Yellow Patch
- Freestyle, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Yellow Patch is a sheltered point break on the northern side of Moreton Island (near Cape Moreton), known for pretty consistent surf when conditions line up—though summer can often be mostly flat. The break is typically a right-hand point that can produce long, peeling rides when East or North-East swell wraps around the tip of the island. On-shore access is unmarked and remote, with options mainly via 4WD along the beach (requiring a Moreton Island vehicle beach permit) or by private boat. Because the approach involves navigating sandbanks and shallow/deeper channels, careful route-finding is emphasized, including using visual cues for deeper water and staying close to the western shore after crossing sandbanks. Safety is a major consideration: sharks are identified as a hazard, and rip currents plus strong sweeps can occur near the point. There are no lifeguards or Surf Life Saving coverage for this beach, so riders should be self-sufficient and plan for limited rescue support in an off-grid environment. Wind-wise, the spot is most consistent when offshore southerly to south-easterly flow is present. Sea-breeze influence tends to strengthen in the afternoon (roughly 12:00 PM–6:00 PM), and the spot is often described as having its best month in February, while windier/offshore conditions are also reported for April through August.
- Sheltered point break with fairly consistent surf
- Long peeling right-hand rides with East/North-East swell wrap
- Rarely crowded
- Sheltered point break with fairly consistent surf
- Potential for long, peeling right-hand rides with the right East/North-East swell
- Rarely crowded due to the effort required to reach the spot
- Remote access (4WD/boat only) with unmarked entrance requiring careful navigation
- No lifeguards/spot rescue service indicated
- Shark hazard and rip/strong sweep potential
- Summer can be mostly flat
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSE, SW
- Offshore directions
- S, SSE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze influence is a key pattern; southerly/south-easterly winds can be offshore for this break.
- Reliability
- fair
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Generally light gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- Cape Moreton headland and high dunes can create a wind shadow for surfing when winds come from the South-East.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with a distinct yellow sand blow landmark.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Medium surf reported.
- Launch
- Medium — Long sandy beach with a distinct yellow sand blow used as a landmark.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty; unmarked access requires careful navigation.
Through the year
Rarely crowded year-round due to remote access and effort required.
Late summer and early autumn (January to March) can see tropical storms and heavy rain.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A sheltered point break with generally consistent surf; summer can be mostly flat. Right-hand point break that can deliver long, peeling rides when a solid East or North-East swell wraps around Cape Moreton.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- E, ENE, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide favored.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Generally sheltered; wind shadow effects can occur when winds come from the South-East.
- Wind Effect
- South to South-East winds are offshore and groom the wave faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles larger swells well as they wrap around the headland, though it can become quite heavy with strong sweeps.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality reported as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate power.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling right-hand point break.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Long, workable rides described (especially when swell wraps around the tip).
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can peel for a significant distance along the sandbar, providing long workable faces.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Yellow Patch in the full forecast view.
Yellow Patch wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–18 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- NE41°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2518 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–1.1 m6s period
- Temperature
- 20–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Yellow Patch is forecast for daytime winds of 7–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.4–1.1 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
- Sharks
- Rip currents
- Strong sweep
- Remote location
- 4WD traffic on beach
- Occasional exposed rocks near the point
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No Surf Life Saving services are provided for this beach.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No spot-specific rescue service indicated for this beach; conditions are remote/off-grid.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest facilities are in Bulwer or via emergency helicopter; the area is very remote. Nearest major medical facilities are on the mainland in Brisbane; emergency calls via 000 or VHF Channel 16.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism friction indicated.
Rules of the spot
Camping/vehicle access requires permits and fees. Use designated camping areas and keep to defined vehicle tracks; take rubbish home. Check tide before driving on the beach to avoid getting stranded.
- Camping permits required (fees apply).
- Vehicle beach permits required for 4WD access.
- Entrance is unmarked—navigate carefully.
- Use darker blue areas for deeper water and follow broken water to define shallow areas.
- Stay close to the western shore after crossing sandbanks (and after the point).
- Check the tide before driving on the beach.
- Use shallow draft and a rising tide when exploring further up.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Brisbane
- Nearest Town
- Bulwer
- Parking
- Parking is available on the sand away from the main thoroughfare and the high-tide line.
- Public Transport
- Accessible only by private boat or 4WD vehicle via vehicle ferries from the mainland
- Access
- Accessible only by 4WD vehicle along the beach (requires Moreton Island beach permit) or by private boat/boat access; entrance is unmarked and requires careful navigation.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Far — Camping within Moreton Island National Park is the primary option (permits required).
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on-site; visitors must bring all water and supplies.
- Equipment Rental:
- Very limited on-island rentals; rental available from mainland schools with limited on-island options.
- Gear Storage
- Not available; riders must bring and store their own equipment.
- Gear Repair
- No facilities on the island; full repair services are available on the mainland Brisbane side.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
First lighthouse built in Queensland, offering views of the coastline.
Exploring sunken ships that have become a haven for marine life.
Major dining hub on the island with several food outlets.
Sliding down the massive sand dunes.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Yellow Patch?
The best overall months at Yellow Patch are February. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Yellow Patch?
Yellow Patch works with S, SSE, SW winds. Offshore directions are S, SSE.
What skill level is Yellow Patch suitable for?
Yellow Patch suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.