Stoney Rise
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Stoney Rise is an exposed beach and reef break near Robe on South Australia’s Limestone Coast, known for consistently working surf throughout the year. It’s best on mid tide, and the overall pattern is described as powerful, often producing hollow sections rather than mushy, soft surf. Wind-wise, the spot is associated with East to East–North-East winds, with East conditions described as giving clean, offshore flow for surfing. Wind reliability is described as moderate at the spot level, and monthly data indicates a “blown” percentage of 62% with clean conditions reported at 38% of the time—April is specifically highlighted as a particularly good month. The break is serious: it features exposed and submerged rocks, with hazards also including sharks and rip currents (especially when swell builds). Nearby terrain and reef shallowing mean you’ll need to track tide changes closely, and the walk down to the water can be uneven and rocky. Water is described as cool to cold overall (with a full monthly breakdown provided), and a spring wetsuit is recommended; a longer-term recommendation also suggests 3/2mm to 4/3mm suits for most of the year, depending on season. The spot is generally described as uncrowded/unlikely to be overly crowded, though weekend and holiday periods can bring more surfers.
- Exposed beach and reef break with consistent year-round surf
- Mid tide favored
- East winds can be offshore/clean
- April noted as a standout month
- Rocky reef + shark and rip-current risks
- Exposed beach and reef break with consistent surf year-round
- April called out as a particularly good month
- East winds can produce clean, offshore conditions for surfing
- Mid-tide is the best tide window for the break
- Exposed reef/topography with submerged and exposed rocks
- No spot lifeguard/rescue coverage reported
- Powerful surf can become dangerous and heavy on larger sets
- Sharks and rip currents are potential hazards
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ENE
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind type given as frontal (and described as East / North-East).
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- Turbulence possible from nearby cliffs if the wind is too northerly.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Both sand and rocks/reef are referenced across results; the shoreline includes sand patches dependent on tide.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium surf described in both spot-level results.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline with a small sandy patch depending on tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Spot-level entry describes launch as difficult due to rocky access and uneven footing.
Through the year
Generally uncrowded, though it can see more surfers during weekends and summer holidays.
Winter months (June to August) bring frequent storms and onshore winds.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach and reef break known for consistent, often hollow waves. Works year-round and is best on mid tide; rocky sections and power make it more suitable for experienced surfers.
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is best.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- East winds provide clean, offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well but can become dangerous and heavy.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Generally described as consistent; clean conditions about 38% of the time, with April particularly noted.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium
- Ride Length Details
- Provides a solid ride that can section off into hollow pockets.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Stoney Rise in the full forecast view.
Stoney Rise wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–15 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- SW232°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2515 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.4–2.3 m11s period
- Temperature
- 10–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Stoney Rise is forecast for daytime winds of 3–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 1.4–2.3 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
- sharks
- powerful waves
- rip currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported for this spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability reported as no for the spot-level entry (group context notes limited rescue in remote reef areas).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Best worked at mid tide. Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the locals and the environment.
- Keep a close eye on the tide as the reef can become very shallow and exposed.
- The walk down to the water involves navigating uneven rocks.
- Best worked at mid tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Robe
- Nearest Town
- Robe
- Nearest Airport
- Mount Gambier Airport (MGB)
- Parking
- Limited parking available at the lookout and track entrances.
- Public Transport
- Limited regional bus services; private vehicle is essential for accessing different coastlines.
- Access
- Located at the start of the Little Dip Conservation Park; access via 4WD recommended as per local tips for Robe/Kingston area. Also described as accessible via a short walk from coastal road parking areas south of Robe town center.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various caravan parks, hotels, and holiday rentals in the town of Robe; a nearby accommodation option is described separately as a lodge within the area.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous cafes and restaurants available in Robe, approximately 5 minutes away by car.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in Robe offer board rentals.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage is referenced as available at some caravan parks and private holiday rentals.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repair may be available at local surf shops in Robe.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Stoney Rise?
The best overall months at Stoney Rise are April. The best wind months are December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Stoney Rise?
Stoney Rise works with E, ENE winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE.
What skill level is Stoney Rise suitable for?
Stoney Rise suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.