Cape Woolamai
Cape Woolamai is Phillip Island's main surf beach—a dramatic stretch of sand backed by towering cliffs where Southern Ocean swells wrap into consistently good beach break peaks. The wild, rugged setting provides a stark contrast to the island's famous penguin parade and MotoGP circuit, offering genuine cold-water surfing with the added bonus of seal colonies and occasional shark sightings. The rips here can be powerful, and the water is decidedly brisk, but those willing to embrace Victoria's wild coast will find quality waves away from the crowds of closer beaches.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (210°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 250°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.5m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (0°)
- Offshore range
- 315° - 45°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.8m
Water temp
14°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Beach access from parking area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Cape Woolamai?
Cape Woolamai is a beach break in Phillip Island, Australia, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Cape Woolamai?
Cape Woolamai picks up swell from the S round to the WSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. It starts working at around 0.6m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.5 to 2m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s 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 Cape Woolamai?
A N wind is dead offshore at Cape Woolamai, and anything from the NW round to the NE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am 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 Cape Woolamai?
Cape Woolamai has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.4m to 1.8m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Cape Woolamai?
The most reliable run of swell at Cape Woolamai comes Mar to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Feb too. Year-round. SW swells from Southern Ocean.
How cold is the water at Cape Woolamai?
The water at Cape Woolamai averages around 14°C, so you'll want a 4/3mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Cape Woolamai good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Strong rips. Shark activity - seals nearby.
How do I get to Cape Woolamai?
The nearest airport on our list is MEL, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Beach access from parking area.
What other surf spots are near Cape Woolamai?
The closest breaks we track are Black Rock (8.1 km), handy when Cape Woolamai isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Year-round. SW swells from Southern Ocean.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Black Rock
🦭 Victorian reef right • Cold water barrels • Seal colony neighbor
Thirteenth Beach
🏖️ Melbourne's reliable option • Multiple peaks • Consistent catchall
Point Impossible
🌊 Surf Coast sleeper • Less crowds than Bells • Two-section reef
Bells Beach
🔔 Home of the Rip Curl Pro • Australia's competitive soul • Cold water power
Winki Pop
🔔 Bells' barrel neighbor • Local crew heavy • Victorian proving ground
Martha Lavinia
🏝️ Australia's best beach break • King Island isolation • Wild Bass Strait