The Bluff (Alexandra Headland)
- Longboard, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
The Bluff is reached from the Alexandra Headland beach access areas and the bluff point; it is formed by a rocky jutting section from a sandstone cliff, producing a classic right-hand line. Winter mornings are commonly described as yielding cleaner, glassier conditions when wind/swell match. The biggest practical consideration is safety and crowding: rip currents are present and the area includes rocks, jellyfish, and sharks. Because the point can be extremely competitive when it’s on—especially on weekends—riders should be prepared for a crowded lineup and give priority to clear set selection and respectful positioning. Access and local rules also matter. The beach is flagged for swimming and body surfing, and boards aren’t allowed in the flagged swimming zone; surfing is permitted only outside that area. When you’re entering/launching near the rocks, reduce time spent in danger zones and use controlled movements, particularly when the swell is larger.
- Point-break right-hander that needs a good SE swell to really start working
- Favorable when SW/W winds are offshore (grooming the wave)
- Flagged swimming zone: boards are not allowed there
- Classic right-hand point break with peeling, rideable lines when the SE swell and offshore wind align.
- Often described as forgiving in smaller conditions, while still offering strong bigger-swell performance.
- Well-supported surf area with lifeguards stationed at the nearby surf life saving club.
- Rocks at/around the point and water traffic can make sessions more hazardous.
- Rip currents are present.
- Very competitive and extremely crowded at peak times (especially weekends).
- Crowds and hazards (jellyfish/sharks) require extra vigilance.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WSW
- Offshore directions
- W, WSW, SW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze pattern; best surf generally reported with SW/W offshore flow and SE swell matched with offshore winds.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Light to moderate gustiness reported; typical sessions still described as 10–20 knots.
- Best Months
- June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- The bluff itself creates a significant wind shadow for southerly winds near the point.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with a rocky headland/point structure.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Medium-sized surf is commonly reported; bigger swells can push it into short-board territory.
- Launch
- Medium — For surfing: point accessed via rocky headland with sand base; a rocky entry/paddle-out from the beach is often described. (Noted as not a self-launch surfing spot.)
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate entry/paddle conditions.
Through the year
Often crowded in summer; extremely busy on weekends and during good swell events.
Late summer (January to March) can bring heavy rain and occasional cyclone swells; otherwise no distinct rainy season.
By sport
What to expect for each.
The Bluff is a classic right-hand point break that needs a good SE swell to really start working. It is generally described as forgiving in smaller conditions but can become more competitive/short-board oriented as swells build.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SE, E
- Swell Height
- 1–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — One report favors low tide; another report suggests mid tide. Use spot conditions to decide.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Protected from the south and west by the rocky bluff/headland in most conditions, but still described as an exposed point overall.
- Wind Effect
- Best with SW offshore winds to groom the wave; SE winds are cross-onshore but partially sheltered by the bluff, while anything with East in it can get messy.
- Bigger Swell
- Reported as handling larger swells well; the point becomes the primary focus on bigger conditions.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported as good to excellent depending on swell/wind match.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power; becomes more short-board focused in larger swells.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Right-handed point break with a peeling face.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling with a medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Short — Sources differ: some report quickies; others report very long peeling rides.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Quickies (<50 m) to averages around 50–150 m are reported, while other reports describe very long peeling rides that can run 100–300 m as the point offers extended lines.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for The Bluff (Alexandra Headland) in the full forecast view.
The Bluff (Alexandra Headland) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–10 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- NE43°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2910 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.5 m6s period
- Temperature
- 19–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, The Bluff (Alexandra Headland) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.6–1.5 m with a period of about 6s. 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
- jellyfish
- sharks
- rip currents
- crowds
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Year-round — Lifeguards stationed at Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Surf rescue presence indicated by lifeguards; spot-level rescue availability is otherwise inconsistent across reports.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital: Sunshine Hospital, Maroochydore. Coastguard available via Sunshine Coast Council; lifeguards are stationed at the Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Point can be highly competitive when working.
Rules of the spot
Flagged swimming and body-surfing area: boards not allowed in the flagged swimming zone; surfing permitted only outside the flagged zone. Standard surf etiquette applies at the point.
- No boards at the flagged swimming area.
- Take extra care with rips, rocks, jellyfish, and sharks.
- The point is most worth targeting with a good SE swell; when it’s on, it really starts working.
- Extremely crowded on weekends; the peak is very competitive—watch local traffic patterns and wait for clear sets.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Maroochydore
- Nearest Town
- Alexandra Headland
- Nearest Airport
- Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY)
- Parking
- Parking available near Beach Access points 163–168 along Alexandra Parade; also parking along the beachfront and at the top of the hill overlooking the bluff.
- Public Transport
- Serviced by the Translink bus network and the Sunshine Coast Coastal Pathway for cycling and walking.
- Access
- Access via Beach Access entrances 163 and 164; the Bluff is a rock jutting out from the base of the sandstone cliff at Beach Access 166. Also described as a short walk from parking areas via Alexandra Parade.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels, apartments, and holiday rentals directly across the road and throughout Alexandra Headland/Sunshine Coast.
- Food & Drink
- Nearby cafes and shops in Alexandra Headland; surf life saving club and cafes are within walking distance.
- Equipment Rental:
- Local surf shops offer board rentals.
- Gear Repair
- Surf shops in nearby areas provide ding repair services; local shops also support equipment needs.
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 The Bluff (Alexandra Headland)?
The best overall months at The Bluff (Alexandra Headland) are June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at The Bluff (Alexandra Headland)?
The Bluff (Alexandra Headland) works with W, WSW winds. Offshore directions are W, WSW, SW.
What skill level is The Bluff (Alexandra Headland) suitable for?
The Bluff (Alexandra Headland) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.