The Groyne (Bunbury Coast)
- Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
The Groyne at Bunbury Coast is a specialized breakwater surf break that only comes into play when swell and wind align. It’s described as fairly exposed and does not work very often, but when conditions suit it can offer a valuable alternative wave—particularly when bigger swell makes other local beach options unrideable. Surf is closely tied to southwest swell, with right- and left-hand sections possible depending on how the energy wraps around the structure. Sources also describe punchy, hollow waves with barrels available, though another description notes the wave can be mushier and that wave quality can range from poor to good depending on the day. Wind-wise, the spot is best with southeast offshore flow, and summer afternoons are typically influenced by a strong sea breeze. Conditions are described as medium reliability, with moderate gusts. Thermal activity is most relevant in warmer months, developing later in the morning and strengthening through the afternoon. Safety at the groyne is a major focus: the break involves large granite rocks and is near the harbour/boat channel, with boat traffic and rips near the structure noted as hazards. There’s also no lifeguard presence at the spot itself; riders should follow restrictions that prohibit surfing within the marked boat channel and avoid active port operations.
- Condition-dependent breakwater surf spot
- Sheltered alternative when swell is massive elsewhere
- Offshore southeast winds improve cleanliness
- Niche breakwater wave that can become a sheltered alternative when other nearby beaches are blown out or too large.
- Offshore southeast winds can give the cleanest conditions.
- When it lines up, the wave can be punchy with hollow sections and barrels available.
- Does not work very often; very condition-dependent.
- Exposed setting with a shore break that can be nasty.
- Hazard zone near granite rocks and boat traffic; risks include rips.
- Short ride lengths and the wave often closes out on larger swell.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE
- Offshore directions
- SE
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Strong afternoon sea breezes are common in summer (often referred to locally as the Fremantle Doctor).
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gusts are described as moderate.
- Best Months
- December, January, February
- Shadow Zones
- Directly behind the groyne wall
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr · Dir: SSW, SW · Sea-breeze develops around late morning and strengthens through the afternoon (12:00 PM to 6:00 PM).
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Also described as mixed; the surrounding approach includes sand with rock hazards at the groyne.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Wave size is described as small at the spot; additionally, it’s noted to need significant swell to wrap around the structure.
- Launch
- Small — Beach access adjacent to the breakwater structure.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty due to proximity to rocks and boat traffic.
Through the year
Quiet; only attracts riders when conditions are specific
Winter (June to August) brings the highest rainfall and occasional mid-latitude cyclones; winter months can feature frontal storms and strong gusts
By sport
What to expect for each.
A specialized breakwater surf spot with waves wrapping around the structure when swell aligns. Multiple peaks can offer both right and left-hand waves; the shore break can be nasty and the wave can be hazardous near the rocks. It provides a niche, more sheltered option when swell is massive at other nearby breaks.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Described as exposed overall, but the breakwater can provide a more sheltered option compared with other nearby beach breaks when the swell is large.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore with southeast winds; described as cleanest with offshore southeast winds.
- Bigger Swell
- When the swell is massive it can offer a more defined wall, but the wave often closes out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Also described as poor when conditions are not ideal for wrapping around the groyne.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wave power described as moderate overall; also described as soft in the sheltered right-hand wrap-around wave.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Often punchy and hollow, with barrels on offer; can shift toward a mushier shape around the structure.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Punchy, with medium peel speed; can be slower in the breaker described as a mushier right.
- Ride Length
- Short rides are expected, especially near the rocks.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Quick take-offs next to the rocks with a short run onto the sand; when conditions are up, rides remain short.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for The Groyne (Bunbury Coast) in the full forecast view.
The Groyne (Bunbury Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–14 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- SSW192°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2414 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.5 m8s period
- Temperature
- 7–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, The Groyne (Bunbury Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 0.3–1.5 m with a period of about 8s. 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 (granite rocks of the groyne)
- Boat traffic in the channel
- Rips near the groyne
- Sharks
- Jellyfish
- Nasty shore break
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards at this specific spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional rescue coverage exists via services at major beaches; this spot is described as no rescue available for the launch itself.
- Emergency Info
- Bunbury Hospital is approximately 10 minutes away.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Known to attract mainly riders when conditions suit; respect local rules and avoid risky areas.
Rules of the spot
Avoid the shipping/boat channel and stay clear of active port operations; no surfing within the marked boat channel.
- No surfing within the marked boat channel
- Works best when the swell is too big for main nearby beach breaks, offering a sheltered option when the swell wraps around the structure.
- Watch out for fisherman on the groyne wall.
- When conditions are right, expect very limited room and take care around rocks and boats.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Bunbury
- Nearest Town
- Bunbury
- Nearest Airport
- Busselton Margaret River Airport (BQB) ~50km away; Perth Airport (PER) ~175km north
- Parking
- Public parking available at the Casuarina Boat Harbour area.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via the Australind train service and Transwa bus services from Perth, with local bus routes serving coastal suburbs
- Access
- Access via Casuarina Drive followed by a short walk to the base of the groyne.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels and apartments in Bunbury CBD.
- Food & Drink
- Cafes and restaurants located nearby at the Marlston Hill Waterfront.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental gear for surfing is available through local schools and surf shops in the Bunbury and Margaret River areas.
- Gear Storage
- Limited specialized gear storage; most riders use private vehicles or coordinate with local schools.
- Gear Repair
- Yes
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 Groyne (Bunbury Coast)?
The best overall months at The Groyne (Bunbury Coast) are October, November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at The Groyne (Bunbury Coast)?
The Groyne (Bunbury Coast) works with SE winds. Offshore directions are SE.
What skill level is The Groyne (Bunbury Coast) suitable for?
The Groyne (Bunbury Coast) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.