Coolangatta, QLD

Home to Snapper Rocks and the Superbank — arguably the best sand-bottom wave in the world, and the southern gateway to the Gold Coast.

Live AI Coastal Briefing

Friday 28 August is shaping up to be a fantastic day here on the coast, with partly cloudy skies expected and a gentle breeze blowing in from the southwest at 10 km/h. The current temperature is a pleasant 13C, and with the clear blue skies, it's going to be a great morning to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery. The humidity is sitting at 95%, but that's not expected to dampen the spirits of our early risers.



The ocean conditions are looking particularly appealing today, with a wave height of 1.46m, which is waist to chest high, making for some solid surf. The water temperature is a comfortable 20.5C, so you can expect to see plenty of people out in the water, whether they're surfing, swimming, or just enjoying a paddle. With high tide at 08:28 am and low tide at 02:20 pm, there's plenty of opportunity to get out and enjoy the beach.



For all our sports and fitness enthusiasts, today is a great day to get out and enjoy your favourite activities. Surfers will love the conditions at Snapper Rocks and the Superbank, while runners and cyclists will appreciate the gentle breeze and scenic coastal routes. Anglers can try their luck in the waters, and paddleboarders will enjoy the calm conditions in the bays. With the low UV index, you don't need to worry about special protection, just remember to slip, slop, slap, and seek some shade if you're planning a long day outdoors.



As we head into the afternoon, the temperature is expected to rise to a pleasant 25C, with just a 20% chance of a shower. It's going to be a great day to get out and enjoy all that our beautiful coastal destination has to offer, so make the most of it and get outdoors. Whether you're swimming, surfing, or just relaxing on the beach, it's shaping up to be a fantastic day, and we hope you have a great one.

About This Coastline

Coolangatta occupies the southern end of the Gold Coast, where a chain of beaches curves around headlands close to the New South Wales border.

Its identity has developed through the constant exchange between land and sea, leaving natural and cultural features closely interwoven.

The Vibe

The atmosphere is relaxed and surf-led, with a lower skyline and more traditional holiday-town scale than central Gold Coast resorts.

Cafés, foreshore parks and long beach walks support an easy rhythm, while major swells bring focused energy to the points. The prevailing mood is determined less by organised entertainment than by the weather, water and patterns of local use.

The Local Anchor

Point Danger, overlooking the state border and the mouth of the Tweed River, is the principal landmark.

Nearby Kirra and Snapper Rocks are deeply associated with Australian surfing and international competition. The anchor remains important precisely because it is rooted in this particular coastline and cannot be transferred to another destination.

The Landscape

Coolangatta Beach is more sheltered than some north-facing Gold Coast sections, while Rainbow Bay and the points shape long, peeling waves under favourable conditions.

Headlands, rock platforms and views towards the Tweed Coast give the shoreline a distinct southern character. Viewed from shore or headland, the landscape demonstrates how quickly Australian coastal environments can move from sheltered to exposed.

This meeting of water, land and community gives Coolangatta a character that is far richer than a simple beach stop.