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Today's Surf Conditions at Kirra

Spot Conditions Map

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Today's Surf & Wind Forecast (Hourly)

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Spot Overview & Description

Swell Height2 - 12 ft
SeabedSand
Skill LevelExpert
Best TideLow, Mid, High

Kirra sits on the Gold Coast as one of the world’s most iconic right-hand point breaks, a sand-powered barrel machine that has earned its place in surfing lore. When a solid southeast swell pushes in, the wave reels off the point with thick, heavy lips and deep, grinding tubes that demand respect and reward precision. The setup is fickle—shifting sandbars from ongoing renourishment projects can dramatically alter where the best sections form, so staying dialed into the latest conditions is essential. The break comes to life with swells as small as 2 feet, but it truly hits its stride when the energy ramps up, producing long, high-performance rides that attract a crowd of skilled locals and traveling experts alike. Low to mid tides offer the cleanest shape, while a west wind blows the surface glassy, making for peak barrel potential. Expect heavy lineup congestion when it’s firing—this is not a beginner’s playground. Occasionally, if the sand cooperates, a few fun lefts peel off, but the main draw remains that world-class right-hander. Check the swell window, watch the tides, and come ready for an intense, unforgettable session.

Best Surf Season & Climatology

Best Surf Season (March - June)

Autumn and early winter deliver the most consistent combination of quality swell and favourable winds at Kirra. The dominant East and East-Southeast trade-wind swell trains are at their strongest, with average periods climbing from 8.5s in March to 8.9s by June – translating into punchy, rideable waves that wrap beautifully around the point. Meanwhile, the percentage of ideal offshore wind (from South to Southwest) peaks above 60% in April and May, as high-pressure systems settle over the Tasman Sea and funnel clean, light breezes along the coast. This is the sweet spot for long, rippable walls and the occasional pumping day when a deeper low pushes swell heights into the 2m+ range. Expect fun, head-high sets with plenty of barrel potential when the period stretches past 10s.

Fair Surf Season (July - September)

Winter brings a subtle shift: swell heights dip slightly to an average of 0.9m, but the wave period remains solid at 8.5-8.9s, offering powerful, long-period groundswells from the East and Southeast. The ideal wind percentage drops from 56% in July to 38% in September, as more frequent northerly and nor'easterly flows (onshore for Kirra's north-facing orientation) begin to pick up. Still, when the synoptic setup aligns – often after the passage of a cold front – we see clear skies and a stubborn southwesterly stream that grooms the surface to perfection. Those windows can produce glassy, firing conditions on the sets that do wrap in, though the overall consistency takes a hit as spring approaches.

Low Surf Season (October - February)

From spring through summer, Kirra battles the highest frequency of onshores. The ideal wind percentage bottoms out at 33-39%, with northerly and north-northeasterly winds (bad for the spot) dominating the charts – often exceeding 40% of all observations in December and January. Swell periods are at their shortest (7.3-8.0s), meaning the waves are often average, choppy, and lack the power to wrap cleanly. Average heights hover around 1.0m, with the occasional fun-sized day when a tropical cyclone in the Coral Sea sends a pulse of Easterly swell. But more often than not, you are groveling on small, wind-affected lines. The best months inside this low season are February and March transitions, where the wind begins to swing favourable and periods start to climb.

Detailed Surf Information for Kirra

Detailed Surf Forecast

Access our detailed 8-day swell and wind forecast charts for Kirra 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.

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