Palm Beach
- Bodyboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Palm Beach is an exposed ocean beach break on the Gold Coast, best when east to southeast swells (including groundswells) arrive and West to Southwest winds blow offshore. Multiple banks along a long stretch can make it possible to find more sheltered or quieter peaks, but the overall setup is still an open, exposed beach environment. Surf quality is supported by an artificial reef near 19th Avenue, which helps stabilize sandbanks and can improve wave consistency. Typical sessions are tied to sandbank configuration—waves can be average in overall quality but still produce reliable short-to-medium rides, with ride lengths varying as banks shift. Safety planning matters: rocks are a listed hazard, and rips/strong currents are reported as common across the stretch. Shark nets are located offshore, and artificial reef structures near 19th Avenue add complexity in the water. Check conditions and sandbanks near creek mouths for longer rides, and be prepared for messy paddling on very large swells. For local rules, keep clear of swimming-flagged zones (surfing is prohibited between the red and yellow flags) and respect right-of-way in the lineup. Lifeguard coverage is seasonal and rescue availability is limited, so approach the water conservatively and follow beach signage.
- Offshore wind window from West to Southwest
- East/southeast swell priority
- Artificial reef near 19th Avenue can improve bank stability and consistency
- Long beach with multiple banks—possible to find quieter peaks
- Exposed beach break with fairly dependable surf
- Works best with east/southeast groundswells
- West to Southwest winds tend to be offshore and help keep conditions cleaner
- Artificial reef near 19th Avenue can stabilize banks and improve wave quality
- Rocks and other hazards offshore and in the surf zone
- Rips/strong currents reported as common
- Can become messy and harder to paddle out on very large swells
- Shark nets are present offshore
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WSW
- Offshore directions
- W, WSW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze pattern is described for the region; winter can bring more offshore winds.
- Reliability
- Moderate; highly dependent on seasonal weather systems.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Provider notes wind gusts are generally light.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Provider summaries vary; one lists small wave size while another describes medium swell potential.
- Launch
- Small — Beach access from shore.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch difficulty described as easy; wide sandy beach with ample space for entering the water.
Through the year
Busiest during summer school holidays and weekends; quieter during winter weekdays.
Summer and early autumn can bring tropical cyclones and heavy rain; late summer (January to March) often brings higher rainfall and occasional tropical cyclone activity.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed beach used primarily for downwinders or by experienced riders in cross-shore winds; not a designated beginner spot due to surf and currents.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Foilers often launch here for ocean swells, particularly around the artificial reef area, but must contend with breaking surf.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil friendly is described as limited.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters outside the surf zone
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Palm Beach is an exposed beach break with a consistent stretch of beach breaks. It works best on east to southeast swells, while West to Southwest winds tend to be offshore and improve cleanliness. An artificial reef near 19th Avenue helps stabilize banks and can improve wave quality.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, SE, E
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Optimal tide is listed as all-tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach with minimal wind protection from land.
- Wind Effect
- West or Southwest winds provide clean, offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become messy and difficult to paddle out during very large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality described as average.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wave power described as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Wave shape described as mixed.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel speed described as medium.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length described as medium; short-to-medium rides depending on sandbank configuration.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves typically offer short to medium rides depending on the current sandbank configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Palm Beach in the full forecast view.
Palm Beach wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–13 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- NE42°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–2.0 m7s period
- Temperature
- 19–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Palm Beach is forecast for daytime winds of 3–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.0–2.0 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
- Shark nets located offshore
- Strong currents
- Artificial reef structures near 19th Avenue
- Rocks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards patrol seasonally (including select dates in September) per the spot safety notes.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited.
- Emergency Info
- Contact Gold Coast Surf Life Saving or dial 000 in an emergency.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism is described as mild.
Rules of the spot
Surfing prohibited between the red and yellow flags used for swimming. Respect local right-of-way in the lineup. Avoid flagged swimming areas.
- No surfing in flagged swimming areas.
- Check the sandbanks near the creek mouths at either end for longer rides.
- The 19th Avenue area is often the most consistent thanks to the artificial reef.
- Hazards can include rips and shark nets; because it’s a long beach with multiple banks, it can be easier to find a quieter peak.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Gold Coast
- Nearest Town
- Palm Beach
- Nearest Airport
- Gold Coast Airport (OOL)
- Parking
- Parking available near the beach (street parking at most beach entrances; dedicated parking lots at Surf Life Saving Clubs).
- Public Transport
- 700 and 777 bus routes along the Gold Coast Highway connect southern beaches to light rail and heavy rail networks.
- Access
- Accessible beach with parking available.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Extensive range of holiday apartments, motels, and nearby campsites.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous cafes and restaurants along the Gold Coast Highway and at the Surf Clubs.
- Equipment Rental:
- Local surf shops in Palm Beach and nearby Currumbin offer surfboard rentals.
- Gear Storage
- Limited public gear storage; most riders use personal vehicles or stay in accommodation with dedicated storage areas.
- Gear Repair
- Surfboard repair services are available in the surrounding industrial areas of Currumbin.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A short drive from Palm Beach places visitors within the wider Gold Coast Southern Beaches outdoor and cultural scene, with well-known nature walks and wildlife attractions nearby.
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 Palm Beach?
The best overall months at Palm Beach are August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Palm Beach?
Palm Beach works with W, WSW winds. Offshore directions are W, WSW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Palm Beach?
Recommended equipment sizes at Palm Beach: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Palm Beach suitable for?
Palm Beach suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.