Scarborough 2
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Scarborough 2 is a sandy-bottom beach break on Perth’s northern coastline where surf is frequently on the smaller side and can become sloppy or close out most of the year, though it can improve when the sandbar setup, tide, and conditions line up. Multiple peaks can form across the sandbars, but the exposed beach environment and shifting bars can make wave consistency less predictable. For surfing, morning conditions with easterly/offshore winds are described as offering the cleanest wave shapes. South-west winds are reported to add heavier chop, so timing and wind direction matter. Typical rides are short (commonly reported around 30–60 m) and faster, punchier sections often end in a close-out near shore. In summer, an afternoon sea-breeze pattern (associated with the Fremantle Doctor) is described as strong and recurring, supporting wind- and foil-focused sessions. Winds are commonly in the 15–25 knots range, and the thermal window is described as starting roughly late morning/early afternoon and persisting through the afternoon into sunset (reported as around 12:00 PM–6:00 PM in one source, with regional guidance extending later to 7:00 PM). This same beach also sees heavy competition for space due to large crowds. Safety is a key concern at this spot: rip currents are common, shorebreak can be heavy, and sandbars shift—especially after winter storms. Lifeguards maintain strict zones between the flags, and no surfing or kiting is allowed within swimming-restricted areas. Crowds are frequently very intense, with many learner surfers who may drop in, so arriving early and managing right-of-way is especially important.
- Cleanest surfing conditions reported with easterly winds (offshore)
- Afternoon sea-breeze pattern is typically reliable in summer for wind sports
- Multiple sandbar peaks can appear during suitable conditions
- Sandy beach break with multiple peaks along sandbars
- Afternoon sea-breeze pattern can be strong and reliable in summer for wind sports
- Year-round patrol zones with lifeguards and clear restricted areas
- Often small and sloppy, with frequent close-outs
- Highly crowded, especially with learner surfers
- Rip currents are common and sandbars shift
- Beach/shorebreak can be heavy and exposed
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, S, SW, SSW
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Summer afternoon sea-breeze pattern associated with the Fremantle Doctor.
- Reliability
- High during summer months.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Reported as steady conditions during the sea-breeze period.
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February, March
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Often small; can be medium under the right setup.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — South-west winds can create heavier chop.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with ample space, but can be crowded with beachgoers in summer months.
Through the year
Very crowded during summer weekends and school holidays.
June to August (windiest/wettest period with more stormy frontal systems).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Often a sea-breeze afternoon window; main beach area can be restricted to surfers/swimmers, while kiters may use a southern launch area when conditions suit.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Popular summer bump-and-jump windsurfing in the sea breeze; waves typically manageable with some experience.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.8 m²
Good when the sea breeze is in; shorebreak can be challenging for launching foils. Once clear, the swell can provide usable runners.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly when conditions allow safe launch and clearance.
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Sandy-bottom beach break with multiple peaks along sandbars; commonly small and can close out most of the year, but can improve with the right wind/swell/tide/sandbank conditions.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open exposed beach environment.
- Wind Effect
- Easterly winds are reported as offshore and can groom waves for cleaner conditions; south-westerly winds create heavier chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Closes out when the swell exceeds 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Quality described as average; can be better with clean morning offshore wind and suitable sandbar setup.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Can be small and sloppy most of the year, with better quality possible in right conditions.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Mixed with sandbars producing multiple peaks.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Fast, punchy rides; often close out on the shore.
- Ride Length
- Short — Fast, punchy rides that often end in a close-out on the shore.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–60 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, punchy rides that often end in a close-out on the shore; typical ride length reported as 30–60 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Scarborough 2 in the full forecast view.
Scarborough 2 wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–15 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- S188°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2415 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–2.0 m10s period
- Temperature
- 9–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, Scarborough 2 is forecast for daytime winds of 4–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.5–2.0 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
- Rip currents
- Heavy shorebreak
- Crowds
- Learner surfers dropping in
- Sharks
- Shifting sandbars
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Year-round — Patrolled by lifeguards with specific zones maintained during busy periods.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional guidance notes rescue availability as limited, while lifeguards are active with coverage increasing during peak seasons and weekends.
- Emergency Info
- Dial 000 in an emergency; Scarborough Surf Life Saving Club is on the main esplanade.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Reported as none/mild localism, but the beach can be very busy and busy sessions increase risk.
Rules of the spot
Strict swimming zones (between the flags) are maintained by lifeguards; no surfing or kiting is permitted within the flagged areas.
- No kiting in swimming zones.
- Seasonal restrictions on watercraft during peak hours.
- Check the sandbars after winter storms as they often shift.
- Early morning is best for surfing before the wind turns.
- Crowds can be extremely intense with many learner surfers who may drop in on others.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Perth
- Nearest Town
- Scarborough
- Nearest Airport
- Perth Airport (PER)
- Parking
- Northern car park is closer to the better banks; large public parking lots fill quickly on weekends and summer afternoons.
- Public Transport
- Transperth bus network (includes frequent route 990 to Scarborough beachfront)
- Access
- Take any exit off the northern freeway toward the coast (e.g., Cedric St), drive up Scarb Beach Road, see apartment buildings and the sun dial, turn right at the lights, then first left at the next lights to reach the northern car park closer to better banks.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels, apartments, and hostels directly across the street from the beach; broader accommodation along the coast.
- Food & Drink
- Vibrant selection of cafes, bars, and restaurants along the esplanade.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard rentals available in the Scarborough precinct; equipment rentals for surfing, kitesurfing, and wingfoiling are concentrated around the Scarborough/Trigg foreshores area.
- Gear Storage
- Not typically available; limited dedicated gear storage.
- Gear Repair
- Specialized repair for boards and kites is available in nearby industrial areas (Osborne Park/ Balcatta).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Popular seasonal markets held on Thursday evenings featuring global street food and local crafts.
Trails and signage highlighting Indigenous heritage and the connection to the coast.
A paved multi-use path stretching for kilometers along the coastline, suitable for cycling or running.
A beachfront bar and restaurant popular for drinks at sunset.
A world-class skate park and climbing wall facility located on the foreshore.
A geothermally heated open-air public swimming pool overlooking the ocean.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Scarborough 2?
The best overall months at Scarborough 2 are November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Scarborough 2?
Scarborough 2 works with E, S, SW, SSW winds. Offshore directions are E.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Scarborough 2?
Recommended equipment sizes at Scarborough 2: Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.8 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Scarborough 2 suitable for?
Scarborough 2 suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.