Summary
Here is Australia’s best kept secret. Tasmania is an amazing place to discover for any lover of the great outdoors. This island stands about 500 km south of Melbourne and offers a perfect mix of hiking and surfing. Some even say Australia’s best waves are in Tasmania.
To find the best surfing destination for you, try our WaveFinder search engine!
Far from the crowds of Bells Beach or Gold Coast, this Australian state has some insane surfing opportunities…
Shipstern Bluff certainly is one of them and it became popular after Red Bull’s Cape Fear event which gave the spot a reputation for being one of the meanest waves on the planet. On top of being super heavy, it tends to double up creating an air bubble that leads to an insane airdrop.
Luckily, not all waves in Tasmania are as tricky as Shipstern. Even beginners will find their way in the line up at spots like Park Beach or Clifton Beach. The water here is fairly colder than on the mainland making use of a wet suit almost a necessity. Most of the surf is on the east coast from Hobart all the way up to the northeastern tip of the island.
When to go
The best time to surf in Tasmania depends on what kind of conditions you are looking for. Winter offers bigger and more consistent swells while summer has more enjoyable weather and beginner-friendly waves.
| January-February | March-April | May-June | July-August | September-October | November-December | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suitable for: | Intermediate Advanced | Intermediate Advanced | Intermediate Advanced | Intermediate Advanced | Intermediate Advanced | Intermediate Advanced |
| Air temperature | 18°C 64°F | 15°C 59°F | 10°C 50°F | 9°C 48°F | 12°C 54°F | 15°C 59°F |
| Water temperature | 16°C 61°F | 15°C 59°F | 14°C 57°F | 12°C 54°F | 10°C 50°F | 14°C 57°F |
| Crowd | Few people | Few people | Empty | Empty | Empty | Few people |
| Swell consistency | 95% | 97% | 100% | 100% | 98% | 95% |
| Swell height | 10ft | 12ft | 12ft | 12ft | 12ft | 10ft |
Getting there
Being its own separate island, Tasmania might be a bit trickier to access than most Australian cities. However, the best way to get to Tasmania is a quick flight into Hobart or taking the ferry from Melbourne to Devonport.
Surf spots in Tasmania
Shipstern Bluff
Shipstern Bluff is a reputable big wave surfing spot located on the southeastern end of Tasmania. On a good day, Shipstern turns into a heavy slab that breaks boards and bones.
Wave direction : Right
Bottom : Reef
Best tide : High
Skill level : Expert
Optimal swell direction : SW
Optimal wind direction : N