Australia is known for its word class surf breaks, with the Sunshine Coast in the northeastern state of Queensland earning a high spot on the “Surf Destination Bucket List” for the majority of surfers.
Among the many surf towns scattered along the northeastern coast of Australia, Noosa has established itself as one of the surf meccas of the world and home of some of the best beaches for surfers and nonsurfers alike.
While it is mainly a longboarding wave, surfers of all kinds can find a break that best suits them along the Noosa stretch.
Here’s some guidance on navigating the handful of them.
Noosa Surf Guide
Waves in Noosa
If you’re regular foot, I suggest booking the flight over now.
Noosa was hand picked by the right-hand-gods, made up of a chain of right hand point breaks that work best when the northeast-east cyclone swells hit the Sunshine Coast in the summer time.
It still works all year round and provides fun peelers in smaller conditions.
There is a collection of reefs along the coast of Noosa that help the waves stay fast and punchy even if it’s only a two foot wave, but it can get pretty sizable if the right swell hits the points.
If you go further south, you’ll find the beach breaks along Sunshine Beach with plenty of peaks and easy beach access to choose from.
Surf Culture at Noosa
Noosa at its heart is the quintessential easy-going surf town filled with locals, groms and beginners alike.
There is a huge surfing community, tightknit with those born and raised and those who moved there in defeat of escaping the surf.
Expect a big tourist scene and crowded line ups at any time of the year. Overall, the town of Noosa is vibrant, laid-back, welcoming and definitely warm.
Gear Needed to Surf In Noosa
The water stays warm all year long in this part of Australia; we’re talking average 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter time. You’ll only need boardies or a 2mm wetsuit jacket at most.
You’ll most likely have the most fun with a longboard, midlength, or a fish.
Depending on your skill level, leashes are optional.
The Best Waves in Noosa
In this section, break down 5 waves in the area, discussing how to get there, where to
park, what the wave is like, what swell condition makes it fire, and more.
Spot 1: Main Beach
On the downtown strip of Noosa along Hastings Street, you’ll find Main Beach.
The Noosa Festival of Surfing is held here every March.
It is quite the picture-perfect beach, with a large beachscape for tourists to sunbathe and a vast lineup of waves wrapping around from the point all the way to the inside.
This spot is an all around break for surfers of any level with an inside section as well as larger waves breaking further out the point.
It is a tourist magnet with its convenience to bathrooms, the surf club and shops, so expect swimmers and some kooks along with the rippers.
Spot 2: First Point
If you drive further south, you’ll find a rock point that indicates First Point.
It is more protected and is longboard haven, providing long waves practically asking for the longest hang ten of your life.
There is an easy to spot parking lot that provides easy access to paddle straight out, but the biggest issue is the crowd and potentially looping for thirty minutes just to park.
Spot 3: The Boiling Pot
At the end of Hastings Street, you’ll find a fairly sized parking lot right on the beach that gives access to what the locals call “Nationals”.
If you walk south a bit, there is a rock slab that is a jump away from a right-hand bowl of a wave.
This break is better for shortboarders looking for something fast and stronger shape.
The locals can get pretty eggy here, so make sure you know what you’re doing and are on higher awareness.
Spot 4: Tea Tree Bay
Tea Tree Bay is heaven on earth for longboarders and midlengthers.
It is easiest to park in the same parking lot at Nationals due to the trail walk to get there straight from that parking lot.
Make sure you’ve got a hat and sunscreen on as it is about a ten-minute walk before reaching the overhanging trees, beach and glorious point break.
The right-hand waves break on the outer reef and wrap all the way to the shore.
These waves are cruisey and long, almost mimicking a conveyer belt from a beach perspective.
This is local’s land and can be hard to get waves as it is almost guaranteed to be crowded and filled with people who know the break like the back of their hand.
Luckily, it only takes one wave at Tea Tree to achieve as much as you normally would at a break somewhere else.
Spot 5: North Sunshine Beach
This is where the fish and shortboard riders come in.
Sunshine Beach has a seemingly endless stretch of beach breaks that hold big swell, speed and power. There’s both lefts and rights at almost every peak. Based on the sand and tide, they can be punchy and wedgy or A-frame reelers.
On a good northeast swell, it’s not hard to find a barrel at almost every break.
These waves are for more advanced surfers if there is a decent swell. It can be mellow and easier for beginner surfers when the conditions are under four feet.
What To Do In Noosa When the Waves Are Flat
It can be common for Noosa area to be completely flat without the cyclone swells, but there’s still plenty to do in the area.
There is an entire strip of boutiques, coffee shops and surf stores to spend a day at.
There is some of the best restaurants, acai pop up booths and healthy food options to find in the town.
Vacationers often hit up the local Surf Club with pool tables, good views and a bar.
Even if it’s flat, the beaches are undeniably beautiful and can be spent laying out, swimming and adventuring around the coves and forests that line the coast.
The Bottom Line: Surfing Noosa
Noosa, Australia is a must see and must surf. If you get the chance, we highly recommended finding yourself amongst the koalas in the trees and longboarders in the lineup.