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.
South Stradbroke surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to OOL, 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 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
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Direction range
- 45° - 135°
- Size range
- 1m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- 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
👥 Spring Break (Sep 26 – Oct 11) — expect extra crowds
Access: 350m paddle across Seaway from breakwall to breakwall. Dodging boats and rips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at South Stradbroke?
The South Stradbroke profile favors mid to high tide, ideally between 0.6m and 1.6m on the local tide chart. Compare this preference with the forecast tide and local conditions before choosing a session. The profile flags a low-tide hazard below 0.3m.
What wind direction is offshore at South Stradbroke?
The South Stradbroke profile uses wind from W (270°) as its preferred direction, with an offshore range of 230° to 315°. Wind speed matters too: light winds outside that range can still produce surfable conditions, while strong offshore winds can make takeoffs difficult.
What swell size and direction work best at South Stradbroke?
The South Stradbroke scoring profile favors swell from E (45° to 135°), a swell-height range of 1m to 2.5m, and a reference period of 12s. These are model inputs, not guaranteed breaking-wave heights or a promise that the surf will suit every ability.
When is the best time of year to surf South Stradbroke?
The main season at South Stradbroke is Feb-Oct. Year-round. Protected from crowds by channel crossing.
How do I get to South Stradbroke?
The spot profile lists OOL as a nearby airport. The estimated road transfer is 25 minutes. 350m paddle across Seaway from breakwall to breakwall. Dodging boats and rips.
What kind of wave is South Stradbroke?
South Stradbroke is a beach break, a peak with lefts and rights. Difficulty is rated 6/10.
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
Greenmount
🌅 Superbank connection • Coolangatta icon • Headland right-hander
Duranbah
🧲 Gold Coast swell magnet • Punchy A-frames • Pro training ground
Superbank (Maxing)
🌊 2km connected rides • Cyclone swells only • 500-surfer zoo
Plan a trip around South Stradbroke
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.