Suicides 3

Surfing
Advanced riders
Best for
Expert
Skill Level
Ocean
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Suicides 3 is an expert-only, hazardous reef break on Victoria’s East Coast near Cape Paterson. The spot is characterized by shallow reef ledges and sharp rocks, with powerful, often hollow/barelling sections that can become very heavy on larger swells. Across sources, the wave is described as producing heavy, square/hollow barrels, but providers conflict on whether the primary direction is left or right. In both cases, the combination of shallow water over reef and fast, intensive takeoff means rides can end abruptly when the wave steepens or drops onto the reef. Wind and swell coordination is critical. It’s best with solid southwest–west swells, and offshore northerly winds have been noted as grooming the face; a separate provider also describes the spot as best on SW–W swells with SE winds. Seasonal guidance is strongest for summer/early autumn, with January highlighted as a good month in the baseline spot guide; however, the spot is also described as mostly small and unreliable. Safety is the top concern. Hazards include rocks, sharks, and sea urchins, and strong rip currents are noted during larger swells. There is no lifeguard presence on-site and rescue is limited, so only experienced surfers should go, ideally waiting for a mid-tide for enough water over the reef and scouting the channels before committing.

  • Powerful, hollow reef waves with barrel potential
  • Shallow reef over sharp rocks (high consequence falls)
  • Best with SW–W swells and coordinated offshore wind
Great for
Advanced riders
What's great
  • Powerful, hollow reef waves with heavy barrel potential on the right swell.
  • Very high regional water quality (Bass Strait exposure / marine park coastline).
  • Best conditions can line up offshore wind grooming effects.
Heads up
  • Expert-only due to shallow reef and sharp hazards.
  • Waves are described as unreliable/mostly small.
  • High risk environment: rocks, sharks, shallow reef ledges, and strong rip currents especially on larger swells.
  • No lifeguards or dedicated rescue at the launch.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
N, NNE, NE, NW
Offshore directions
N
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Gradient — Provider wind summary indicates gradient conditions; regional pattern also includes frontal systems plus afternoon sea-breeze influence.
Reliability
Low to moderate for surfing quality
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts
Best Months
January, February, March, December
Shadow Zones
High cliffs can provide some shelter from North winds.

Water & beach

Water Type
Ocean
Beach
Reef — Reef/rocky shoreline composition.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Medium — Baseline describes mostly small waves (mostly small in monthly breakdown), while one provider notes medium wave size.
Launch
Small — Rocky shoreline with limited entry points.
Launch Difficulty
Difficult — Rocky shoreline with limited entry points and shallow reef ledges.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
13–20 °C
Water Temperature
9–26 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 3/2mmJul, Aug, Sep: 4/3mm + Boots
Crowds by Season

Low volume overall; can become crowded with locals during optimal conditions.

Storm/Rain Season

Winter and spring typically see more storm activity and rainfall.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

A shallow reef break with powerful, hollow sections and hazardous sharp reef. Sources conflict on whether it’s a left or right wave, but both describe expert-only, fast, heavy barrels over reef.

Reef break
Optimal Swell
SW, W
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Mid-tide is recommended to ensure enough water over the reef.
Shelter
Exposed
Wind Effect
Best with offshore northerly winds which groom the wave face; a separate provider notes heavy left breaks best with SW–W swells and SE winds.
Bigger Swell
Can become very heavy and dangerous with larger swells.
Wave Quality
Good — Wave quality varies and is described as unreliable by the broader spot guide baseline.
Wave Power
Powerful
Wave Shape
Hollow — Often described as producing square barrels / hollow reef waves.
Peel Speed
Fast
Ride Length
Short — Fast, intensive rides that often end abruptly on the reef.
Ride Length Details
Fast, intensive rides that often end abruptly on the reef.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Suicides 3 in the full forecast view.

Suicides 3 wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
4–16 ktsGusts 29 kts
Direction
WSW249°
Strongest day
Mon, Oct 2616 kts
Windy days
4/712 kts or more
Waves
1.4–2.6 m10s period
Temperature
10–19 °C

Over the next 7 days, Suicides 3 is forecast for daytime winds of 4–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 1.4–2.6 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
  • sharp reef
  • rip currents
  • sea urchins
  • shallow reef ledges
Ability Level: Expert
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitLeashBoots

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — No dedicated on-site rescue at rocky launches; nearest seasonal patrols are at Cape Paterson and Inverloch Surf Life Saving Clubs.
Emergency Info
Nearest major medical facility: Wonthaggi Hospital. In an emergency, dial 000 for Police, Fire, Ambulance.
Localism / Vibe
Moderate — Spot can be frequented by locals on optimal conditions.

Rules of the spot

Strictly for expert surfers only due to shallow, heavy reef breaks over sharp reef.

Restrictions
  • Only attempt if you are an expert rider; the wave can be heavy and the reef is shallow.
Local Tips
  • Wait for a mid-tide to ensure there is enough water over the reef.
  • Observe the break for a while before entering to identify the best channel out.
  • Strictly for experts only due to shallow, heavy left breaking over sharp reef.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Melbourne
Nearest Town
Cape Paterson
Nearest Airport
Melbourne Airport (MEL) (~165–170 km).
Parking
Available at the Cape Paterson lookout and beach access points.
Public Transport
Limited regional bus services to Cape Paterson and Wonthaggi; private vehicle recommended for access.
Access
Access via walking tracks from the Cape Paterson coastal car parks.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Accommodation
Nearby town — Caravan parks and holiday rentals in Cape Paterson.
Food & Drink
Local cafes and a general store in Cape Paterson town center.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

The region features rugged coastal geology and conservation-focused coastline, with access centered around nature walks, lookout views, and photography.

Best time to visit: December to March for the best weather; autumn for cleaner swell.
Eagles Nest Rock0 km

A striking rock formation resembling the top of Australia, visible from the lookout.

Bunurong Indigenous heritage

Part of the traditional Bunurong Country, with Indigenous heritage significance along the coast.

State Coal Mine Wonthaggi12 km

A historic site offering underground tours detailing the region's mining heritage.

Bunurong Coastal Drive0 km

A scenic drive featuring rugged cliffs, sea caves, and diverse marine life lookouts.

Bunurong Coast walks and rock platforms

Coastal cliff walking and rock platform exploration along the Bunurong Coast.

Cape Paterson Tavern4 km

Local hub for meals and drinks near the coast.

Inverloch Esplanade11 km

Gentle walking paths and playground areas along the Inverloch foreshore.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Suicides 3?

The best overall months at Suicides 3 are January, February, March, September, October, December, April, May. The best wind months are January, February, March, December.

Which wind directions work at Suicides 3?

Suicides 3 works with N, NNE, NE, NW winds. Offshore directions are N.

What skill level is Suicides 3 suitable for?

Suicides 3 suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.