The Sickest Gold Coast Surf Breaks

The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and the Roxy Pro Gold Coast are currently happening on, you guessed it, the Gold Coast. A whole gaggle of fearless professional wax heads are riding the sickest Gold Coast surf breaks as we speak, and they’re making it look way easier than it actually is.

As we watch with jaws on the floor, the likes of Griffin Colapinto, Mick Fanning and Malia Manuel are donning fluoro rash vests and floating, flying and carving their way through waves at the hallowed Superbank. And if it’s not giving you itchy feet then “go back to the alley, maaaaan.”

If you’re in the same boat and you’re dying to get out there, check out our guide to the best Gold Coast surf breaks, and just get out there … bra.

Note: As you read on, if you aren’t already aware, a Shaka is a Hawaiian hand symbol basically meaning ‘hang loose’.

Burleigh Heads

In 1977, this famous surf break (and the number one Gold Coast break before the introduction of the Superbank) held the first man-on-man surf competition, changing the surfing scene forever and paving the way for today’s World Surfing League competitive setup.

The wave itself incorporates thick lips and faces made for big turns. It runs from a deep take off section called Sharkies, through the hectic (in a good way) Cove, through Rockies and the rest of Burleigh point, and finishes at the Burleigh beachie.

Burleigh Heads scores 9/10 shakas

The Superbank

Sucky, heaving, spitting and running – a precarious bunch of adjectives that, out of context, paint a potentially disturbing picture – but when it comes to describing waves, that’s what you want. And that’s what the Superbank can deliver.

Home to the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro, the stretch of Coolangatta sand and rock is comprised of four main breaks that start at Snapper Rocks and run down through Rainbow Bay, Greenmount and Kirra. On a good day, the waves are long, fast and hollow thanks to sand that has been pumped in since 2001. The original solution was to prevent erosion on Gold Coast beaches, but it resulted in one of the world’s most perfect waves. No complaints here!

Keep an eye out for ex-world champions, Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning, when you’re surfing here. They’re the hometown heroes and can be seen running the show when the waves are on … you’ll also have to dodge the million other people trying to snag their once-in-a-lifetime wave, but that’s all part of the challenge.

The Superbank scores 10/10 shakas (if you can snag a wave)

Duranbah

Known affectionately as D-Bah, Duranbah Beach sits on the north side of the Tweed River, which means it’s actually part of New South Wales. Another beneficiary of a manmade structure, this small beach has a river mouth jetty that creates D-Bah’s signature wedges and punchy peaks.

On its day, D-Bah has the best beach breaks you’ll probably ever surf.

D-Bah scores 8/10 shakas

Currumbin Alley

The Alley sits at the mouth of Currumbin Creek and is a great spot for those looking to take a longboard for a spin on a classic right-hander. This long and cruisey wave gently peels for a few hundred metres making it a safe and easy place to learn to surf.

Check out Surfing Services Australia for all ages surf lessons.

Currumbin Alley scores 7/10 shakas

words by niall roeder