Margaret River
Margaret River is Western Australia's undisputed wave capital—a stretch of rugged coastline where powerful Indian Ocean swells meet a minefield of world-class reef breaks. The main break offers everything from punchy walls to heavy barrels, while nearby The Box delivers one of Australia's most terrifying slabs. North Point adds a long, powerful right to the mix. The region is also renowned for great white shark activity, adding genuine menace to sessions. Cold, raw, and wild, Margs rewards surfers willing to venture beyond the Bali comfort zone.
Margaret River surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Direction range
- 195° - 280°
- Size range
- 1m - 5m
- Ideal size
- 2.8m - 4m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 15s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 45° - 135°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 2m
Water temp
18°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
8/10
Crowd level
6/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Margaret River?
Margaret River is a reef break in Western Australia, Australia, with peaks that run both left and right. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves.
What's the story behind Margaret River?
There are some 75 breaks along around 130 km of coast here, and locals just call the area 'Margs'. Margaret River was visited in the 1966 film The Endless Summer.
What swell works best at Margaret River?
Margaret River picks up swell from the SSW 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 5m, with the sweet spot around 2.8 to 4m. Period matters too: aim for 15s or longer, as anything under 12s 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 Margaret River?
An E wind is dead offshore at Margaret River, and anything from the NE 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 Margaret River?
Margaret River has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.5m to 2m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Margaret River?
The most reliable run of swell at Margaret River comes Apr to Oct. There's a second window in Mar and Nov too. Winter swells. Indian Ocean power.
How cold is the water at Margaret River?
The water at Margaret River 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 Margaret River good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 8/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. Expect a moderate crowd (6/10) when it's on. High shark activity. Cold water. Remote spots.
How do I get to Margaret River?
The nearest airport on our list is PER, then it's roughly a 3-hour drive.
What other surf spots are near Margaret River?
The closest breaks we track are Surfers Point (1.0 km), The Box (3.7 km) and Gas Bay (5.7 km), handy when Margaret River isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Mar, Nov
Winter swells. Indian Ocean power.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Surfers Point
🍷 Margaret River's left • Wine country waves • Less crowds than Margs
The Box
⚠️ Australia's heaviest slab • Square barrels of doom • Helmets recommended
Gas Bay
🌊 Margaret River right • Consistent reef • Works year-round
Lefthanders
🦈 Gracetown quality • Workable walls • Shark country awareness
South Point
🌿 Gracetown left • Beginner friendly • Works in onshore
Cow Bombie
🏔️ Australia's biggest wave • 2km offshore • Margaret River power
Plan a trip around Margaret River
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