Thirteenth Beach
Thirteenth Beach is a long stretch of sand near Barwon Heads that offers multiple peaks and consistent waves. The beach is more exposed than the town beaches of Torquay and Jan Juc, meaning it picks up swell when other spots are flat. The sandbars shift regularly, so checking multiple spots along the beach is recommended. When small to medium swells hit with light winds, Thirteenth Beach offers fun, rippable waves suitable for all abilities. It's a staple of the Melbourne surf scene and often the go-to when conditions are marginal elsewhere.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (200°)
- Direction range
- 170° - 240°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (350°)
- Offshore range
- 310° - 30°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
Water temp
15°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
5/10
Access: Easy beach access from multiple carparks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Thirteenth Beach?
Thirteenth Beach is a beach break in Barwon Heads, Australia, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Thirteenth Beach?
Thirteenth Beach picks up swell from the S round to the WSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 8s 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 Thirteenth Beach?
A N wind is dead offshore at Thirteenth Beach, and anything from the NW round to the NNE 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 Thirteenth Beach?
Thirteenth Beach has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.4m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Thirteenth Beach?
The most reliable run of swell at Thirteenth Beach comes Apr to Sep. There's a second window in Mar and Oct to Nov too. Works year-round. More consistent than town beaches.
How cold is the water at Thirteenth Beach?
The water at Thirteenth Beach averages around 15°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 Thirteenth Beach good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (5/10) when it's on. Strong rips on bigger days. Check conditions before paddling.
How do I get to Thirteenth Beach?
The nearest airport on our list is MEL, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Easy beach access from multiple carparks.
What other surf spots are near Thirteenth Beach?
The closest breaks we track are Point Impossible (8.6 km), Winki Pop (18 km) and Bells Beach (19 km), handy when Thirteenth Beach isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Mar, Oct, Nov
Works year-round. More consistent than town beaches.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Point Impossible
🌊 Surf Coast sleeper • Less crowds than Bells • Two-section reef
Winki Pop
🔔 Bells' barrel neighbor • Local crew heavy • Victorian proving ground
Bells Beach
🔔 Home of the Rip Curl Pro • Australia's competitive soul • Cold water power
Black Rock
🦭 Victorian reef right • Cold water barrels • Seal colony neighbor
Cape Woolamai
🐧 Phillip Island main break • Southern Ocean power • Wild Victoria
Johanna Beach
🌿 Great Ocean Road power • Otway backdrop • Wild Victorian coast