Gold Coast: Spoilt For Beaches
The Gold Coast is spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches with 21 stunning golden sand beaches from Rainbow Bay in the south to Southport Spit in the north.
You can swim, surf, paddle, fish or dive into all of these beaches to your heart’s content. Some Gold Coast beaches attract more crowds than others so my advice is to pick one of the ones that is less inhabited, like Miami or North Kirra. Plus the good thing is that most of the beaches are patrolled by surf lifesavers and are very safe.
This is a list of the patrolled beaches of the Gold Coast:
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Southport Spit
Location: End of Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Best For: Surfing in a northerly as it is protected by the Seaway
Amenities: Showers, toilets and kiosk
Other: It is an off-leash dog beach.
Surfers Paradise
Location: The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Best For: People watching
Amenities: Showers, toilets, lifeguards, surfboard hire
Other: Gold Coast’s most iconic beach
Kurrawa
Location: Old Burleigh Rd, Broadbeach adjacent to Broadbeach Mall
Best For: Swimming, surfing, beach walking, beach volleyball
Amenities: Showers, toilets, boardwalk, surf club, parklands adjacent.
Other: The location of the Australian Surf Life Saving Titles
Miami Beach
Location: Marine Parade, Miami
Best For: Swimming, surfing
Amenities: Toilets, showers, lifeguard
Other: A much less crowded beach midway along the Gold Coast strip
Burleigh Heads
Location: The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads
Best For: Safe swimming, famous surf break
Amenities: Showers, toilets, surf club, extensive parkland, viewing deck
Other: Safe beach protected by Burleigh Headland. Sit atop the headland for great views.
Currumbin
Location: Pacific Parade, Currumbin
Best For: Learning to surf, standup paddleboarding and swimming
Amenities: Showers, surf board hire, lifeguard, surf club
Other: The beach at the Currumbin Creek Estuary is very safe for learning to surf or standup paddleboard.
Kirra Beach
Location: Marine Parade, Kirra
Best For: Swimming, surfing, beach walking and exploring the rock pools
Amenities: Showers, toilets, surf club, boardwalk, pavilion and adjoining parklands
Other: Kirra Point is one of Gold Coast’s iconic surf breaks during big seas
Coolangatta
Location: Marine Parade, Coolangatta
Best For: Swimming, learning to surf and beach walking
Amenities: Toilets, showers, parklands adjoining, surf club, lifeguards and surfboard hire
Other: A great protected beach which is ideal for children and those learning to surf.
Rainbow Bay
Location: Boundary Street, Coolangatta
Best For: Swimming, surfing and relaxing
Amenities: Showers, lifeguard, surf club
Other: This lovely little sheltered bay adjoins the famous surfing break of Snapper Rocks.
It is no secret that I’m biased when it comes to selecting my favourite beach on the Gold Coast. Burleigh Heads is where I call home and I enjoy the long stretch of beach between Burleigh Heads and North Burleigh on a daily basis. I am also rather fond of sitting atop Burleigh Headland and watching surfers catch waves at this famous point break. I do live in paradise!
Wow I never realised there were so many beaches there. And I’ve only been to Coolangatta!! Great excuse for a road trip north?Your pics are very enticing
These photos are very enticing. I do love my backyard, even though it is often labelled as being too touristy and overcrowded. You just need a little local knowledge of the right beaches to go to. :)
Great list, I’ve been visiting for years and had no idea. Love the photos, happy days.
Thank you. I think a lot of visitors tend to believe the Gold Coast is about Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta, forgetting all the gorgeous beaches inbetween. There are heaps more on offer than most people think. :)
I didn’t realise there were so many beaches on the Gold Coast either. I kind of assumed it was one long beach, I don’t know why, because it’s pretty obvious that it wouldn’t be. I love the look out from Kirra Pavillion, but I think the Burleigh heads headland would be the spot I’d head to most with a picnic and a camera :)
Jo I would love to show you around the Gold Coast sometime and possibly sit on Burleigh Headland with a glass of wine at sunset to soak in the serenity! :)
We certainly are spoilt aren’t we? Haven’t been to the Coast for a while and I’m missing it. Just live that you can walk km’s along one beach at the GC. Thanks for the gorgeous pics!
I know I have to slap myself everyday and be thankful that I have a beautiful beach right across the road from where I live. It is particularly stunning very early in the morning when there are less people around. Thanks so much for your comment. :)