Reef left · Australia North Coast · Advanced
Forecast for Tuesday 1 September
Advanced : Could work in 1h. — Best window: 6h–8h
Today's score by level (at the day's best, out of 100)
A hollow reef left in shallow water at Gnaraloo Bay, intermediate level, not for beginners. Extreme isolation (4x4 track, 2-hour drive to help in Carnarvon), sharp reef and sharks reported.
Surfable all year. Autumn (Sep-Nov) is the best season: powerful swells, water still mild, less crowd.
For experts only. Powerful waves, strong currents or technical bottom. Ask locally first.
Direct access from the beach, but mind the rocky bottom. Wetsuit + booties recommended, do not surf at low tide.
Wear an appropriate wetsuit. Scout the currents before you paddle out. Respect the locals and right-of-way. Check weather and tides.
At Gnaraloo, tide isn't a deciding factor: the spot stays surfable across most tide states. Focus on the swell and the wind instead.
Gnaraloo is rather recommended for advanced surfers. If you're a beginner, prefer a surf school, a small swell and a suitable tide, or look for a more sheltered nearby spot.
The ideal wind at Gnaraloo comes broadly from South-East: it's offshore, which helps shape and hold the waves. A strong onshore wind generally degrades conditions.
Around Gnaraloo, you can also check conditions at Uluwatu, Impossibles, Padang Padang. Compare the scores, wind and swell direction before choosing where to surf.