The Surf Window

Margaret River

Western Australia, Australia

Reef breakExpert

Western Australia's premier surf destination and one of the world's great reef breaks, a massive, powerful right and left that holds swell to 15ft+ and tests the world's best surfers every winter.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Size4-8ft

Wind

E

Offshore

Tide

Mid to high

LowMidHigh

Season

March–September

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Both (the left is more famous)

Bottom

Sharp limestone reef

Shape

Powerful, open-face walls, hollow on the take-off, with barrel sections at size

Length

150–300m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Expert
  • •Why: Massive, powerful waves over a vicious limestone reef, plus sharks, remoteness, and cold water.

Hazards

  • •Sharp limestone reef throughout
  • •Shark activity, Margaret River is in a high-risk zone for white sharks
  • •Strong current
  • •Powerful hold-downs on bigger sets

Local Tips

  • •The WSL Margaret River Pro is held here each April, watching from the Cape Naturaliste cliffs is spectacular.
  • •A shark deterrent device is strongly recommended; many local surfers use them as standard.

Location

Map showing the location of Margaret River in Western Australia, Australia

-33.9522, 114.9997