The Surf Window

Exmouth

Western Australia, Australia

Reef breakAdvanced

At the tip of the North West Cape on WA's Coral Coast, Exmouth sits beside Ningaloo Reef, the world's largest fringing reef, where Indian Ocean swells wrap around the cape and create reef breaks in extraordinary marine park waters.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Size–W 1.5–2.5m at 12–16s

Wind

SE

Light to E under 15 knots

Tide

Mid to high

LowMidHigh

Season

Apr–Sep

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Reef break

Bottom

Coral reef

Shape

Rights and lefts over exposed reef

Length

80–200m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Advanced surfers
  • •Why: Coral reef in a marine park requires careful navigation and reef awareness

Hazards

  • •Coral reef, booties essential in Ningaloo
  • •The reef is a protected marine park, strict rules apply
  • •Shark risk in WA waters (whale sharks and reef sharks common in Ningaloo)

Local Tips

  • •Surf on the west side of the cape, the east (Exmouth Gulf) is protected and flat
  • •Swimming with whale sharks is possible March–July, one of the world's great ocean experiences
  • •The drive up the North West Cape (Cape Range National Park) passes extraordinary red gorge and reef scenery

Location

Map showing the location of Exmouth in Western Australia, Australia

-21.9324, 114.1258