Surf Life Saving or call 000 in an emergency.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Be aware of local surfers and designated swimming zones; give way to surfers in the lineup. No kitesurfing or windsurfing within the red and yellow swimming flags.
- Designated swimming zones (red/yellow flagged areas).
- Take care of rips and rocks/headland outcrops.
- Check the sandbanks after a big swell as they shift frequently.
- Summer NE winds are typically cleaner than winter SE winds.
- Give way to surfers in the lineup.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Gold Coast
- Nearest Town
- Mermaid Beach
- Nearest Airport
- Gold Coast Airport (OOL)
- Parking
- On-street parking available along Albatross Avenue and near the Surf Life Saving Club; can fill quickly on weekends.
- Public Transport
- Bus and train/bus options along the Gold Coast corridor
- Access
- Easily accessible via Gold Coast Highway with several beach access paths through the parklands.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Plenty of holiday rentals, apartments, and motels in the Nobby Beach / Mermaid Beach area.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous cafes, bars, and restaurants located about one block back on the Gold Coast Highway.
- Equipment Rental:
- Board rentals available via local surf shops in the wider Gold Coast area; kitesurfing/wingfoiling rentals are primarily handled by specialized shops locally.
- Gear Storage
- Limited public gear storage; most riders use personal vehicles or accommodation storage.
- Gear Repair
- Surfboard repairs available at local workshops in nearby industrial areas.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A laid-back southern Gold Coast coastal corridor with surf culture, nearby nature areas, and straightforward access to dining and family attractions.
World-renowned heritage-listed zoological garden famous for its bird feeding and native Australian animals.
Gold Coast's only dedicated Aboriginal cultural center offering tours of Burleigh Headland.
Popular hiking trails offering coastal views and whale watching opportunities during the winter migration.
Iconic beachfront venue offering drinks and dining with views over the point break.
Protected turquoise waters ideal for families, swimming, and paddleboarding.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Nobby Beach?
The best overall months at Nobby Beach are January, February, March, August, September, October, November, December. The best wind months are January, February, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Nobby Beach?
Nobby Beach works with N, NNE, NE, SE, SSE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Nobby Beach?
Recommended equipment sizes at Nobby Beach: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Nobby Beach suitable for?
Nobby Beach suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.