Main Beach
Beach closed
Due to severe erosion and sand scarps caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred, along with seasonal high tides, access to the beach has been impacted. This beach will be closed until further notice.
Main Beach is north of Surfers Paradise and feeds into The Spit. Beach goers can enjoy long expansive stretches of sand and space with a great view south to the city skyline.
Swimming
Main Beach has 2 patrolled lifeguard towers:
- Tower 39 – Breaker Street
Patrolled by lifeguards between 8am and 5pm, every day all year round
- Tower 40 – Macarthur Parade, near Southport Surf Life Saving Club
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
Beach breaks extend the full length of the beach. Wave quality at beach breaks 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 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach. 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 Southport 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 Main Beach
The name Main Beach is descriptive since it was the main surf beach for the town of Southport and the earliest surveyed town in the immediate area.
To the south are the high-rise buildings of Surfers Paradise and to the north are the natural areas of The Spit. Visit Southport's closest surf beach or explore the cafés, fine dining and boutiques that line Tedder Avenue.
Main Beach has parklands that contain toilets, barbecues, tables, shade structures, playgrounds and beach showers. There is oceanway along some sections of Main Beach, while other parts are fronted by private homes and apartments.