Martha Lavinia
Martha Lavinia is the remote beach break on King Island that Tracks magazine rated as Australia's best. Sitting in Bass Strait between Tasmania and Victoria, the west-facing beach catches every Southern Ocean swell that rolls through, delivering powerful, hollow beach break peaks with nobody around. The island's small population means you'll likely surf alone, accompanied only by the kelp forests, Cape Barren geese, and the occasional seal. Getting here requires a flight to the tiny King Island Airport, but the reward is pristine, uncrowded waves in one of Australia's wildest settings.
Martha Lavinia surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Direction range
- 200° - 260°
- Size range
- 1m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.9m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WSW (240°)
- Offshore range
- 210° - 280°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.3m
Water temp
14°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: King Island Airport (KNS). Short drive to west coast beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Martha Lavinia?
Martha Lavinia is a beach break in King Island, Australia, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Martha Lavinia?
Martha Lavinia 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 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 Martha Lavinia?
A WSW wind is dead offshore at Martha Lavinia, and anything from the SSW round to the W keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am 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 Martha Lavinia?
Martha Lavinia is at its best around the low to mid tide, roughly 0.3m to 1.3m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Martha Lavinia?
Martha Lavinia works year-round. Year-round. Consistent swell from Southern Ocean and Bass Strait.
How cold is the water at Martha Lavinia?
The water at Martha Lavinia 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 Martha Lavinia 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 1/10). Extremely remote island. Strong rips. Cold water.
How do I get to Martha Lavinia?
The nearest airport on our list is KNS, then it's roughly a 20-minute drive. King Island Airport (KNS). Short drive to west coast beach.
Best Season
Peak: Jan-Dec
Year-round. Consistent swell from Southern Ocean and Bass Strait.
Getting There
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