Scarborough (Redcliffe Peninsula)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Chop
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 is a small, shallow kitesurfing spot at the northeast tip of Redcliffe, known for NE–SE–SSE wind directions and a sea-breeze driven pattern that is most consistent in the warmer months. The riding area is described as flat-to-choppy, with flatter conditions behind sandbars at lower tides and more chop as tides rise. Wind is centered on NNE, NE, SE and SSE directions, with a thermal/sea-breeze development window described for the afternoon (one source cites 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM). During summer, the sea-breeze season is described as having high reliability, and gusting is characterized as relatively light, with some additional gustiness noted for SE winds due to peninsula effects. Launch and safety require extra attention: the launch/entry area is narrow, and it can become very tight at high tide. Multiple sources warn about rocks/submerged hazards (including rocks/reef patches to the north and south of the launch area) and swimmers in the busy park environment. Keep distance from swimming enclosures, be mindful of beach users, and watch depth/rock proximity especially at low tide. Overall conditions suit intermediate riders well, with experts also enjoying the challenge. Practical planning matters here because space is limited and tide strongly affects both depth over hazards and the usable riding area. Expect a shorty most of the time, with fuller wetsuits on colder winter days, and be prepared for weekend crowding and occasional summer afternoon thunderstorms.
- NNE/NE sea-breeze pattern with good seasonal consistency
- Shallow, flat-to-choppy conditions influenced strongly by tide
- Narrow launch area; rocks and swimmers require careful route and timing
- Nearby beachfront amenities make it convenient
- Consistent NE sea-breeze style winds in warmer months.
- Flat-to-choppy water profile with riding areas behind sandbars.
- Convenient beachfront access and nearby amenities (food and facilities).
- Shallow water with chop; conditions vary with tide.
- Rocks/submerged hazards near the launch area—extra caution at low tide.
- Small, narrow launch space can become very tight at high tide.
- Crowds (park users, swimmers) can be significant on weekends and holidays.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NNE, NE, SE, SSE
- Wind Range
- 12–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Strong summer northeasterly sea breezes are common; NNE/NE are often described as the cleanest wind directions.
- Reliability
- High during the summer sea-breeze season.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Described as light-gusty, with some additional gustiness for SE winds due to peninsula effects.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- South-easterly winds can be slightly gusty due to the landmass of the peninsula.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with narrow grassy/sand launch strip.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Wave size described as small; overall sea state typically translates to chop rather than large surf.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Described as flat with chop; choppier conditions at high tide.
- Launch
- Small — Small narrow sandy/grassy setup area slightly downhill from the parking; space is limited at high tide.
Through the year
Crowds are especially high on weekends and during school holidays.
Summer (December to February) can see afternoon thunderstorms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A shallow, flat-to-choppy kitesurfing spot suited to intermediate riders; experts also enjoy it. Water can be flat behind sandbars at lower tides and more choppy at higher tides. Launch space is narrow and can require assistance, and rocks/submerged hazards are present near the launch zone (north and south).
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Possible for slalom and freeride (including in NE winds), but the limited beach space can make rigging and launching larger gear challenging.
- Sail Sizes
- 6–8.5 m²
Popular for foiling, but requires careful tide management to clear shallow sandbanks and submerged rocks; higher tides are necessary. Foil friendliness is described as limited.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly conditions depend strongly on tide because of shallow sandbanks and submerged rocks.
- Min Depth
- 1.2m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Scarborough (Redcliffe Peninsula) in the full forecast view.
Scarborough (Redcliffe Peninsula) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- NE48°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2511 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.6 m4s period
- Temperature
- 18–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Scarborough (Redcliffe Peninsula) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.1–0.6 m with a period of about 4s. 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
- Swimmers
- Rocks
- Submerged rocks and rocky reef patches (north side)
- Sharp oysters
- Groynes
- Parked boats in the bay
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are described as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue coverage described as limited, with volunteer marine rescue and coast guard monitoring in the broader area.
- Emergency Info
- For all life-threatening emergencies, dial 000. Redcliffe Hospital is the nearest primary medical facility.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism issues indicated.
Rules of the spot
Watch the tide and be especially cautious around the rocks; the launch/entry area can become very narrow and shallow at the edges.
- Avoid launching with rocks nearby.
- Avoid kiting too close to the boat-harbor entrance.
- Watch out for rocks at low tide.
- The launch/landing area is reported to become very narrow at high tide.
- The spot is highly used by beach park visitors—maintain distance from swimming enclosures and be mindful of swimmers.
- Rigging on grass is generally preferred to save beach space (where possible).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Brisbane
- Nearest Town
- Redcliffe
- Parking
- Parking is available at Scarborough; public car parks along the beachfront fill up quickly on weekends.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via the Kippa-Ring railway line with connecting bus services throughout the Redcliffe Peninsula.
- Access
- Scarborough is in the northeast tip of Redcliffe (north end of the Redcliffe Peninsula). Easily accessible via major local roads; public car parks are available along the beachfront, filling quickly on weekends.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various apartments and holiday rentals are available in Scarborough and Redcliffe.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous cafes, restaurants, and a popular brewery located directly across from the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment for kiting, wingfoiling, and windsurfing is available through schools serving the Redcliffe area.
- Gear Storage
- Limited storage options are primarily provided through local schools for their members.
- Gear Repair
- Professional sail and kite repair services are available within the greater Brisbane metropolitan area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A subtropical coastal area around Moreton Bay with an established wind-and-water-sports community, offering beaches, parklands, and nearby waterfront attractions.
An iconic historic pier offering views across Moreton Bay and frequent dolphin sightings.
A protected marine area ideal for sailing, whale watching, and exploring sand islands.
A protected marine area ideal for sailing, whale watching, and exploring sand islands.
Popular local dining known for fresh seafood and waterfront views.
A large, free-to-use swimming lagoon on the Redcliffe waterfront.
A large, free-to-use swimming lagoon located on the Redcliffe waterfront.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Scarborough (Redcliffe Peninsula)?
The best overall months at Scarborough (Redcliffe Peninsula) are January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Scarborough (Redcliffe Peninsula)?
Scarborough (Redcliffe Peninsula) works with NNE, NE, SE, SSE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Scarborough (Redcliffe Peninsula)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Scarborough (Redcliffe Peninsula): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 6–8.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–22 kts.
What skill level is Scarborough (Redcliffe Peninsula) suitable for?
Scarborough (Redcliffe Peninsula) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Windsurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Wingfoiling: Intermediate to Advanced.