Cow Bombie
Cow Bombie (Cowaramup Bombora) is Australia's premier big wave break—an open-ocean reef that lurks 2 kilometres offshore from Gracetown in the Margaret River region. When massive Indian Ocean storm swells push through, the bombie comes alive with waves that have been ridden at 40+ feet, making it the biggest wave ever surfed in Australia. The break was pioneered by local big wave chargers and has since attracted international big wave surfers. Only accessible by jet ski, Cow Bombie represents the absolute pinnacle of Australian big wave surfing.
Cow Bombie 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 PER, 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 Cow Bombie 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
- WSW (240°)
- Direction range
- 190° - 290°
- Size range
- 4m - 18m
- Ideal size
- 6.9m - 11.1m
- Height multiplier
- 1.08×
- Ideal period
- 20s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (100°)
- Offshore range
- 70° - 135°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
Water temp
18°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
10/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: ~2hr45 drive south from Perth to Gracetown, then jet-ski launch and a 2km ride out to the break.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Cow Bombie?
Cow Bombie is a big-wave spot in Gracetown, Australia, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Cow Bombie?
Cow Bombie picks up swell from the S round to the WNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the WSW. It starts working at around 4m and keeps going up to about 18m, with the sweet spot around 6.9 to 11.1m. Period matters too: aim for 20s or longer, as anything under 16s 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 Cow Bombie?
An E wind is dead offshore at Cow Bombie, and anything from the ENE round to the SE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Cow Bombie?
Cow Bombie isn't especially fussy about tide and generally works through the cycle, so swell and wind matter more here. Big tides can still change how it breaks, so it's worth checking before you paddle out.
When is the best time of year to surf Cow Bombie?
The most reliable run of swell at Cow Bombie comes Jun to Aug, through the southern winter. There's a second window in May and Sep too. Winter only. Needs massive swell to break on the outer reef.
How cold is the water at Cow Bombie?
The water at Cow Bombie averages around 18°C, so you'll want a 3/2mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Cow Bombie good for beginners?
No. As a big-wave spot, it's strictly for experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Australia's biggest rideable wave. 2km offshore. Tow-in/jet ski only.
How do I get to Cow Bombie?
The nearest airport on our list is PER, then it's roughly a 3-hour drive. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $600 USD, but confirm with an operator). ~2hr45 drive south from Perth to Gracetown, then jet-ski launch and a 2km ride out to the break.
What other surf spots are near Cow Bombie?
The closest breaks we track are South Point (0.7 km), Lefthanders (1.8 km) and The Guillotine (4.4 km), handy when Cow Bombie isn't working. We track 4 spots around Gracetown in total.
Best Season
Peak: Jun-Aug
Secondary: May, Sep
Winter only. Needs massive swell to break on the outer reef.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
South Point
🌿 Gracetown left • Beginner friendly • Works in onshore
Lefthanders
🦈 Gracetown quality • Workable walls • Shark country awareness
The Guillotine
🔪 Gracetown reef • Very consistent • Uncrowded
The Box
⚠️ Australia's heaviest slab • Square barrels of doom • Helmets recommended
Margaret River
🦈 Indian Ocean power • Multiple world-class breaks • Bring your shark shields
Surfers Point
🍷 Margaret River's left • Wine country waves • Less crowds than Margs
Plan a trip around Cow Bombie
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.