Surfing The Right: The Complete Guide

The Right is a shallow slab located in South Coast WA, Australia, offering a right-hander along Australia's coastline. The Right is one of the heaviest waves on Earth—a mutant right-hand slab that detonates over a flat rock shelf on Western Australia's remote south coast. Rated as pros-only difficulty with uncrowded conditions, this slab break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is SSW (210°), with workable conditions from S to NW (180°–310°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: The Right needs a minimum of 3m / 10ft to start working and handles swells up to 12m / 39ft before conditions deteriorate. When it maxes out, expect powerful, heavy-water conditions.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 14 seconds, with 18 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the N (0°). The full offshore range spans NW to NE (315°–45°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at all tides.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at The Right runs May, June, July, August (May–Aug). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens April, September (Apr–Sep). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Winter Southern Ocean swells. Needs large swell to break.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 16°C / 61°F. Bring a 3/2mm wetsuit — 4/3mm in winter months.

Getting There

The nearest airport is ALH, approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by road. A boat is required to reach the lineup, costing approximately $500 USD. Factor this into your trip budget — it adds up over multiple sessions.

Access: Boat or jet ski access only from Boat Harbour Road off South Coast Highway near Walpole.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

😮‍💨 Hold-downs — Long hold-downs possible
🦈 Sharks — Known shark activity
🏝️ Remote — Far from help
🪨 Rocks — Rocky entry/exit or in lineup

Extremely dangerous slab. 40+ second hold-downs. Tow-in only. Boat/jet ski access required.

Safety Tips:

Avoid surfing at dawn/dusk and near river mouths. Surf with a buddy
Build your breath-hold confidence before tackling bigger days here
Carry a first aid kit and emergency communication. Help may be far away

Skill Level: This spot is rated pros-only (10/10). Crowd Level: Typically uncrowded (1/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at The Right? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when The Right is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*