Searcy Bay and Point Labatt (South Australia)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Empty
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Searcy Bay and Point Labatt is an exposed beach and reef surfing area on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, known for consistent Southern Ocean surf that can work year-round. It performs especially well when east winds line up with southwest swells, and April is repeatedly highlighted as the best month for clean, favorable conditions. The location combines open-coast exposure with reef-influenced wave behavior. Reef sections off the point can hold very large swell and provide longer, more dynamic rides, while the bay’s beach breaks may turn shorter and punchier and can close out more readily when the swell gets bigger. Surf is described as generally good, with peeling, fast-moving waves and an exposed character. Safety is a central concern: the area is remote and includes sharp rocks/reefs and shark risk. Strong currents and potential rip currents are possible along the beach breaks, and cliffs and rugged coastline add additional risk during entry and exit. Local guidance emphasizes not surfing alone and bringing the essentials (water and fuel), since services are not available at the spot. Point Labatt is also within a conservation park setting, with protections that visitors must follow (including staying on designated paths and not disturbing wildlife). Because rescue support is not on-site, riders should plan for self-sufficiency and be ready for extended response times from Streaky Bay.
- Exposed beach and reef break with consistent surf
- Best conditions often reported in April
- East winds with southwest swell are a favored setup
- Remote, uncrowded coastline
- Exposed beach-and-reef break that can work year-round
- Consistent Southern Ocean swell with best performance often in April
- Very low crowds and a remote, wildlife-focused setting
- Extreme isolation with limited nearby services
- High-consequence hazards including sharks and sharp reef/rock hazards
- Conditions can be powerful and unforgiving, especially on bigger swell
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind patterns are dominated by Southern Ocean weather fronts; fronts are commonly associated with stronger wind periods.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gusts described as moderate.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, September, October
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs at Point Labatt can create local wind shadows in northerly directions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Mixed — Sand with mixed/rocky reef areas.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Big — Described as big, with reef breaks able to handle very large swells.
- Launch
- Medium — Beach access via sandy tracks, but the coastline is rugged with cliffs and rocky sections.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Rugged coastline and complex access around Point Labatt.
Through the year
Usually very low year-round.
Winter months (June to August) see more frequent storm activity and stronger winds.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed beach and reef break on the Eyre Peninsula delivering consistent surf and working year-round; best performance is typically associated with east winds and southwest swell.
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open coastline exposure to Southern Ocean swell; cliffs and headlands may create localized effects.
- Wind Effect
- East and northeast winds provide cleaner offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Reef breaks can hold very large swells; beach breaks may close out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Generally described as good, with clean conditions during favorable wind setups.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful and consistent Southern Ocean swells.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Described as peeling; reef breaks can hold very large swell.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Peeling with a fast, energetic feel described for reef sections.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Reef breaks off the point offer longer rides; beach breaks in the bay are shorter and punchier.
- Ride Length Details
- Reef breaks off the point offer longer rides, while the beach breaks in the bay provide shorter, punchier sections.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Searcy Bay and Point Labatt (South Australia) in the full forecast view.
Searcy Bay and Point Labatt (South Australia) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–20 ktsGusts 35 kts
- Direction
- S184°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2420 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–2.1 m11s period
- Temperature
- 9–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Searcy Bay and Point Labatt (South Australia) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–20 kts, peaking around 20 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 35 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 1.0–2.1 m with a period of about 11s. 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 rocks and reefs
- sharks (including Great Whites)
- strong Southern Ocean currents and potential rip currents
- remote location / extreme isolation
- high cliffs and exposed rocky sections
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards on site.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated on-site water rescue; serviced by emergency services from Streaky Bay.
- Emergency Info
- Streaky Bay is the nearest town with medical facilities (about 50 km away). Emergency number: 000.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Point Labatt is within a conservation park—stay on designated paths and do not disturb the sea lion colony.
- No disturbing wildlife.
- Drone restrictions may apply in the conservation park.
- 4WD access only in many areas.
- Stay on designated paths within the conservation park.
- Never surf alone here due to extreme isolation and shark risk.
- Carry plenty of water and fuel as there are no services nearby.
- April is often cited as the best month for clean swell and favorable winds.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Streaky Bay
- Nearest Town
- Baird Bay
- Parking
- Limited parking at the Point Labatt lookout; other access points require off-road parking.
- Access
- Accessible via gravel roads and 4WD tracks from the Flinders Highway south of Streaky Bay; limited parking at the Point Labatt lookout; other access points require off-road parking.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping is available in nearby designated areas; hotels and caravan parks are in Streaky Bay.
- Food & Drink
- None available at the spot; all supplies must be brought from Streaky Bay.
- Equipment Rental:
- None available locally (very limited equipment rental overall).
- Gear Storage
- No storage at the coastal spots; gear is typically stored in vehicles or at accommodation in nearby towns.
- Gear Repair
- No local specialized repair services; minor repairs handled independently or in major cities such as Adelaide.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A remote, nature-focused coastline where tourism centers on wildlife viewing and coastal exploration around conservation areas.
Home to the largest permanent colony of Australian Sea Lions on the mainland, viewable from a high cliff-top platform.
Ancient wind-worn pink granite boulders located on a hilltop.
Guided tours offering the opportunity to swim with wild sea lions and dolphins in their natural habitat.
Local seafood dining in the nearby town of Streaky Bay.
A popular spot for family fishing and swimming, featuring a shark-proof swimming enclosure.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Searcy Bay and Point Labatt (South Australia)?
The best overall months at Searcy Bay and Point Labatt (South Australia) are April. The best wind months are March, April, May, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Searcy Bay and Point Labatt (South Australia)?
Searcy Bay and Point Labatt (South Australia) works with E winds.
What skill level is Searcy Bay and Point Labatt (South Australia) suitable for?
Searcy Bay and Point Labatt (South Australia) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.