Johanna Beach
Johanna Beach is a wild, exposed beach break on the Great Ocean Road that takes the full force of Southern Ocean swells. The beach is backed by rolling green farmland and the Otway Ranges, creating a quintessentially Victorian coastal landscape. When solid SW swells hit, Johanna produces powerful, punchy waves that can rival any beach break in Australia. The remote nature means crowds are rare, but so is backup if something goes wrong. This is a wave for experienced surfers comfortable in cold, powerful conditions.
Johanna 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 MEL, 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 Johanna 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
- SW (220°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 270°
- Size range
- 1m - 3.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.1m - 2.9m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (0°)
- Offshore range
- 315° - 45°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.6m
Water temp
14°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Easy beach access from Great Ocean Road.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Johanna Beach?
Johanna Beach is a beach break in Great Ocean Road, Australia, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Johanna Beach?
Johanna Beach picks up swell from the S round to the W, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 3.5m, with the sweet spot around 2.1 to 2.9m. 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 Johanna Beach?
A N wind is dead offshore at Johanna Beach, and anything from the NW round to the NE 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 Johanna Beach?
Johanna Beach has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.3m to 1.6m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Johanna Beach?
The most reliable run of swell at Johanna Beach comes Apr to Sep. There's a second window in Mar and Oct too. Winter is prime. Picks up all Southern Ocean swell.
How cold is the water at Johanna Beach?
The water at Johanna Beach 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 Johanna Beach 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. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Strong rips. Remote beach—no patrols. Shark activity.
How do I get to Johanna Beach?
The nearest airport on our list is MEL, then it's roughly a 3-hour drive. Easy beach access from Great Ocean Road.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Mar, Oct
Winter is prime. Picks up all Southern Ocean swell.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
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
Point Impossible
🌊 Surf Coast sleeper • Less crowds than Bells • Two-section reef
Thirteenth Beach
🏖️ Melbourne's reliable option • Multiple peaks • Consistent catchall
Martha Lavinia
🏝️ Australia's best beach break • King Island isolation • Wild Bass Strait
Black Rock
🦭 Victorian reef right • Cold water barrels • Seal colony neighbor