Noosa is home to one of Australia’s only north facing beaches. Main Beach is popular for its year-round gentle waves and safe swimming. Learn-to-surf schools choose the protected waters along the beach and local fishing enthusiasts cast their lines near the mouth of the Noosa River.

Noosa National Park is a popular place with swimmers and surfers, who go by foot to the bays and coves of the rocky headland. Further around the headland, Alexandria Bay is a beautiful, quiet sandy beach accessible only by foot through the Noosa National Park. All beaches and coves in the National Park are unpatrolled and swimming should be approached with caution.

Catch a wave

Sunshine Beach, which extends 15 kilometres south from the Noosa headland, is renowned for its uncrowded beach breaks and catches most of the southerly swells heading up the coast.

Local surfers favour spots around the headland of the National Park, but they know that in certain conditions the waves tend to get larger and unsuitable for inexperienced surfers. First Point has a perfect long-board break that, on a small to medium sized swell, dishes up long, peeling waves. Further round the headland, the National Park offers a variety of protected coves known for great surfing in the right conditions.

Those learning to surf are encouraged to find a good surf school, most of which operate on Main Beach between the rock groynes.

Safe swimming

The safest place to swim in the ocean is always between the flags. Surf lifesavers are on patrol at Sunshine Beach, Peregian Beach and Noosa Main Beach.