South Stradbroke
South Stradbroke (TOS - The Other Side) is the Gold Coast's secret weapon—a hollow A-frame beach break that requires a 350-meter paddle across the treacherous Seaway channel. The crossing deters crowds, leaving those brave enough to make it with world-class peaks and far fewer surfers than anywhere else on the coast. The sand formations produce perfect barrels on E swells. Watch for boats, strong currents, and the ever-present bull sharks in the channel. Worth the risk? The empty tubes say yes.
Today's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Tide Times
Strike Score Breakdown
Location & Conditions
Get the full South Stradbroke 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
Swell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Direction range
- 45° - 135°
- Size range
- 1m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.0m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Offshore range
- 230° - 315°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
- Optimal range
- 0.6m - 1.6m
- Danger below
- 0.3m
Water temp
23°C
Wetsuit
Springsuit / 2mm
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: 350m paddle across Seaway from breakwall to breakwall. Dodging boats and rips.
Best Season
Peak: Feb-Oct
Year-round. Protected from crowds by channel crossing.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Main Beach
🏄 Gold Coast overflow • Uncrowded peaks • Surfers Paradise alternative
Burleigh Heads
💪 Gold Coast power • Boulder point perfection • Don't drop in on the locals
Kirra
🏆 Australia's barrel queen • Superbank's finishing move • Sand politics drama
Kirra (Cyclone)
🌀 World's best right • Cyclone magic • Once-in-a-decade perfection
Greenmount
🌅 Superbank connection • Coolangatta icon • Headland right-hander
Duranbah
🧲 Gold Coast swell magnet • Punchy A-frames • Pro training ground