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The Gold Coast is famous for having some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia and perfect weather pretty much all year round. This guide details 17 of the best Gold Coast beaches and swimming holes. I’ve been living on the Gold Coast for over 10 years and I’m so excited to share all these awesome swimming spots with you.
These are all great beaches for swimming throughout the year, in winter the water can get a little cold but still so beautiful. I think in winter the water is even clearer & cleaner as we have less rain. I’ll start from the Southern end of the Gold Coast because in my option these are by far the most beautiful beaches on the Coast.
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Best Southern Gold Coast Beaches
Coolangatta (Greenmount)
Coolangatta or Cooly as the locals say is the heart and soul of southern Gold Coast. The main beach here is called Greenmount and it’s absolutely amazing. Some days the water is so blue & clear I have to pinch myself that I actually live here. It’s by far one of the very best beaches on the Gold Coast.
Greenmount Beach is patrolled by lifeguards 7 days a week and there is plenty of free parking close by.
If you want to learn to surf, Greenmount is a great beach to start on. Most experienced surfers will be around the corner at Snapper Rockers so it’s much safer here if you’re a beginner.
Walk on Water is a popular company offering Surf lessons to beginners in Coolangatta. Click here for prices & availability with Walk on Water Surf Lessons.
Coolangatta also has an awesome arts & craft market along the beachfront, on the second Sunday of the month.
Rainbow Bay Beach
Rainbow Bay is only a short walk around the corner from Coolangatta. This Gold Coast beach is another beauty and a very safe place to swim and is also patrolled by lifeguards 7 days a week.
Rainbow Bay beach is north facing and being curved there is always somewhere to sit that’s protected from any elements.
And, while you’re there I definitely recommend having a meal at the Surf Club. This is the most southern surf club on the Gold Coast. And, you’ll get incredible ocean views from any of the tables on the balcony.
Rainbow Bay Surf Life Saving Club
Another reason this beach is so amazing is the lawn behind the beach that is perfect for a picnic. There are a playground, BBQs and bathroom facilities.
Snapper Rocks & The Keyhole
Adjacent to Rainbow Bay is Snapper Rocker, which is a world-famous surf break but also a beautiful spot for swimming and sunbaking. It can be hard to get a car park right in front of this beach but there is plenty of free parking elsewhere that’ll only be a short walk away.
My favorite part about Snapper Rocks is the Keyhole. A lot of people don’t even know the keyhole is there because unfortunately, it isn’t always visible! After a big swell, a large amount of sand needs to be washed out, leaving a big rock pool (in the shape of a keyhole) and it’s the most perfect place to swim. (check out the photo above)
Froggies Beach
Froggies is a name given by locals and is another spot that can change depending on the swell and how much sand is on the beach. If you follow the path around the bend past Rainbow and snapper you’ll be at this gorgeous little beach, that’s always pretty quiet and protected from the wind.
Swimming at Froggies Beach can be dangerous at times depending on how big the waves are, and this beach isn’t patrolled. But there is a small man-made rock pool that can be fun to sit in while the waves crash into the side.
There aren’t any bathroom facilities or restaurants at Froggies Beach, but rainbow Bay is only a few minutes away.
Duranbah Beach
Duranbah Beach (or D-bah) is technically in New South Whales but literally right on the QLD/NSW border, so I thought I would sneak it onto the list.
This beach always seems to have good swell so it’s perfect if you’re into surfing. And, if you’re keen on sunbaking Duranbah Beach is even better because the surf is so good everyone will be out there and you may have the beach all to yourself. It’s such a beautiful & relaxing area.
Make sure you also check out Danger Point, follow the path behind the beach, up the hill to one of the most stunning lookouts on the Gold Coast. Whenever I’m up there during Whale season I always see at least a few splashes. Danger Point is also the perfect place for a picnic & wine at sunset.
Kirra Beach
Beautiful Kirra is on the north side of Coolangatta and in the coming years will become even busier with multiple high risers under construction 😢
But that will never change Kirra beach being pristine & one of the best Gold Coast Beaches. Kirra is another beach on the Southern end of the Gold Coast that is very popular with locals. It’s a safe place to swim for people of all ages and there’s also a lot of surf. If it’s a day with low winds Kirra can be absolutely perfect. There’s also a sandbank towards the southern end of the beach and depending on the tide this can create a big swimming hole protected from the waves.
Kirra Beach is patrolled by lifeguards, 7 days a week from November – April.
If you want to give surf lessons a try, click here to book with Go Ride A Wave.
Currumbin Beach
Currumbin Beach is an absolute stunner and regularly voted Queensland cleanest beach. There aren’t as many hotels in Currumbin compared with suburbs like Coolangatta and Kirra. So this area is more popular with locals but I still highly recommend visiting. The beach is gorgeous, with plenty of parking and bathroom facilities. And, also at the end of the beach is Currumbin’s Vikings Surf Live Saving Club. The meals here are really good and most of the tables there have stunning views of the beach and the northern end of the coastline.
Currumbin Beach is patrolled year-round, 7 days a week by the Currumbin Beach Life Saving Club.
Currumbin Creek
Where the Creek meets the ocean there are so many small beaches, and with calm water, this area is partially good for families. This inlet is just behind the Palm Beach Pirate Park. The Pirate Park is a kid’s playground, and, there’s plenty of free parking, bathroom facilities & a cafe close by.
The Currumbin Creek is a great place to swim and also one side of the creek is an off-leash dog area. If you’re not in the mood for waves, this area is perfect to swim around in the calm clear water or bring down a Stand-Up Paddle Board or pool floaty.
If you want to hire a Stand-Up Paddleboard or need lessons, I recommend driving a little bit further down the street to The BoatShed.
Currumbin Rockpools
If you need a little break from the sand and saltwater, definitely check out the Currumbin Rockpools. From Currumbin beach drive along Currumbin creek road for about 15 mins and you’ll reach the rock pools (you can’t miss them and there is plenty of car parks just off the main road).
Currumbin Rockpools are natural swimming pools in Currumbin Valley with rope swings and small waterfalls. There’s also a sheltered picnic area next to the pools. The busiest time to visit these pools is after school hours when the local kids come down for a swim.
Tallebudgera Creek
Tallebudgera Creek or often referred to as Tally by locals is another stunning Gold Coast swimming hole. I always find the water here so blue & clear. One side of the creek is Palm Beach and the other is Burleigh Heads. I love being on the Palm Beach side of the creek because the beach has such a beautiful view of Burleigh Heads National Park.
If you’re up for it there are a lot of people who jump off the bridge that runs over the creek. It’s a 5-meter jump and I wouldn’t recommend it if there aren’t any locals around who can point out the deep part of the creek.
The creek is patrolled by lifeguards from September – April and there are bathroom facilities & free parking available.
Tallebudgera Creek can get super busy during school holidays and weekends, making parking a little difficult so I always try and go during the week.
Burleigh Heads Beach
Burleigh Heads Beach is pure bliss! Well, Burleigh Heads generally is really awesome, popular with locals & tourists. But with a stunning beach, national park, and a lively bar & restaurant scene, it’s obvious why.
No matter where you’re staying on the Gold Coast, you should make it a priority to spend at least one full day in Burleigh Heads. There’s plenty of parking in town, some are free for 3 hours and closer to the shops parking will cost around $4 per hour. And, Burleigh Beach is patrolled 7 days a week, year-round.
Burleigh Beach is pretty big so even on a busy weekend there’s still plenty of space to spread out. Burleigh is classed as a World Surfing Reserve so surfers come from all over to experience this beach.
If you get hungry or thirsty during your day at the beach there’s a kiosk attached to the Burleigh Heads surf club, they do really good Acai Bowls.
Another must-do thing in Burleigh is a walk through the Burleigh Heads National Park. It’s a rare opportunity to walk through a rainforest, that has been there for millions of years and at the same time has incredible ocean views.
In the evening one of the most popular things to do in Burleigh Heads enjoys a picnic on Burleigh Hill around sunset. The view is stunning and being further up the coast your get awesome views of the Broadbeach & Surfers Paradise skyline.
Nobby Beach (Nobbys)
I don’t think I have ever heard anyone call it “Nobby Beach”, everyone just says Nobbies!
Nobbies is another fun and lively area that has an awesome bar scene, and is halfway between Coolangatta and Surfers Paradise.
When I used to live near Nobbies I’d often buy a coffee before walking up the beach, not only enjoying the ocean but also admiring the million-dollar properties that called this beach their backyard! Ah, one can dream.
Nobbies beach is patrolled 7 days a week, year-round and there is a reasonable amount of parking in front of the beach. And, while you’re there you should walk up to the North Burleigh lookout, the views of the coast are gorgeous.
Best Northern Gold Coast Beaches
Broadbeach
The further north we go the more touristy it becomes. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing but you will start seeing a lot more high-rise buildings. I love the foreshore in Broadbeach, a beautiful green lawn and lined with BBQs, picnic areas, and a couple of kid’s playgrounds. The foreshore also hosts the Broadbeach Markets on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month.
This area of the Gold Coast stunning coastline is known as one of the safest beaches on the gold coast. There are often surf lifesaving events held here and also a few beach volleyball nets set up on the beach.
The section of the beach in front of Kurrawa Surf Club is patrolled 7 days a week, year-round.
Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise is definitely the most popular area on the gold coast and where you’ll find the most hotels and tourist attractions. It is so much fun though, there is always something going on day or night. Although, compared to the southern end of the coast I wouldn’t really call Surfers relaxing.
If you’re staying at Surfers Paradise try and get a room with a balcony that has ocean views. It’s seriously the best way to wake up in the morning, seeing the sunrise over this stunning coastline. Especially if you’re staying between June and October. This is the Humpback Whale season and there’s a very good chance you’ll see whales breaching while you’re on your balcony enjoying your morning coffee.
Surfers Paradise also has beachfront markets, they are set up along the foreshore and open every Friday and Saturday night.
I have a little bit of a love-hate relationship with surfers Paradise main beach, it’s definitely beautiful but I wouldn’t recommend visiting in the afternoon. With so many high-rise buildings and the sun setting behind them, the beach is left with massive shadows cast over it. And, then I just get too cold to stay.
The beach is patrolled 7 days a week, year-round.
Southport Broadwater Parklands (GC Aqua Park)
Broadwater Parklands is a nice change of pace from the surf beaches, the water is very protected here so super calm. This area is perfect for large gatherings, there’s plenty of picnic areas with BBQs, kids playground, and bathroom facilities. In front of the park, there is a large swimming enclosure that has a permanent jumping pontoon.
My favorite part about this area is the GC Aqua Park. It doesn’t matter how old you are, this is so much fun. The park opens from September each year and will have you slipping & sliding along a blown-up obstacle course on the water. Picture jumping castles at sea 😆
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The Spit
The Spit in Main Beach is the northernmost section of the coastline. To get there you’ll drive to the end of Seaworld Drive. The spit is most popular for surfing, fishing, and dog walking.
There is free parking available along The Spit but just check the sign because most spots aren’t free all day. And, lifeguards do patrol this beach but only at certain times of the year.
I always like to stick to the western side of the bay as it’s quieter and the water is very calm there. I highly recommend Peters Fish Market (not that I eat fish anymore), to get some food to take away and set up a picnic on the beach.
Paradise Point Parklands
Paradise Point Parklands is such a nice place to relax and unwind. Located 20 minutes north of surfers Paradise and opposite South Stradbroke Island. This isn’t a touristy area but it’s still so beautiful and has really good cafés very close to the water.
This is one of the most underrated parks on the Gold Coast, perfect if you’re meeting up with family or friends with a massive playground, BBQ area, and bathroom facilities.
The water here is usually very calm and clear, perfect if you’re not in the mood for waves. There is also an enclosed swimming area so it’s a very safe place to swim.
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Other Gold Coast Attractions
Best Time to Visit the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast sees stunning weather all year round. So I wouldn’t say there is a bad time to come. During winter (June-August) the mornings and evenings can get pretty cold but the days are still warm and sunny.
School Holidays are very busy, especially at the beaches and it’ll be much harder to find parking.
August – November, and March-May are my favorite time to visit the beach, there’s minimal rain so the water is pure perfection and the days can get really hot.
Then Summer is December – February, the weather can get very hot but it’s also the storm season so some weeks we can get non-stop rain.
Whale Season
But regardless of the weather Whale season is always one of the best times to visit the Gold Coast. Humpback Whales migrate up the coast and at times they come so close you’ll see them really clearly from the beach.
If you want to potentially see the Whales even closer I would recommend booking a Whale Watching tour. It’s amazing how close the whales can swim to the boat, checking you out as they swim by. There are a number of rules and regulations in place in Australia for Whale Watching companies to follow, to ensure the Whale’s wellbeing is the top priority. Including not approach the whales with one 100m and never travel or wait in front of where they’re traveling. But once the boat has come to a stop it is possible for the Whales to choose to swim closer to the boat, and those experiences are so amazing.
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I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my list of the best Gold Coast beaches, there’re so many good places for swimming along the coast whether you’re into crashing waves or calm Rockpools & inlets. I seriously love it here and I’m sure you will too.
Thanks for reading,
Happy Travels
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Elyse is the author & content creator behind A World To Live. After traveling to over 40 countries, she has a passion for discovering new places. Elyse is a money-conscious traveller who loves writing independent travel guides to help her readers get the most out of their travels.
All beaches are beautiful, except ones that are surrounded by high rise buildings. It’s a shane that Kirra Beach will be ruined by these being built. I would love to visit Burlieght Heads Beach to sit and watch the surfers.
Yeah you definitely won’t like Surfers Paradise then, especially in the afternoon with all the shadows. Burleigh is amazing, such a beautiful spot
I love this highlight of Gold Coast beaches that are enjoyable all year round! Here in New England that’s definitely hard to find. I would definitely love to plan my trip around Whale season though!
Yes definitely! Hope you can come down under soon
When we finally get to plan a visit to the Gold Coast, we would definitely want to have lots of beaches on our plan. It looks like there are a lot of beaches to check out so we might be awhile. I would go for the stretches of sand and the views. But timing it to see whales would be spectacular.
Yes for sure, there are so many beautiful options. Fingers crossed our borders open soon
Oh I loved this post so much! I backpacked down this coast in 2009 and it’s bought back floods of memories! I can’t imagine a better place to grow up than on the east coast of Australia! No wonder you’re all so beautiful and healthy!
Thank you so much, haha yes it is so beautiful here. You’ll have to come back
So many great beaches at the gold coast, where you can swim year round. Here in the Netherlands we have a lot of great beaches, but I wouldn’t swim at them year round. My son loves the aqua parks, so would have to visit the GC aqua park.
All of these beaches look so pretty! And so helpful to know which ones have life guards and free parking!
It has been AGES since I actually went swimming at a beach. All the ones that I have visited recently just weren’t good for it. Either the beach was too rough or the currents were dangerous. So, lists like this one are really helpful! These beaches look just perfect.
Yeah I know what you mean, swimming isn’t always a great idea. Glad you found this list helpful, definitely amazing places to swim here
I can’t wait to finally make it to Australia! It’s a country that always surprises, at least in photos. I hope to make it to the Gold Coast someday soon — especially Tallebudgera Creek, Burleigh Heads & the Keyhole 🇦🇺
Oh awesome, we’d love to have you Shelley
I’ll definitely be using this guide for when I visit Australia! These beaches all look and sound amazing – that water is so clear!
Thank you so much Krista, glad you find it helpful