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Surfer catching a wave at Bundall, QLD, showcasing skills and thrills in vibrant ocean waters.
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Surfing

3.6 — based on 21 community signals
4.2 12 species 24 contributors

Year-round surf spot near Transit Hill in Lord Howe Island Group World Heritage Area, Australia. Protected marine environment with consistent waves.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · Lord Howe Island Group World H… updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
MPAShore entryFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendly

At a glance

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

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Map

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Surfing location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
13.1 kn
Wave
2.72 m
Water
19.4°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: E (25%)
Now: WSW (241°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.5m

Next: High at 01:00 (+0.52m)

+1.1 m0 m-0.4 m
▲ 01:00 · +0.52m ▼ 07:00 · +0.05m ▲ 14:00 · +0.83m ▼ 20:00 · +0.15m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV6 · high Air PM2.515 · moderate 05:47 17:47
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 16.7 2.72 6 0mm
09-20 13.4 2.44 7 0mm
09-21 17.2 2.7 7 0mm
09-22 20.5 2.82 4 0mm
09-23 21.1 3.28 7 1mm
09-24 19.5 2.84 7 1mm
09-25 16.7 1.88 6 0mm

About this spot

Lord Howe Island's surf breaks offer reliable swells throughout the year in a pristine World Heritage setting. Transit Hill sits within the Lord Howe Island Group World Heritage Area, one of Australia's most protected marine environments. The island's exposure to Southern Ocean swells creates consistent wave patterns ideal for surfers seeking uncrowded, clean waters. Access requires planning—Lord Howe Island is remote and has limited visitor numbers by design to preserve the ecosystem. The area supports 12 recorded species observations, indicating rich marine biodiversity that makes the surrounding waters exceptional for both surfing and marine observation. Community-generated video content shows the variety of conditions available throughout the year. The World Heritage protection means the spot operates within strict environmental guidelines that preserve water quality and marine habitat. Surfers should expect a year-round season with variable conditions depending on Southern Hemisphere swell patterns. The island's isolation means consistent, uncrowded waves and minimal development pressure. Plan trips well in advance due to island access restrictions and accommodation limits.

📖 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

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 · 46%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 17240km · ~3965kg · €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

When is the best time to surf near Transit Hill?

Year-round consistency makes any season viable. Southern Ocean swells typically peak during autumn and winter (March–August in the Southern Hemisphere), but summer months still deliver rideable conditions.

What skill level is required?

Difficulty ratings are not documented for this break. Consult local knowledge and community videos before planning your trip. Isolated location demands solid ocean awareness and self-sufficiency.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species have been recorded in the Lord Howe Island Group. The World Heritage Area designation protects critical habitat. Observe all marine life from a distance and follow local guidelines.

How do I access the break?

Lord Howe Island has strict visitor caps to maintain conservation. Flights arrive from Brisbane or Sydney. Book accommodation and travel well ahead—the island limits daily arrivals. Check current access requirements before planning.

Operators near this spot

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

Dive Lord Howe

2.4 km
5.0 (124 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 37+ times this month
Hours: Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

88 records · 50 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Carcharhinus galapagensis

Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×12records

Tambja morosa

Gastropoda · Polyceridae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×4records

Aplysia argus

Gastropoda · Aplysiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×4records

Echinometra mathaei

Echinoidea · Echinometridae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×4records

Leptograpsus variegatus

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×3records

Euplica scripta

Gastropoda · Columbellidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×3records

Nerita melanotragus

Gastropoda · Neritidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×2records

Agnewia tritoniformis

Gastropoda · Muricidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×2records

Turbo cepoides

Gastropoda · Turbinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×2records

Calcinus imperialis

Malacostraca · Diogenidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×2records

Calcinus minutus

Malacostraca · Diogenidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×2records

Centrostephanus rodgersii

Echinoidea · Diadematidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 2026
×2records

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.

EPIC AUSTRALIAN SURFING ROAD TRIP | PERFECT WAVES, VAN LIFE, FISH, WHALES + MORE

Kale Brock (Kale Brock)
💬 3 top comments
  • Thanks to everybody who enjoyed the clip! Please check out our featured music artists as well :) Featured music by Koastle - open.spotify.com/artist/3AqRITBdB7bKbE7aNOVx6g?si=… And Declan Ryan - open.spotify.com/artist/4uhtAOY9Y8fEbAuUUQMhrG

    @KalesBroccoli · 👍 2
  • This channel should be called #thegreatresignation!

    @TheWorldofBlinky · 👍 1
  • Thanks heaps Kale for sharing my song "Where the Sea Ends"!

    @declanryan1418 · 👍 20

Everything you NEED to Know for Surfing East Australia... (In 10 Minutes...)

Dan Harmon
💬 3 top comments
  • Very accurate. The lesser name spots, beach breaks and early morning are a pretty good way to go. Your shark mentions are spot on. For context in Queensland, zero fatalities on surfers on the Sunny Coast and just one on the Gold Coast in my 60 plus years (Greenmount 2020s). One white shark victim on Moreton Island around 1995 and a leg bitten off at North Straddie about 1972.

    @phoarey · 👍 2
  • Very informative video! Thank you

    @aljodomo · 👍 0
  • As an Ozzie surfer, you got that pretty right. Congrats. Shark tip... noahs are hard to see on cloudy afternoon days on remote beaches, take a friend with you.

    @OracleABC · 👍 0

Out Front: Gold Coast

Surfline
💬 3 top comments
  • Perfectly captured the Chaos and Stunning Beauty of the Gold Coast Amazing Footage!

    @Pullyaheadin92 · 👍 9
  • What footage was that at 3:53 ? The guy found the perfect position and angle to film the entire barrel. It's a shame they cut off the very end. A work of art, more impressive than the barrel itself. All the footage is awesome. Congratulations.

    @Seventysongs · 👍 0
  • Great vid. What a swell

    @Si-zz7ul · 👍 0
wind peaks Jul-Oct-May, calmest Dec-Jan-Feb, 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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