Cylinders
Cylinders is North Stradbroke Island's premier point—a sand-covered reef that produces long, walling rights when strong NE-E swells wrap into Moreton Bay. The name says it all: when it's running on all cylinders, the wave peels for several hundred meters with barrel sections and rippable walls. Access requires a ferry from Cleveland plus a drive across the island. The local Straddie crew takes their wave seriously, so respect the hierarchy. When the angle is right, this is one of Queensland's best.
Cylinders surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (55°)
- Direction range
- 30° - 100°
- Size range
- 1m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.9m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Offshore range
- 135° - 225°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.6m
Water temp
23°C
Wetsuit
Springsuit / 2mm
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
7/10
Access: Ferry from Cleveland + drive across island.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Cylinders?
Cylinders is a point break in North Stradbroke Island, Australia, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Cylinders?
Cylinders picks up swell from the NNE round to the E, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NE. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.9 to 2.5m. 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 Cylinders?
A S wind is dead offshore at Cylinders, and anything from the SE round to the SW 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 Cylinders?
Cylinders has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.4m to 1.6m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Cylinders?
The most reliable run of swell at Cylinders comes Mar to May, through the southern autumn. There's a second window in Feb and Jun to Oct too. Autumn best. Needs strong E angle swell. Very wind sensitive.
How cold is the water at Cylinders?
The water at Cylinders 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 Cylinders good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Intense localism. Respect the island crew. Sand-covered reef.
How do I get to Cylinders?
The nearest airport on our list is BNE, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Ferry from Cleveland + drive across island.
What other surf spots are near Cylinders?
The closest breaks we track are South Stradbroke (47 km), handy when Cylinders isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-May
Secondary: Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Autumn best. Needs strong E angle swell. Very wind sensitive.
Getting There
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