Noosa surfski and SUP: Sunshine Coast downwind runs and the Noosa River
The Sunshine Coast has surfski downwind runs from Moffat Beach to Noosa Heads, and the Noosa River and its canals give flat water for SUP. The wind can get strong in spring and summer.
Noosa and the Sunshine Coast work for surfski and SUP from December to February. Red Paddle Co says the wind can get quite strong in spring and summer, and the coast has downwind runs to Noosa Heads. The Noosa River gives flat water for SUP. No source we found gives the usual summer wind direction, so plan each run on the day’s forecast.
Facts as of November 2026, from the sources listed at the end of this page.
Which surfski downwind runs are there on the Sunshine Coast?
The surfski wiki lists these runs:
| Run | Start | Finish | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mooloolaba to Noosa | Mooloolaba | Noosa | 38 km |
| Coolum to Noosa | Coolum | Noosa Heads | more than 20 km |
| Sunshine Beach to Coolum | Sunshine Beach | Coolum Beach | 16 km |
| Moffat Beach to Mooloolaba | Moffat Beach | Mooloolaba | 15 km |
The wiki gives no wind direction for these runs. Ask a local club which wind suits each one before you paddle it, and set up the car shuttle first.
Where can you SUP in Noosa?
On the Noosa River. The canals are flat and protected, and the surfski wiki points beginners there. From the canals you can paddle upriver to the Noosa Parade bridge, or do the Witta Circuit loop.
Red Paddle Co says a Noosa River paddle is generally suitable for all levels, as long as you take the tide and the wind into account.
What should you watch out for?
- Witta Circuit has boat traffic.
- The Maroochy River mouth has shifting sandbanks.
- Noosa has crowded surf, so keep a surfski clear of surfers when you land.
- Crocodile warnings occasionally reach as far south as the Sunshine Coast (surfski wiki).
How do you get there?
Fly into Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY). Elsewhere in Queensland, the Gold Coast has flat-water kitesurfing in the Broadwater. More on the sports: surfski and SUP.
How windy is Noosa 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noosa and the Sunshine Coast | 25% | 19% | 41% | 8.8 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 Noosa 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
What is the longest surfski run to Noosa?
Mooloolaba to Noosa, 38 km, according to the surfski wiki.
Where can beginners SUP in Noosa?
On the Noosa River canals, which the surfski wiki lists as flat water for beginners.
Which airport serves Noosa?
Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY).
