Map
Burleigh Heads
Today's Surf Conditions at Burleigh Heads
Spot Conditions Map
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Today's Surf & Wind Forecast (Hourly)
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Spot Overview & Description
Burleigh Heads stands as a quintessential Gold Coast point break, where the raw beauty of Pandanus Trees National Park frames a shoreline of boulders and sand. While it flies a touch under the radar compared to its more crowded neighbors, this wave carries a distinctly localized pulse—expect a friendly nod from the regulars when you paddle out, but know that the vibe is earned. The magic here fires when a solid southeast swell pushes in, wrapping around the headland to deliver a clean, right-handed point break that peels over a mixed bed of boulders and sand. At around 3 feet (1 meter), it begins to wake up, and when conditions align, it can spit out legitimately engaging barrels that rival anything in the area—especially when the rest of the coast is closing out. The ideal wind is a crisp southwest breeze, grooming the face for those feathering walls. Tide-wise, you'll want to target low to mid, though a high tide can still offer shape if the sandbar is cooperating. This wave demands respect. It's firmly in expert territory, where positioning, timing, and a sharp eye for the shifting peaks separate the session from the struggle. The sand that shapes the wave is notoriously fickle, so the setup can change dramatically from one day to the next. When the point is truly pumping, you'll see surfers paddling over from the Tallebudgera rivermouth, drawn by the promise of hollow sections—but beware the rips, which can sweep you off your intended line in a heartbeat. It might take a few sessions to find your groove, but that hunt is part of what makes Burleigh a destination for those who chase the real deal.
Best Surf Season & Climatology
Best Surf Season (May - August)
The winter months along the Gold Coast bring a consistent pattern of high-pressure systems migrating across the Great Australian Bight, generating a steady stream of cool, offshore southwesterly winds. At Burleigh Heads, this translates into the highest percentage of clean conditions, with offshore winds blowing between 39% and 43% of the time. While the dominant swell direction shifts more south (ESE to SE) during this period, reducing the frequency of direct E to NE swell, the longer average wave periods (8.5-8.9s) mean that when the swell does arrive from a favorable quadrant, it offers punchy, well-formed waves. The average wave heights hover around 1.0m, providing fun-sized to solid surf, often with rippable peaks. This is the go-to season for consistent, groomed conditions, especially from May through July when the offshore wind window is at its peak.
Fair Surf Season (April & September)
The shoulder months of April and September act as transitional periods, where the trade-off between swell quality and wind consistency reaches a more balanced middle ground. In April, offshore winds blow 28% of the time, paired with a 46% occurrence of optimal E to NE swell directions. September sees offshore winds 29% of the time with 58% optimal swell from the northeast quadrant. The average wave periods are respectable at 8.6s in April and 7.8s in September, with average heights around 1.0m. These months often deliver solid sessions, particularly when a late-season cyclone in the Coral Sea or a strong mid-latitude low sends groundswell into the region before the winds shift to a favorable angle. It is a good window for those willing to check the forecast closely.
Low Surf Season (October - March)
The summer and early autumn months from October through March are characterized by the dominance of the trade wind regime, with the SE to E winds blowing consistently onshore at Burleigh Heads. The offshore wind percentage plummets to between 11% and 20%, meaning the optimal NE-facing beach is often riddled with bumpy, wind-affected conditions. Although this is the time of year when the swell direction is most favorable (with up to 69% of swell arriving from the E to NE quadrant in December) and average wave heights are in the 1.0-1.2m range, the onshore winds wreak havoc on wave quality. The lower wave periods (7.3-8.0s) further contribute to weaker, less powerful surf. Occasional tropical cyclones or strong trade-wind pulses can produce fun waves, but the persistent onshore flow makes this the most challenging season for clean surf at Burleigh. Early morning glass-offs are your best bet.
Detailed Surf Information for Burleigh Heads
Detailed Surf Forecast
Access our detailed 8-day swell and wind forecast charts for Burleigh Heads with tidal graphs, period ranges, and daily forecast text summaries.
Swell & Wind Statistics
Explore historical swell consistency, wave heights, and offshore wind windows month-by-month, compiled from over 40 years of data.
Historical Surf Report
Browse the historical database archives to view past wave reports and understand spot climatology during specific years and months.
