Coolum Beach
Coolum Beach is a consistent beach break on the Sunshine Coast that offers quality waves without the crowds of Noosa. Mount Coolum, an ancient volcanic dome, provides a dramatic backdrop to the surf. The beach produces multiple peaks that shift with the sandbars, offering options for all ability levels. When E-SE swells hit, the beach can produce surprisingly hollow waves. The town has evolved from a quiet holiday village to a popular surf destination, but retains a more relaxed vibe than the Gold Coast. Pro surfers Julian Wilson and Steph Gilmore have trained here.
Coolum Beach surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to MCY, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Australia is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Australia — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Coolum Beach trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (120°)
- Direction range
- 80° - 135°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (260°)
- Offshore range
- 220° - 300°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
Water temp
23°C
Wetsuit
Springsuit / 2mm
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
5/10
Access: Sunshine Coast airport nearby. Resort town.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Coolum Beach?
Coolum Beach is a beach break in Sunshine Coast, Australia, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Coolum Beach?
Coolum Beach picks up swell from the E round to the SE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the ESE. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 8s 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 Coolum Beach?
A W wind is dead offshore at Coolum Beach, and anything from the SW round to the WNW 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 Coolum Beach?
Coolum Beach has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.4m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Coolum Beach?
The most reliable run of swell at Coolum Beach comes Feb to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Jan too. Works year-round. Best on E-SE swells.
How cold is the water at Coolum Beach?
The water at Coolum Beach averages around 23°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 Coolum Beach 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 (5/10) when it's on. Standard beach rips. Patrolled beach.
How do I get to Coolum Beach?
The nearest airport on our list is MCY, then it's roughly a 25-minute drive. Sunshine Coast airport nearby. Resort town.
What other surf spots are near Coolum Beach?
The closest breaks we track are Noosa First Point (16 km), Noosa Tea Tree (17 km) and Noosa Nationals (17 km), handy when Coolum Beach isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Feb-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan
Works year-round. Best on E-SE swells.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Noosa First Point
🏄 Longboard paradise • A string of perfect points • Nose-riding nirvana
Noosa Tea Tree
🌿 Noosa's hollow section • Boulder bottom barrels • National Park setting
Noosa Nationals
🏆 Boiling Pot takeoff • 400m+ rides • Noosa's outermost point
Double Island Point
🏖️ 500m+ rides possible • Sand point perfection • 4WD adventure access
Cylinders
⚡ Running on all cylinders • Island right point • Ferry required
South Stradbroke
🦈 Paddle across the Seaway • Hollow A-frames • Less crowd, more sharks