Surfers Paradise / Northcliffe Beach
Surfers Paradise or 'Surfers' is known for its iconic sand, sun and surfing lifestyle. From Northcliffe to Narrowneck, this stretch of Gold Coast beach is a famous tourist destination.
Swimming
Surfers Paradise Beach has 6 patrolled lifeguard towers:
- Wharf Road
Patrolled by lifeguards between 8am and 5pm, every day all year round
- Thornton Street and Garfield Terrace at Northcliffe Surf Life Saving Club
Patrolled by lifeguards between 8am and 5pm, every day all year round
- Clifford Street
Patrolled by lifeguards between 8am and 5pm, every day all year round
- The Esplanade, end of Cavill Avenue
Patrolled by lifeguards between 8am and 5pm, every day all year round
- The Esplanade, end of Elkhorn Avenue
Patrolled by lifeguards between 8am and 5pm, every day all year round
Make sure you swim in the patrolled area between the red and yellow flags.
Surfing
Wave quality along this stretch can be highly variable depending on prevailing swell direction, wind, tide and sand bar formation. Surfers should always assess conditions and if in doubt, don’t paddle out. For more information, visit our Surfing page.
Facilities
To view the facilities available at this beach including accessibility features, use our interactive map.
Getting there
| Public transport |
Translink buses run along The Esplanade. The G:link light rail also runs through the main stretch of Surfers Paradise. Plan your trip using Translink's journey planner. |
| Active travel |
Walk, run or bike ride to the beach. Plan your trip using our walking and cycling maps. |
| Parking |
There is limited parking at the surf club. On-street parking is available in surrounding streets. Take note of parking signs and/or line markings before heading to the beach. |
About Surfers Paradise Beach
In 1953, the first high-rise building was constructed and paved the way for the distinctive skyline of Surfers Paradise we know today.
Renowned for its golden beaches and world-class surf breaks, Surfers Paradise hosts prestigious Surf Life Saving competitions as well as artistic, cultural and community events throughout the precinct. The foreshore is always bustling with walkers, cyclists and skateboarders. There are also beachfront markets every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings between 4pm and 9pm.
Northcliffe Beach is just south of the Surfers Paradise retail precinct, set amongst high rise residential and accommodation towers. The Northcliffe Surf Club was founded in 1947 and has a reputation for being one of the most competitive surf sports life saving clubs in the country. If you want a break from the bustle of Surfers, Northcliffe Surf Club offers a beachfront restaurant and bar.
There is a popular foreshore area in front of Surfers Paradise Beach with toilets, benches and beach showers. The oceanway runs along the Surfers section of the Gold Coast with plenty of bike parking.