The Guillotine
The Guillotine is an exposed left-hand reef break near Gracetown that delivers very consistent waves. The reef picks up virtually any swell going and works best around mid tide when the wave produces clean, defined walls with barrel sections. The isolated location keeps crowds to a minimum, but the rocky reef and shark-prone waters demand respect. A solid intermediate option in the Margaret River region.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Direction range
- 195° - 265°
- Size range
- 1m - 3.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.1m - 2.9m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ENE (70°)
- Offshore range
- 30° - 110°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.65m - 0.95m
Water temp
19°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Remote access near Gracetown. Track through bush.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is The Guillotine?
The Guillotine is a reef break in Gracetown, Australia, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at The Guillotine?
The Guillotine 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 3.5m, with the sweet spot around 2.1 to 2.9m. 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 The Guillotine?
An ENE wind is dead offshore at The Guillotine, and anything from the NNE round to the ESE 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 The Guillotine?
The Guillotine is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.65m to 0.95m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf The Guillotine?
The most reliable run of swell at The Guillotine comes Mar to Oct. There's a second window in Feb and Nov too. Very consistent reef. Autumn through spring is prime.
How cold is the water at The Guillotine?
The water at The Guillotine averages around 19°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 The Guillotine good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Isolated spot. Reef entry. Shark territory.
How do I get to The Guillotine?
The nearest airport on our list is PER, then it's roughly a 3-hour drive. Remote access near Gracetown. Track through bush.
What other surf spots are near The Guillotine?
The closest breaks we track are Cow Bombie (4.4 km), South Point (4.8 km) and Lefthanders (5.3 km), handy when The Guillotine isn't working. We track 4 spots around Gracetown in total.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Oct
Secondary: Feb, Nov
Very consistent reef. Autumn through spring is prime.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Cow Bombie
🏔️ Australia's biggest wave • 2km offshore • Margaret River power
South Point
🌿 Gracetown left • Beginner friendly • Works in onshore
Lefthanders
🦈 Gracetown quality • Workable walls • Shark country awareness
Injidup
🏝️ Hidden bay beauty • Multiple peaks • All abilities welcome
The Box
⚠️ Australia's heaviest slab • Square barrels of doom • Helmets recommended
Margaret River
🦈 Indian Ocean power • Multiple world-class breaks • Bring your shark shields