Catching a wave is one of those must-do experiences in Noosa, whether you’re a complete novice or a world champion. When you ride Noosa’s waves, you’ll be surfing into a globally recognised World Surfing Reserve which simply means that Noosa is not only home to some of the world’s most beautiful surf, the Noosa community also knows how to look after it!
The 4km of stunning point and beach breaks from north Sunshine Beach, around the Noosa National Park headland and to the Noosa River mouth make up the 10thWorld Surfing Reserve, a program of the international Save the Waves organisation which identifies, designates and preserves outstanding waves, surf zones and surrounding environments around the world. The program recognises and protects the important environmental, cultural, economic and community attributes of surfing areas.
Noosa’s laidback vibe and beautiful beaches have been a mecca to surfers for decades, and now, as one of Australia’s iconic surf towns, the community’s care for the surfing environment has ensured visitors will have access to crystal clear surfing waves for years to come.
From the safe, calm waters of Main Beach where surfing schools have learners standing up in no time, to the long breaks around the National Park and faster waves from Sunshine to Peregian beaches, there's a wave for every style. With more than a dozen beaches, bays and hidden coves, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to sinking your toes in the sand in Noosa
Here’s the run-down on Noosa’s best waves:
Walk the coastal track through the Noosa National Park and discover the pristine white sandy beaches of Tea Tree Bay, Granite Bay and Alexandria Bay – favourite launching pads for surfers wanting to ride the long point breaks at Nationals.
One of the few beaches along Australia’s east coast that faces north, making it a calm bay for safe swimming and surfing, Noosa Main Beach is famous for its sheltered water protected by the Noosa National Park Headland.
First Point is the scene of plenty of surfing action – within easy reach of surfers or if you just want to check out the surfing action.
Nearby Noosa Groyne, at the rock wall, is your go-to beach for learning to surf – hook up with one of the local surfing schools there every day or BYO board and practise, practise, practise!
North Sunshine Beach is flanked by the southern side of Lions Heads and the Noosa National Park headland, and the 3km sandy stretch of Sunshine Beach which opens up to miles and miles of Noosa’s eastern beaches.
Noosa has been named the 10th World Surfing Reserve – tell us what this means.
Officially, the World Surfing Reserve program identifies, designates and preserves outstanding waves, surf zones and surrounding environments around the world, recognising the key environmental, cultural, economic and community attributes of surfing areas.
This status recognises Noosa’s five famous point breaks from the Noosa River mouth to the northern end of Sunshine Beach, including all of Noosa’s iconic point breaks in and around the Noosa National Park.
To me it’s about looking after our beautiful coastline waves and point breaks. As a surfer, I know that development changes how the wind blows and how the water flows around the coastline which ultimately changes the waves. Thankfully, Noosa is protected, keeping it clean and simple and how it should be, with the waves breaking the same as they have for the past 50 years in Noosa.
Noosa is one of the most beautiful places to surf – looking to the left at Laguna Bay and then across to Noosa North Shore with its open beaches and huge sand dunes right up to Double Island Point with its lighthouse, it’s just so untouched. To the right there is the beautiful National Park with trees to the waterline. It’s just so special. As a professional surfer I go to some amazing locations such as the Maldives, Indonesia and Europe but when I come home I just feel lucky.
Locals talk about surfing the points – can you share with us, what they are?
Our waves break pretty consistently in the same speed and line on our points – with our long rocky points and sandy bottoms, especially for longboarders, it’s the ultimate wave. It breaks for 100 metres – and in shallow waters with a sandy bottom and they are just so clear.
They truly are some of the best longboard waves in the world. Some surfers from around the world have never had the opportunity to surf a point break and we have it in our own backyard.
The five points are from Noosa Main Beach, First Point, and this is my favourite. It’s where I won my first professional contest, where I met my wife and where we married.
On top of that, the waves are just wonderful. Then we head to Little Cove before entering the National Park where we have Boiling Pot and Tea Tree Bay, which offer more amazing waves and a great beach, and then Granite Bay.
Where is your number one go-to surf break?
Depending on the surf, our open beaches get some amazing waves from Peregian to Sunshine Beach, and all the points are amazing. If all the points are good you will always see me at First Point.
Noosa is surrounded by water from the ocean, river, everglades and lakes – do you have a favourite place to swim when you are not surfing?
Surfing truly is my life and my family’s life, it’s what we love and what we do. If I’m not surfing I am playing golf and we have some of the best courses – you can find me at Noosa Springs Golf Course pretty regularly!
