Thirteenth Beach (The Bluff)

Thirteenth Beach (The Bluff) is an exposed reef surfing break on the Bass Strait coast near the Qeenscliff/Torquay area. It’s characterized as a consistent, high-performance left-hand reef/point style wave, with offshore winds (from the North to Northwest) tending to groom the face for cleaner walls. The break is best described as a reef launch over a shallow takeoff zone, with mid tide flagged as the optimal tide. On well-connected swells it can produce long rides (with sources citing up to around 150 meters), and on bigger sets it’s reported to handle size well—often becoming more powerful and hollow on takeoff. Safety at this spot is a priority: rocks/submerged reef ledges, sharp hazards, and powerful rip currents are repeatedly noted, and shallow reef at low tide increases risk. The lineup can also be aggressive and highly contested, with strict surf etiquette emphasized due to the small, defined takeoff zone. Water is cold year-round: typical sea temperatures cluster around the low-to-high teens °C, with July commonly around 13–14°C. For winter sessions (roughly June–September), a 4/3mm wetsuit with added cold-water protection is recommended, while a 3/2mm or even a shorty may be enough only for shorter summer sessions.