Queensland's sea-breeze playground. Real-time wind forecasts for Queensland's Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast kitesurfing spots.
2 spots · 2-week forecast · Updated hourly
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The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast benefit from a reliable summer sea breeze cycle. Northeast winds dominate from September through March, filling in by late morning and building to 15 to 22 knots through the afternoon. The Broadwater and inland waterways get glassy flat-water conditions on the same wind. Southeast trade winds bring stronger, steadier wind (18 to 25 knots) particularly in spring (September to November). Winter (June to August) brings westerly land breezes in the morning and lighter, less reliable sea breezes in the afternoon. Cyclone season (December to March) can produce multi-day southeast blow events with 25+ knots.
The Gold Coast's primary kite launch. Sandy beach at the mouth of Currumbin Creek with side-onshore wind on northeast days. Flat water inside the creek mouth, small waves on the outside. Gets busy on good wind days. Schools operate here regularly.
A large, sheltered inland waterway between the Gold Coast and South Stradbroke Island. Flat water, sandy bottom, and consistent northeast sea breeze. The best beginner spot in the region. Multiple launch points along the western shore. Shallow enough to stand in most areas.
About 90 minutes north on the Sunshine Coast. Lake Cootharaba is a huge shallow freshwater lake with flat water and all-day sea breeze. The river mouth area near Tewantin has more current but also good flat water. A top teaching location.
Just south of the QLD border in NSW. Open ocean beach with northeast exposure and small to medium waves. Good wave kiting on bigger days. The Cudgen Creek mouth provides flatter water for freestyle.
The typical sea breeze calls for 10 to 12 m² kites, with a 9 m² for the windier trade wind days. Wingfoilers rig 5 to 6 m² in the standard breeze. Water temperature ranges from about 20 °C in winter to 27 °C in summer. Boardshorts and a rashguard work from November through March. A 3/2 wetsuit is standard in winter (June to August), and a 2 mm shorty covers the shoulder months.
Bluebottle jellyfish (Portuguese man o' war) wash in on northeast winds, especially in summer. They sting and can wrap around kite lines. Shallow sandbars shift regularly in the Broadwater and at creek mouths. Strong currents at Currumbin and river mouths on an outgoing tide. Sharks are present but incidents are rare.
The Broadwater is the most reliable flat-water spot and works on almost any northeast wind. Currumbin is the go-to for riders who want small waves. Wind tends to be strongest in the early to mid afternoon and drops off around 4 to 5pm. Check the tide at creek mouth spots as low tide can expose sandbars that change the launch area. The Gold Coast has a large kite community and multiple schools at Currumbin and the Broadwater.