Port Phillip Bay and the Great Ocean Road. Real-time wind forecasts for Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road — Victoria's best kitesurfing and surfing coast.
3 spots · 2-week forecast · Updated hourly
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Melbourne's wind is driven by two forces: summer sea breezes and year-round frontal systems. From October through March, a southwest sea breeze (locally called the "Southerly") fills in most afternoons at 15 to 25 knots, triggered by the temperature contrast between the hot inland plains and the cool Southern Ocean. It typically hits the bay-side beaches (St Kilda, Brighton, Hampton) by early afternoon and strengthens through to 5 or 6pm. Cold fronts pass through year-round, bringing stronger west to southwest winds (20 to 30+ knots) ahead of and behind the front, with a wind shift as the front passes. These frontal days produce the biggest conditions on the bay and along the Great Ocean Road. Winter is colder and less consistent for sea breezes but frontal events still deliver regular wind days.
Port Phillip Bay's most accessible kite spots, 15 minutes from the CBD. Flat to small chop on the bay, sandy beach, shallow water for hundreds of meters. The southwest sea breeze hits here side-onshore. Gets crowded on good days, especially in summer. Schools operate out of both beaches.
Just south of Brighton on the bay. Slightly less crowded, same southwest sea breeze exposure. The breakwater at Sandringham creates a sheltered pocket that stays flatter than the open bay. Good for freestyle and foiling.
On the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay. Shallow, sandy bottom, consistent southwest wind exposure. Quieter than the city-side beaches and a solid flat-water option. Popular with kiters from the peninsula and southeast suburbs.
Just off the Great Ocean Road, about 90 minutes from Melbourne. Open Southern Ocean exposure with real waves and powerful shore break. Southwest wind is onshore here. For experienced wave riders only, but the conditions can be exceptional when a front lines up with swell.
The standard bay-side sea breeze (15 to 22 knots) suits 10 to 12 m² kites. For frontal days (20 to 30+ knots), 7 to 9 m² is the call. Wingfoilers rig 4 to 5 m² in the typical breeze. Water temperature in Port Phillip Bay ranges from 12 °C in winter to 20 °C in summer. A 4/3 fullsuit is standard most of the year, with a 5/4 or hooded suit for winter. Summer sessions on hot days can get away with a 3/2. Booties are recommended for the Great Ocean Road reef spots.
Port Phillip Bay can develop short, steep chop on stronger days that makes conditions rougher than the flat appearance suggests from shore. Cold fronts can swing the wind 90 degrees in minutes, so watch the sky. Water temperature is cold enough year-round that a wetsuit is not optional. The Great Ocean Road spots have powerful shore break, strong rip currents, and reef. Sharks are present in both the bay and along the coast. Blue-ringed octopus live in the rock pools near reef spots.
The sea breeze on Port Phillip Bay is remarkably predictable in summer: if the forecast shows 25+ °C inland and southwest wind after noon, it will almost certainly fill in. St Kilda and Brighton are the easiest access points but get packed on good days. Hampton and Sandringham are worth the extra 10 minutes for fewer riders on the water. If you want waves, check the Great Ocean Road on a frontal day when swell and wind align. Melbourne's kite community is one of the biggest in Australia, with active clubs, group sessions, and events through summer.
World-famous surf break just south of Torquay. Primarily a surf spot, but wave kiters ride here on the right days. Powerful swell, reef bottom, and a serious crowd of surfers. Know what you are doing before kiting at Bells.