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Surfers enjoy the waves at Gold Coast beach with the iconic skyline in the background.
📷 Phoenix Main · Pexels

Periwinkle Beach

3.6 — based on 18 community signals
4.3 12 species 30 contributors

Periwinkle Beach offers year-round surf in Australia's Slaves Bay Conservation Area, a protected coastal zone with consistent waves.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · Slaves Bay Conservation Area updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
MPAShore entryFamily-friendly

At a glance

Activity
surf
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
Periwinkle Beach location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
13 kn
Wave
2.6 m
Water
12.8°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SW (26%)
Now: WSW (257°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.75m

Today: High 05:00 (+0.2m), Low 12:00 (-0.13m)

+0.3 m0 m-0.4 m
▲ 05:00 · +0.2m ▼ 12:00 · -0.13m ▲ 14:00 · -0.11m ▼ 21:00 · -0.42m Now -0.0m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV4.75 · mod Air PM2.514 · moderate 06:16 18:14
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 18.5 3.32 5 8mm
09-20 19.1 2.72 6 4mm
09-21 18 3.82 5 1mm
09-22 6.3 3.94 6 0mm
09-23 7.1 1.96 5 0mm
09-24 11.2 1.5 1 1mm
09-25 10 1.32 2 3mm

About this spot

Periwinkle Beach sits within Slaves Bay Conservation Area on Australia's coast, a designation that protects the marine environment while keeping the break accessible to visiting surfers. The beach's year-round suitability means you can time a trip around your schedule rather than chasing seasonal swells elsewhere. Waters here support diverse species, and 12 documented species observations point to a healthy ecosystem worth respecting when you're in the lineup. The protected status of Slaves Bay Conservation Area underscores why local rules matter. Surf responsibly, stay within designated zones, and check current access guidelines before heading out—protections exist to keep the break alive for future sessions. Community-generated content tells the real story: three videos from people who've actually surfed here beat any marketing bluff. Periwinkle Beach rewards patience and respect. The year-round option means you can dial in your own rhythm, learn the break's moods across seasons, and develop the kind of local knowledge that separates good sessions from forgettable ones. Whether you're after glassy mornings or consistent swell, this protected bay delivers.

📖 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

Dive types

Shore

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 · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 17119km · ~3937kg · €71

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

Can I surf Periwinkle Beach year-round?

Yes. The beach breaks consistently across all seasons, so you can plan a trip whenever your schedule allows rather than timing it to a narrow winter window.

What difficulty level is Periwinkle Beach?

Specific skill requirements aren't documented. Consult the three community videos available online and local guides to gauge whether conditions suit your ability.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species observations have been recorded in the area. The diversity reflects Slaves Bay Conservation Area's protected status, so you're surfing in a healthy marine zone.

Do I need permits to surf here?

Periwinkle Beach falls within Slaves Bay Conservation Area. Check current access rules and any permit requirements with local authorities before your visit to stay compliant.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

66 records · 48 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Caryodes dufresnii

Gastropoda · Caryodidae
GBIF
Last seen:
26 Jan 2026
×1records

Haliotis rubra

Gastropoda · Haliotidae
GBIF
Last seen:
21 Jan 2026
×2records

Sabia australis

Gastropoda · Hipponicidae
GBIF
Last seen:
21 Jan 2026
×1records

Meridiastra calcar

Asteroidea · Asterinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
20 Jan 2026
×6records

Lunella undulata

Gastropoda · Turbinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
20 Jan 2026
×2records

Venerupis anomala

Bivalvia · Veneridae
GBIF
Last seen:
20 Jan 2026
×2records

Chlorodiloma adelaidae

Gastropoda · Trochidae
GBIF
Last seen:
20 Jan 2026
×2records

Haliotis scalaris

Gastropoda · Haliotidae
GBIF
Last seen:
20 Jan 2026
×1records

Musculus impactus

Bivalvia · Mytilidae
GBIF
Last seen:
20 Jan 2026
×1records

Scutellastra peronii

Gastropoda · Patellidae
GBIF
Last seen:
20 Jan 2026
×1records

Xenostrobus pulex

Bivalvia · Mytilidae
GBIF
Last seen:
20 Jan 2026
×1records

Notomithrax ursus

Malacostraca · Majidae
GBIF
Last seen:
20 Jan 2026
×1records

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.

The West Coast Classic Surf Comp | Back Roads | ABC Australia

ABC Australia
💬 2 top comments
  • Gorgeous. I'm so wishing I could have been there. Couldn't quite make it. Always next year. I abzo luv Tassie the sister of my home state. Victoria. Victoria has nothin' on Tassie in comparison when it comes to salty Monsters!

    @lilysceeliljeaniemoonlight · 👍 0
  • 🌺

    @lilysceeliljeaniemoonlight · 👍 0

Battle of the Periwinkles @Thirroul Beach

Dangerpus
💬 1 top comments
  • I am a snail convert

    @benmichelle3181 · 👍 2

Algarve SEA CAVES & SECRET BEACH CAVES Tour ! Benagil Beach Cave Exploring!

BeyondTheVan
💬 3 top comments
  • Brilliant, What awesome place. Looks warm too.

    @badfairy9554 · 👍 0
  • That was wonderful! Such gorgeous, stunning scenery and so beautifully filmed! What an adventure you had!

    @pootle2768 · 👍 2
  • I love getting my Portugal fix,can't wait to get back there,keep the sunny videos coming !!!!.

    @sharononeill8729 · 👍 0
wind peaks Sep-Oct-Feb, calmest Mar-Jun-Apr, dry Jan-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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