Otherside of the Moon (Margaret River)
- Advanced riders, Shortboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Otherside of the Moon is an exposed reef break in the Margaret River area near Cape Naturaliste. It’s known for dependable surf, with the best reported conditions occurring in May, when offshore east winds and a west-to-west-southwest swell line up. The ride is typically a fast, powerful right-hand reef wave with hollow characteristics. It breaks over a shallow reef shelf, so it can change quickly with swell size and where the energy is landing—sources emphasize that it holds size well when swell ramps up enough to break away from the shallowest sections. Wind cleanliness is a key part of the spot’s performance. In May, clean surfable waves are reported about 36% of the time, while conditions are blown out roughly 63% of the time, so sessions are highly dependent on getting the wind direction and timing right. Safety is a priority here: the break is rocky and sits over sharp shallow reef. There can be strong currents, powerful waves, and the spot is described as advanced-level terrain with moderate localism. There is no lifeguard presence at the spot, and rescue is described as limited with emergency response coordinated through the regional emergency services.
- Fast, powerful right-hand reef waves
- Best surf window reported for May
- Mid tide preferred
- Offshore east winds improve wave cleanliness
- Exposed reef break with dependable surf
- Often hollow, powerful fast right-hand waves for capable surfers
- Mid tide is typically preferred
- Best month reported as May
- Sharp reef/rocks and submerged hazards
- Often crowded when conditions are good
- No on-water lifeguards
- Wind can be unreliable; waves can be blown out much of the time
- Best conditions depend on the right swell + offshore wind combination
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Offshore directions
- E, NNE, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Seasonal onshore/offshore balance reported; spot guide notes best winds from the east.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- May
- Shadow Zones
- sheltered-from-southerly-winds-by-headland
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Reef
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium wave size reported; working swell height window provided by sources.
- Launch
- Small — Limited/rocky access.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Limited, rocky access.
Through the year
Often crowded when conditions are good due to its reputation.
Winter months see the most storm activity.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break in the Margaret River region with dependable surf, strongest in autumn. Works best when a West-southwest swell combines with offshore east winds, producing a fast, hollow right over a shallow reef shelf.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- WSW, W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best reported tide: mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef break; also described as semi-sheltered by a headland in some conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore-optimal when east winds are in the right range; East-Southeast winds provide the cleanest offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds-size-well (keeps size as swell increases).
- Wave Quality
- Good — Monthly clean conditions reported around 36% in May; otherwise it can be blown out.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful and fast right-hand reef break.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Known for hollow sections.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast sections over a shallow reef shelf.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Fast sections over a shallow reef shelf.
- Ride Length Details
- Fast sections over a shallow reef shelf.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Otherside of the Moon (Margaret River) in the full forecast view.
Otherside of the Moon (Margaret River) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–20 ktsGusts 30 kts
- Direction
- S191°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2420 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–3.4 m10s period
- Temperature
- 12–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Otherside of the Moon (Margaret River) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–20 kts, peaking around 20 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.8–3.4 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
- Rocks
- Sharp shallow reef
- Submerged rocks
- Powerful waves
- Strong currents
- Sharks
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated full-time on-water rescue for all launches; seasonal Surf Life Saving patrols operate at major nearby beaches.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Dunsborough. Emergency number is 000; nearest hospital is Busselton Health Campus.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the locals.
- Watch the reef on entry and exit as it can be very sharp.
- Best surfed when the swell is large enough to break away from the shallowest sections.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Margaret River
- Nearest Town
- Cape Naturaliste
- Parking
- Limited parking at the end of the access tracks or at the main lighthouse carpark; also noted: free off-street parking available nearby (may apply to spot access).
- Access
- Access is via Bunker Bay Road off Cape Naturaliste Road; alternative access described as a walk from the Cape Naturaliste lighthouse area or via 4WD tracks.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping and holiday rentals available in Dunsborough and Yallingup.
- Food & Drink
- None at the spot; nearest options are in Dunsborough.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops available in Dunsborough and Yallingup.
- Gear Storage
- Generally not available at public beach areas; most visitors store gear at their accommodation or in private vehicles.
- Gear Repair
- Repair services available in Margaret River and Dunsborough.
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 Otherside of the Moon (Margaret River)?
The best overall months at Otherside of the Moon (Margaret River) are April, May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are May.
Which wind directions work at Otherside of the Moon (Margaret River)?
Otherside of the Moon (Margaret River) works with E winds. Offshore directions are E, NNE, NE.
What skill level is Otherside of the Moon (Margaret River) suitable for?
Otherside of the Moon (Margaret River) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.