Short Point (Merimbula)

Short Point (Merimbula) is a crystal-clear, exposed beach area on the Sapphire Coast where surf and wind sports are driven by strong seasonal weather patterns. For surfing, it’s described as a consistent beach break overall, but summer tends to be flatter; winter (especially June) is repeatedly highlighted as the best period for more reliable surf. Waves are generally described as moderate in power with a peeling character, and the break is presented as exposed with some headland shelter from southerly winds. For wind sports, the site is particularly tied to NE winds during the warmer months (roughly October through March). The wind pattern is characterized as an afternoon-building sea-breeze/thermal, with higher reliability during summer. Kitesurfing is described as working best with NE wind, supported by easy beach launch conditions on the sandy area (with care around rocks). Windsurfing is also framed as strong when NE wind and swell align, and wingfoiling is increasingly popular, with sufficient offshore depth beyond the shorebreak. Safety is a key theme for this spot: hazards include rocks and submerged rock shelves around the headland, with sharks occasionally sighted. Strong rip currents can occur especially near the headland and during larger swells, and there is additional caution specifically for beginners near the Merimbula Lake entrance due to heavy current. Local guidance also emphasizes watching the rock shelf closely, particularly at high tide, and respecting take-off zones when the lineup is crowded. Seasonally, water temperature is described as much cooler in winter and warmer toward late summer, and wetsuit guidance ranges from spring suits/shorties for warmer months to thicker steamer recommendations in mid-winter for surfing comfort. Crowd levels are described as generally not busy except when surf is up or during major event periods.