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A surfer skillfully gliding on waves at Crescent Head, NSW, Australia.
📷 Amelia Giannitto · Pexels

Surfboard Empire

3.8 — based on 16 community signals
4.2 12 species 22 contributors

Surfboard Empire is a year-round Gold Coast break near Coolangatta, Queensland. Consistent waves and a strong local community make it a reliable Australian surf destination.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entryFamily-friendly

At a glance

Activity
surf
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Green sea turtle

Top operators here

See all operators ↓

Map

This spot Operators POIs Airport Nearby spots
Surfboard Empire location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
2.6 kn
Wave
1.04 m
Water
20.8°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: E (18%)
Now: N (351°)
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
UV7.4 · high Air PM2.512 · moderate 05:39 17:40
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 7.4 1.16 7 0mm
09-20 7.9 0.92 7 0mm
09-21 8.7 0.92 8 0mm
09-22 11.9 1.26 6 1mm
09-23 10.8 1.44 8 3mm
09-24 10.8 1.62 8 5mm
09-25 9 1.88 7 9mm

About this spot

Surfboard Empire sits in Coolangatta, a suburb on Queensland's Gold Coast. The break offers year-round swell, making it accessible whether you're planning a winter escape or summer session. The spot draws a mix of locals and visiting surfers who appreciate its consistent conditions and proximity to the broader Gold Coast infrastructure. The area hosts an active community with documented video content showing conditions across different seasons. Nearby amenities typical of the Gold Coast—accommodation, food, and other water sports—are readily available. The break is unprotected by marine reserve designation, so conditions can vary with weather and swell direction. Access is straightforward from Coolangatta's developed beachfront. The local crew is welcoming to respectful visitors who follow standard beach etiquette. Whether you're a beginner testing Australian waves or an experienced surfer chasing Gold Coast swell, Surfboard Empire offers a genuine Australian surf experience without the crowds of more famous breaks nearby.

📖 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

Green sea turtle

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 ↔ 16639km · ~3827kg · €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

What's the best time to surf Surfboard Empire?

The spot works year-round, so any month can deliver waves. Check community videos and local reports to time your trip for your preferred swell size and season.

Is Surfboard Empire suitable for beginners?

Difficulty data isn't available, so scout the break in person or ask local operators about current conditions before paddling out. Video content from the community can give you a sense of typical wave shape and power.

What should I know about the marine environment?

Twelve species observations have been recorded at the spot. Research local marine life reports and practice Leave No Trace principles to protect the ecosystem.

How do I access Surfboard Empire and are there permit requirements?

The break is in Coolangatta, an accessible Queensland beachfront suburb. No special permits are required for surfing. Park at public facilities and respect any local beach regulations.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Kirra Dive

1.1 km
4.7 (209 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 43+ times this month
Hours: Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

21 records · 15 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Phyllodocida

Polychaeta
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 2016
×2records
Depth:
0–725 m

Siphonophorae

Hydrozoa
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 2016
×2records
Depth:
160–400 m

Haliclystus borealis

Staurozoa · Haliclystidae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 2016
×1records

Narcomedusae

Hydrozoa
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 2016
×1records
Depth:
400 m

Doliolum nationalis

Thaliacea · Doliolidae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 2016
×1records
Depth:
75 m

Oikopleuridae

Appendicularia · Oikopleuridae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 2016
×1records
Depth:
0 m

Oikopleura (Vexillaria) labradoriensis

Appendicularia · Oikopleuridae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Sept 2016
×1records
Depth:
120 m

Carcharodon carcharias

White Shark
Elasmobranchii · Lamnidae
OBIS
Last seen:
4 Oct 2015
×1records
Depth:
15 m

Carcharias taurus

Elasmobranchii · Odontaspididae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Oct 2014
×1records

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
17 Jul 2014
×1records

Stegostoma tigrinum

Zebra Shark
Elasmobranchii · Stegostomatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
13 Mar 2014
×1records
Depth:
15 m

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
5 Nov 2012
×3records

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.

Surfboard Empire North Narrabeen Pro Junior presented by Florence

Surfing NSW

G Skate Demo Tapes: Australia

Surfboard Empire
💬 1 top comments
  • its g skate, g coming from goodall right

    @NilsenMouind · 👍 0

The History Of Narrabeen | Surfboard Empire North Narrabeen Pro Junior presented by Florence

Surfing NSW
wind peaks Oct-Sep-Nov, calmest May-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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