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A surfer expertly rides a wave against a backdrop of a sunny beach and blue skies.
📷 Max Ravier · Pexels

Groove Surf

4.0 — based on 23 community signals
4.3 12 species 32 contributors

Groove Surf is a Gold Coast break in Burleigh Waters, Queensland, offering consistent waves year-round in a vibrant beach community.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entryFamily-friendlyBeginner

At a glance

Activity
surf
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Nudibranch

Map

This spot POIs Airport Nearby spots
Groove Surf location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
2.4 kn
Wave
1.02 m
Water
20.8°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SE (14%)
Now: NNE (12°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.45m

Next: High at 01:00 (+0.32m)

+1.0 m0 m-0.5 m
▲ 01:00 · +0.32m ▼ 07:00 · -0.04m ▲ 14:00 · +0.79m ▼ 21:00 · +0.05m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV7.45 · high Air PM2.513 · moderate 05:40 17:40
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 7.2 1.16 7 0mm
09-20 7.2 0.92 8 0mm
09-21 9 0.92 8 0mm
09-22 11.7 1.26 7 0mm
09-23 10.9 1.44 7 5mm
09-24 10.8 1.62 8 4mm
09-25 8.6 1.88 7 9mm

About this spot

Groove Surf sits in Burleigh Waters, a suburb on Australia's Gold Coast in Queensland. The break attracts surfers looking for accessible waves in a developed beach town with solid infrastructure and a thriving local culture. Being outside a marine protected area, the spot operates without additional permit restrictions that might apply elsewhere on the coast. The Gold Coast is known for its reliable swell exposure and warm-water conditions typical of southeast Queensland. Burleigh Waters sits within easy reach of established amenities, making it a straightforward destination for traveling surfers. The break's year-round potential means you can plan visits at almost any time, though understanding local seasonality will improve your session quality. Community engagement is active here: local surfers have documented conditions through video footage, and marine species observations have been logged in the area, giving newcomers real-world insight into what you'll encounter. The combination of consistent waves, accessible location, and community knowledge makes Groove Surf a solid choice for surfers exploring the Gold Coast lineup.

📖 Guide: Diving in Australia: 61 Sites from Coral Reefs to Cold-Water Wrecks

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Nudibranch

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 🏄 Surfboard or rental confirmation
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type I · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 16627km · ~3824kg · €69

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 53/100
  • Visa: e-Visa · 90 days max
  • Flight: 16h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 9h east · 6 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to surf Groove Surf?

Groove Surf works year-round, so you can plan trips almost any time. However, the Gold Coast typically sees more consistent swell in autumn and winter (March to August), when Southern Ocean swells reach the coast. Summer can be smaller but still rideable.

What skill level is Groove Surf suited for?

Difficulty ratings for Groove Surf are not publicly documented. Check recent community videos and contact local surfers for current conditions before your visit to gauge whether it matches your ability.

What marine life might I see at Groove Surf?

Twelve species observations have been recorded in the area, indicating an active marine ecosystem. The Gold Coast generally hosts fish, rays, and seasonal visitors. Always stay aware of conditions and respect local guidelines.

Do I need a permit to surf Groove Surf?

Groove Surf is not inside a marine protected area, so no special marine reserve permits are required. Standard beach access rules apply. Check with local authorities for any beach-specific regulations or closures.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

92 records · 30 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Aug 2025
×1records

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
7 Oct 2024
×1records

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Sept 2023
×7records

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
9 Aug 2022
×1records

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
29 Aug 2021
×3records

Carcharodon carcharias

White Shark
Elasmobranchii · Lamnidae
OBIS
Last seen:
13 Oct 2020
×1records
Depth:
15 m

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
23 Sept 2018
×1records

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
17 Oct 2015
×1records

Carcharhinus leucas

Bull Shark
Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
24 Sept 2013
×19records
Depth:
3–5 m

Mustelus antarcticus

Gummy Shark
Elasmobranchii · Triakidae
OBIS
Last seen:
10 Jan 2013
×1records
Depth:
3 m

Scylla serrata

Giant Mud Crab
Malacostraca · Portunidae
OBIS
Last seen:
3 Dec 2012
×1records
Depth:
5 m

Carcharhinus leucas

Bull Shark
Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
17 Nov 2012
×29records
Depth:
2–5 m

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Green Hollow Groove

Shoalhaven Image Network
💬 3 top comments
  • Lovely....why I chose to be a kneeboarder since childhood...barrels barrels barrels

    @gavinfisch2868 · 👍 11
  • This video inspired me to try kneeboarding. I have now made my own board, quad plus trailer. Love it. I get asked, why kneeboard? Watch this video i say....

    @timdale4047 · 👍 4
  • Kneeboarder for 50 yrs. I'll keep my boards thank you. Fun to shape and oh yeah. MANY BARRELS!😊

    @thomasobrien1213 · 👍 3

The Groove - small wave sessions with Rob Machado -

Firewire Japan
💬 1 top comments
  • Cado or the Groove? Watching Kevin Schulz on tiny waves tear it to pieces and do it so stylishly on the ‘Cado would lean me that way over the Groove??

    @jasonfreestone9944 · 👍 0

GROOVE MOVE - Full surf movie

Jack Coleman
💬 3 top comments
  • Who surfed the socal part? Absolutely immaculate style

    @aurydrum8918 · 👍 0
  • Such A Gnnnarly Vid🤙🤙

    @MatthewLinkous-sw5yp · 👍 0
  • Amazing

    @kookmar7431 · 👍 1

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "Need to fix the crossing details here when the aerial imagery updates."

    TheSwavu · 2026-02-24
  • "Posted speed was recently increased to 70km/h for a portion of Old Coach Road"

    RoadEngineering · 2025-12-30
  • "This intersection has been reconfigured. It now has a median divider. Will need updated imagery to map."

    TheSwavu · 2025-07-10
wind peaks Oct-Sep-Nov, calmest Aug-Jul-Jun, dry Apr-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)

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