Superbank (Maxing)
Superbank Maxing is the stuff of Gold Coast legend—when cyclone swells from the Coral Sea push the Superbank beyond its normal limits, connecting Snapper Rocks through Rainbow Bay, Greenmount, Coolangatta, and Kirra into a continuous ride of around 2 kilometers. It doesn't happen often, and when it does, 500 or more surfers can pack the lineup. It's chaotic, crowded, and absolutely magical. Timing a trip to score the Superbank maxing is surfing's ultimate lottery.
Superbank (Maxing) surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (120°)
- Direction range
- 70° - 145°
- Size range
- 1.8m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2.3m - 2.7m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WSW (240°)
- Offshore range
- 190° - 260°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.4m
Water temp
22°C
Wetsuit
Springsuit / 2mm
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
9/10
Access: Beach
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Superbank (Maxing)?
Superbank is a point break in Gold Coast, Australia, that mostly breaks right. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves.
What's the story behind Superbank (Maxing)?
The Superbank was created by the Tweed River sand bypass, which has pumped sand north from the river mouth since 1995. On a good day more than 500 surfers have been counted along its 2 km.
What swell works best at Superbank (Maxing)?
Superbank picks up swell from the ENE round to the SE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the ESE. It starts working at around 1.8m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 2.3 to 2.7m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 12s tends to be weak. E windswell + SE groundswell creates wedge. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Superbank (Maxing)?
A WSW wind is dead offshore at Superbank, and anything from the S round to the W 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 Superbank (Maxing)?
Superbank is at its best around the low to mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.4m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Superbank (Maxing)?
The most reliable run of swell at Superbank comes Feb to May. Rare. Needs cyclone swell + light winds.
How cold is the water at Superbank (Maxing)?
The water at Superbank averages around 22°C, so you'll want a springsuit or 2mm. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Superbank (Maxing) good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. It gets busy (crowd 9/10), so mind the pecking order. Can get up to 500 surfers when maxing. Strong rips on big days.
How do I get to Superbank (Maxing)?
The nearest airport on our list is OOL, then it's roughly a 10-minute drive. Beach.
What other surf spots are near Superbank (Maxing)?
The closest breaks we track are Greenmount (0.8 km), Snapper Rocks (0.9 km) and Duranbah (1.0 km), handy when Superbank isn't working. We track 7 spots around Gold Coast in total.
Best Season
Peak: Feb-May
Rare. Needs cyclone swell + light winds.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Greenmount
🌅 Superbank connection • Coolangatta icon • Headland right-hander
Snapper Rocks
🦘 Superbank starting point • 2km rides possible • Gold Coast icon
Duranbah
🧲 Gold Coast swell magnet • Punchy A-frames • Pro training ground
Kirra
🏆 Australia's barrel queen • Superbank's finishing move • Sand politics drama
Fingal Head
🌋 Basalt reef right • Australia's Giants Causeway • Ancient lava break
Burleigh Heads
💪 Gold Coast power • Boulder point perfection • Don't drop in on the locals
Plan a trip around Superbank (Maxing)
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.