Duranbah
Duranbah (D-Bah) is the Gold Coast's swell magnet—an east-facing beach break that picks up energy when everywhere else is flat. The wave produces punchy A-frame peaks that offer fast, hollow barrels and high-performance walls ideal for airs. The Tweed River training wall creates a permanent sandbank setup, making D-Bah more consistent than other beach breaks. It's crowded, competitive, and a proving ground for young pros. When the points are small, D-Bah is often the best option for quality waves.
Duranbah surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Direction range
- 60° - 130°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2m
- Ideal size
- 1.2m - 1.7m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WSW (250°)
- Offshore range
- 210° - 290°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.6m
Water temp
23°C
Wetsuit
Springsuit / 2mm
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
9/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Duranbah?
Duranbah is a beach break in Gold Coast, Australia, with peaks that run both left and right. It's also a renowned bodyboarding wave.
What swell works best at Duranbah?
Duranbah picks up swell from the ENE round to the SE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the E. It starts working at around 0.6m and handles up to about 2m, with the sweet spot around 1.2 to 1.7m. 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 Duranbah?
A WSW wind is dead offshore at Duranbah, and anything from the SSW 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 Duranbah?
Duranbah has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.4m to 1.6m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Duranbah?
Duranbah works year-round. Year-round east-facing swell magnet. Often works when the Gold Coast points are too small.
How cold is the water at Duranbah?
The water at Duranbah 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 Duranbah good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. It gets busy (crowd 9/10), so mind the pecking order. Strong rips. Very crowded. Next to Tweed River mouth - water quality after rain.
How do I get to Duranbah?
The nearest airport on our list is OOL, then it's roughly a 15-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Duranbah?
The closest breaks we track are Snapper Rocks (0.2 km), Greenmount (0.6 km) and Superbank (Maxing) (1.0 km), handy when Duranbah isn't working. We track 7 spots around Gold Coast in total.
Best Season
Peak: Jan-Dec
Year-round east-facing swell magnet. Often works when the Gold Coast points are too small.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Snapper Rocks
🦘 Superbank starting point • 2km rides possible • Gold Coast icon
Greenmount
🌅 Superbank connection • Coolangatta icon • Headland right-hander
Superbank (Maxing)
🌊 2km connected rides • Cyclone swells only • 500-surfer zoo
Kirra
🏆 Australia's barrel queen • Superbank's finishing move • Sand politics drama
Fingal Head
🌋 Basalt reef right • Australia's Giants Causeway • Ancient lava break
Burleigh Heads
💪 Gold Coast power • Boulder point perfection • Don't drop in on the locals
Plan a trip around Duranbah
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