Kitesurfing Gold Coast: the Broadwater in summer
The Gold Coast Broadwater, around Runaway Bay and Southport, has flat water and shallow sandbanks for kitesurfing, with October to April as the best months.
Kitesurfing on the Gold Coast is in season from December to February: the local school gives October to April as the best months. Most riding happens in the Broadwater, around Runaway Bay and Southport, where flat water and shallow sandbanks suit both lessons and freestyle training.
Facts as of November 2026, from the sources listed at the end of this page.
Where can you kitesurf on the Gold Coast?
The Broadwater is the main area. It has flat water and shallow sandbanks, and the Gold Coast Kitesurfing school teaches beginners on a sandbank with a powered rescue boat on standby.
The spot known as KFC is one of the Broadwater launches. The Kite and Windsurfing Guide describes it as suited to freestyle or training, and warns that the wind is gusty at the launch, so rig with that in mind and get clear of the beach before you power up.
What is the wind like in summer?
None of the sources for this page gives a summer wind direction for the Broadwater itself. Windfinder’s Gold Coast Seaway station averages about 13 knots from the east-south-east in December and January and about 14 knots from the south-east in February, measured over the whole day. February has the highest of the three monthly means.
Can you paddle surfski on the Gold Coast?
Yes. The surfski wiki lists ocean runs on the Gold Coast, for example Snapper Rocks to Burleigh, 15 km. It gives no wind or season details for them, so ask a local club which wind direction suits each run before you go. On the Sunshine Coast, Noosa has a longer list of documented downwind runs. More on the sport: surfski.
What should you watch out for?
- The inlet has a 6-knot limit zone, so expect boats there.
- The wind at the KFC launch is gusty.
- The sandbanks are shallow. Ride with the tide in mind.
How do you get there?
Fly into Gold Coast Airport (OOL) at Bilinga. More on the sport: kitesurf.
How windy is Gold Coast from December to February?
Share of days with at least three consecutive daylight hours at 11 knots (4 Beaufort) or more, over the last 10 southern summers (2015/16 to 2024/25).
| December | January | February | Mean daylight wind | Most common direction | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadwater, Gold Coast | 52% | 53% | 61% | 10.4 kn | ESE |
Our calculation from NASA POWER hourly wind at 10 m (MERRA-2 model), 09:00 to 18:00 local solar time. The model grid is about 50 km wide, so it smooths out local sea breezes and gusts: use these figures to compare spots and months, and check a local forecast before you go.
Where do people ride at Gold Coast right now?
Explore+ in the Waterspeed web app shows recent sessions on a map, with sport and top speed, so you can see which spots are working before you go. Open Explore+. To record your own sessions, Waterspeed runs on iPhone, Android, Apple Watch and Wear OS, and syncs Garmin, COROS and Suunto.
FAQ
When is the best time for kitesurfing on the Gold Coast?
October to April, according to the Gold Coast Kitesurfing school listing.
Where do beginners learn to kitesurf on the Gold Coast?
On a sandbank in the Broadwater, with a powered rescue boat, according to the Kiteboarding Australia school listing.
Which airport serves the Gold Coast?
Gold Coast Airport (OOL), at Bilinga.
