Gold Coast Beaches
Some of the most famous surfing beaches in the world are on the Gold Coast, but ocean beaches are not just for skilled surfers, many of us ordinary people like to duck under a wave or body surf for a few metres.
Experienced surfers or body boarders don’t really need our opinion on whether one beach is better than another – the reality is that the status varies with local conditions. Anywhere in the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve (Burleigh Heads to Snapper Rocks) can be “the best” on any given day.
But we can offer our opinion on the best beaches for people who just want to have a pleasant dip in the ocean.
A word of caution to everyone – always (yes, ALWAYS) swim or surf at a beach which has a lifeguard service, and if you aren’t an experienced and capable surfboard or body board rider, swim between the red and yellow flags.
No flags = No swim
If something does go wrong, even the best surfers may need the assistance of people with life saving equipment and with training to deal with trauma!
Here’s the Gold Coast surf beaches listed from south to north:
Beach Surf Club Flag Areas
| Beach | Surf Club | Flag Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Bay | Rainbow Bay Surf Life Saving Club | 1 |
| Greenmount | Greenmount Beach Club | 1 |
| Coolangatta | The Surf Club Coolangatta | 1 |
| Kirra | Kirra Surf Life Saving Club | 1 |
| North Kirra | North Kirra Surf Life Saving Club | 1 |
| Bilinga | Bilinga Surf Lifesaving Club | 1 |
| Tugun | Tugun Surf Life Saving Club | 1 |
| Flat Rock | Unpatrolled | None |
| Currumbin | Currumbin Surf Life Saving Club | 1 |
| Currumbin Alley | Nearest Surf Club is Currumbin | 1 |
| Currumbin Lagoon | Served by the Alley Patrol | 1 |
| Palm Beach | Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club | 1 |
| North Palm Beach | Pacific Surf Lifesaving Club | 1 |
| Tallebudgera | Tallebudgera Surf Life Saving Club | 1 |
| Tallebudgera Creek Lagoon | Use Tallebudgera Surf Club | 1 |
| Burleigh Heads | Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park Surf Club | 1 |
| North Burleigh | North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Club | 1 |
| Miami | Miami Beach Surf Life Saving Club | 1 |
| Nobby Beach | Nobby’s Beach Surf Lifesaving Club | 1 |
| Mermaid Beach | Mermaid Beach Surf Club | 1 |
| Broadbeach (Kurrawa) | Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club | 3 |
| Broadbeach North | Broadbeach Surf Club (no dining) | 1 |
| Northcliffe | BMD Northcliffe Surf Club | 1 |
| Surfers Paradise | Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club | 5 |
| Narrowneck Beach | Patrol at Breaker Street | 1 |
| Main Beach | Southport Surf Club Life Saving Club | 1 |
| The Spit | Three patrolled areas | 3 |
| Southport Broadwater Parklands | Broadwater Parklands | 2 |
| South Stradbroke Island | Unpatrolled | None |
Making our own analysis based on scenic beauty, beach and surf conditions and local facilities, here is our “top 6” beaches for inexperienced beach goers, or people with little ones.
- Burleigh Heads Beach
- Tallebudgera Lagoon
- Rainbow Bay Beach
- Southport Broadwater Parklands
- Currumbin Beach
- Greenmount Beach
There are also nice swimming areas south of the QLD/NSW border, including:
- Duranbah Beach
- Little D’bah Beach
- McMahon’s Beach (still water – Tweed River)
- Fingal Beach
- Kingscliff Beach
- Cabarita Beach
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