Surfing
Surfing
Just swell: The best surf beaches for beginners in Australia
Whether you're looking to start learning or perfect your craft, here are some of the best beginner surf beaches in Australia.
There are a few things you want to look out for when learning to surf. Lifeguards? Always a good sign. Gentle tides and white water waves? Ticking all the boxes. Six metre swells and vortex-like barrels? You’re probably in the wrong place.
Finding a beginner surf beach isn’t too difficult. There are plenty all over Australia, particularly on the east coast, and they usually have a friendly surf school attached or locals happy to see some new faces out the back.
Here are a few classic options to get you started: the best beginner surf beaches in Australia.
01
Dicky Beach, Queensland
Dicky Beach on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland is popular with surf schools and wreck enthusiasts. It’s home to the rusting hulk of the S.S. Dicky, which crashed ashore in 1893. But it’s also got beginner-friendly, four-foot breaks, a long, sandy beach, and the famous Dicky Beach Surf Life Saving Club, which has been going strong since 1950.
The beach is renowned for its beach breaks, with waves that can vary in size and power depending on the swell and tide. This makes it a versatile surfing spot that can accommodate beginners looking to learn or practice their skills, as well as more experienced surfers seeking challenging waves to ride.
02
Tathra Beach, New South Wales
You don’t even need a surfboard to enjoy Tathra. Surrounded by the Mimosa Rocks and Bournda National Parks, it’s got plenty of hiking and mountainbike trails snaking through the hinterland. The beach itself stretches for 2.5km, with little banks breaking left and right over a shallow, sandy bottom. Swells range from 1 metre (on the southern end) to 3m (on the northern end).
The beach has a laid-back atmosphere and is known for its inclusive surf culture. Whether you're a local or a visitor, you're likely to encounter a supportive and encouraging environment in the water. Tathra Beach is also patrolled by lifeguards, ensuring a safe surfing experience.
03
West Beach, Western Australia
You’ll find West Beach (AKA ‘Westies’) curling south past Esperance on the southern tip of Western Australia. It’s one of the whitest and most photogenic beaches in the country, but it also features gentle, right and left beach breaks, with swells around 1.5 metres.
The waves at West Beach are generally smaller and more suited for beginners or those looking for a more laid-back surfing experience. It is an ideal spot for novice surfers to practice their skills, catch smaller waves, and enjoy the thrill of riding the ocean.
04
Crescent Head, New South Wales
Crescent Heads
© [unknown]
Crescent is regarded as one of the best longboard waves in Australia, rippling along the northern NSW coast for about 25km. There are four famous right-hand point breaks here, and they draw surfers from all over the world, especially when there’s a westerly blowing, and that rolling southeast swell hits the coast.
The various waves offer opportunities for noserides and attract longboard enthusiasts from around the globe. Just look out for the Kempsey-Crescent Head Surf Club flags and you’ll be fine.
05
Anglesea, Victoria
Anglesea, Great Ocean Road
© Phillip N. Young
Victoria’s Great Ocean Road is better known for the Rip Curl Pro, but beginner surfers should probably give Bells Beach a wide berth. Stick to Anglesea instead, about 30 minutes down the highway, towards Lorne.
Anglesea boasts a range of surf breaks suitable for different skill levels. The main beach at Anglesea is a popular spot for beginners, offering gentle waves and a sandy bottom, perfect for those looking to learn or improve their skills (thanks to the sheltering bluff at Point Road). If you're looking for lessons check out 'Go Ride A Wave'.
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06
Middleton Beach, South Australia
You can day-trip to Middleton from Adelaide (it’s about 90 minutes down the highway), but it’s easier to find a base camp on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Experienced surfers come here for the Waitpinga or Parsons Beach breaks, but Middleton is better for beginners.
The beach break at Middleton Beach offers manageable waves that are suitable for beginners to catch and ride. It’s got long, rolling, white water waves pretty much every day of the year, with groundswells coming up from the southeast. Additionally, the area is known for its relatively uncrowded lineup, allowing beginners to have plenty of space to practice without feeling overwhelmed. Lessons start around $55 if you're inclined.
07
Clarkes Beach, New South Wales
Clarkes is probably the most popular beginner wave in Byron Bay. You’ll find it between Main Beach and The Pass (Byron’s infamous right-hand point break). And unlike The Pass, which is always swarming with groms, Clarkes has a bit of protection from those booming southern swells.
Just watch out for the low tide: the waves tend to dump you on the shallow sandbars. This is also the one place on earth where surf schools outnumber people, so you won’t have trouble finding a lesson if you want to start your surfing journey.
