Burleigh Heads
Burleigh Heads is the Gold Coast's most intense wave—a powerful right-hand point that breaks over a boulder-strewn headland, producing thick barrels and high-performance walls. Unlike the sand-bottom points to the south, Burleigh has more grunt and handles bigger swells. The takeoff is critical, the inside section is shallow, and the local crew is tight. The setting is beautiful: a national park headland, pandanus trees, and perfect morning glass when conditions align. It's a proving ground for Queensland's best surfers.
Burleigh Heads surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSE (148°)
- Direction range
- 89° - 164°
- Size range
- 1m - 3.6m
- Ideal size
- 2.2m - 3m
- Height multiplier
- 0.90×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Offshore range
- 177° - 258°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.4m
Water temp
22°C
Wetsuit
Springsuit / 2mm
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
9/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Burleigh Heads?
Burleigh Heads is a point break in Gold Coast, Australia, that mostly breaks right. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves.
What's the story behind Burleigh Heads?
Surveyor James Warner named the headland 'Burly Head' in 1840 for its massive look, and the spelling drifted to Burleigh over time. Burleigh hosted the Stubbies Surf Classic from 1977 to 1988, and the Quiksilver Pro often moves here when Kirra or Snapper are not contestable.
What swell works best at Burleigh Heads?
Burleigh Heads picks up swell from the E round to the SSE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSE. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 3.6m, with the sweet spot around 2.2 to 3m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 9s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Burleigh Heads?
A SW wind is dead offshore at Burleigh Heads, and anything from the S round to the WSW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 5am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Burleigh Heads?
Burleigh Heads has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.4m to 1.4m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Burleigh Heads?
The most reliable run of swell at Burleigh Heads comes May to Aug. There's a second window in Mar to Apr and Sep to Oct too. Winter best. Handles bigger swells than other Gold Coast spots.
How cold is the water at Burleigh Heads?
The water at Burleigh Heads averages around 22°C, so you'll want a springsuit or 2mm. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Burleigh Heads good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. It gets busy (crowd 9/10), so mind the pecking order. Rocky entry/exit. Very crowded. Strong rips on bigger days.
How do I get to Burleigh Heads?
The nearest airport on our list is OOL, then it's roughly a 25-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Burleigh Heads?
The closest breaks we track are Kirra (10 km), Greenmount (12 km) and Superbank (Maxing) (12 km), handy when Burleigh Heads isn't working. We track 7 spots around Gold Coast in total.
Best Season
Peak: May-Aug
Secondary: Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct
Winter best. Handles bigger swells than other Gold Coast spots.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Kirra
🏆 Australia's barrel queen • Superbank's finishing move • Sand politics drama
Greenmount
🌅 Superbank connection • Coolangatta icon • Headland right-hander
Superbank (Maxing)
🌊 2km connected rides • Cyclone swells only • 500-surfer zoo
Snapper Rocks
🦘 Superbank starting point • 2km rides possible • Gold Coast icon
Duranbah
🧲 Gold Coast swell magnet • Punchy A-frames • Pro training ground
Main Beach
🏄 Gold Coast overflow • Uncrowded peaks • Surfers Paradise alternative
Plan a trip around Burleigh Heads
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