Surfing in South Australia

This entire coastline offers quality waves for the travelling surfer, with a coastline facing the pacific and southern oceans. The west coast offers some of the more well known epic waves of the state and the mighty swells spiralling across on the roaring 40’s will ensure that there is no shortage of waves, in fact, you will often be waiting for the conditions to back off just a little especially throughout winter, but when it all comes together, you’re in for a world-class treat.

The Southern Ocean tears across the steep cliffs of the Nullabor to the west, unloading energy onto rare and isolated points such as Cactus before detonating along the desolate Eyre Peninsula. Sharky but rewarding and definitely a place to score empty uncrowded waves. The remainder of the peninsulas tends to lie in the shadow of the Eyre to the west and hence sees limited groundswell. Summer wind swell madness is the norm around Adelaide. Kangaroo Island lies well to the south and receives plenty of swell. The western points are really well off the surfing radar of most travellers which is pretty much the way the locals would like to see it stay. Don’t let that discourage you though. There are some real gems here. Go off the beaten track and you will find!

South of Adelaide towards the Victorian coast, options open up once again with the full force of the Southern Ocean again pounding the coast. There are a lot of beaches here but a long way between towns. Take plenty of water with you when you travel.

There are good waves year-round in South Australia, but autumn (Mar-May) and winter (Jun – Aug) stand out for having more consistent and large surf. This is thanks to an increase in the intensity of low-pressure systems moving through the Southern Ocean at this time of year. Strong sea breezes are a feature from late spring (Nov) until early autumn (Mar), so mornings are often the best time to surf in most locations.