Snapper Rocks Surf Spot, Australia
RGQX+JW Coolangatta, Australia
Guide updated
Quick answer
Where is Snapper Rocks?
Snapper Rocks is a right-hand point break near Coolangatta in Australia. Best season: March to September (autumn to winter). Level: Advanced. GPS: -28.1609, 153.5498.
| Location | Coolangatta, Australia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | -28.1609, 153.5498 |
| Wave type | Point break |
| Direction | Right-hand |
| Wave quality | World-class |
| Best season | March to September (autumn to winter) |
| Tide | All tides; best on a pushing tide |
| Consistency | Very consistent on swell |
| Skill level | Advanced |
| Crowds | Very crowded when it is on, with a strong local crew and pros in the water |
About This Break
Snapper Rocks is a right-hand point break at Coolangatta on Queensland's southern Gold Coast, right on the New South Wales border. It is the start of the Superbank, the sand-bottom point that can link Snapper, Rainbow Bay, Greenmount and Kirra into one very long right.
The best months are March to September, when cyclone and east swells hit the coast. It works at all tides, best on a pushing tide, and needs the sand to be in the right place, which changes year to year. When it lines up it is fast and hollow off the rocks, then runs down the bay.
It is an advanced wave with one of the most crowded lineups in Australia. Jumping off the rocks at Snapper needs timing. It has long been a stop on the pro tour, and the local crew is strong.
Coolangatta, Rainbow Bay and Kirra have apartments, units and houses within walking distance of the point, with Gold Coast Airport a short drive away. That makes the southern Gold Coast one of the most practical surf bases in the country.
Local Knowledge
Rocks at the jump-off and a strong current running down the point, so time your entry. The lineup is very crowded, with a strong local crew; respect priority and do not drop in.
Snapper Rocks (Superbank): Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Superbank on the Gold Coast?
The Superbank runs from Snapper Rocks at Coolangatta, on the Queensland–New South Wales border, through Rainbow Bay and Greenmount towards Kirra.
Is Snapper Rocks good for beginners?
No. It is a fast, crowded point for advanced surfers. Beginners on the southern Gold Coast are better off at Greenmount or Coolangatta on small days.
What is the Superbank?
The Superbank is the long sand bank that runs from Snapper Rocks past Rainbow Bay and Greenmount to Coolangatta on the southern Gold Coast. It formed after the Tweed River sand bypassing scheme began pumping sand north of the river mouth in the early 2000s, and on its day it links into right-handers that can run for well over a kilometre.
When is the Superbank at its best?
Late summer and autumn, roughly February to May, when cyclone swells and east-to-south-east groundswell wrap around Snapper Rocks. It is one of the most crowded waves in the world and has long hosted the WSL Championship Tour's Gold Coast event.
Can you buy property near Snapper Rocks?
Nothing is listed within 15 km of Snapper Rocks right now, but there is 1 property for sale elsewhere in Australia on International Surf Properties.
Surf property for sale in Australia
