Mermaid Beach got its name from the cutter HMS Mermaid that explorer John Oxley sailed aboard in 1823 when he discovered the Brisbane and Tweed Rivers. This enchanting seaside village is the perfect contrast to its much bigger neighbours in Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise.
There's an eclectic blend of dining options here from modern Australian to plenty of Asian culinary experiences. Enjoy the peace and quiet in this stunning part of the coast — grab a bite to eat on the beachfront at the local surf club and enjoy beach views from the expansive balcony.
For more information on Mermaid Beach especially the best places to eat visit Destination Gold Coast
Beach usage
Every beach along our coastline is unique and used for many different activities, such as swimming, surfing and walking the dog. We've been working to understand which beaches are our most popular and how each is used by our community and visitors.
Mermaid Beach is a drawcard for up to 50,000 people every year. The majority of these beachgoers are local residents from the medium to high density surrounding suburbs.
Our data shows that almost 60% of visitors to Mermaid Beach come to enjoy the sand.
Surfing
Beach breaks extend the full length of the beach and conditions are best on a moderate swell and offshore winds.
Swimming
Make sure you swim between the red and yellow flags which indicate that the beach is patrolled. Mermaid Beach has 3 patrolled lifeguard towers located at the end of:
- Seashell Avenue, patrolled between 8am and 5pm every day between November and April.
- Hilda Street, patrolled between 8am and 5pm every day between November and April.
- Montana Avenue, in front of Mermaid Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, 172 Hedges Avenue, patrolled between 8am and 5pm every day all year round.
Please note all beaches are patrolled during Queensland school holidays.
For more details download our Beach patrol information sheet(PDF, 1MB)
Facilities
There is no dedicated oceanway, however, there is bike parking at the Mermaid Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
Mermaid Beach has the following facilities for beachgoers:
Getting there
Parking: There is a car park at the surf club and plenty of on-street parking available in side streets. Be sure to take note of any applicable parking signs and/or line markings before heading to the beach. Please note that our beaches can get very busy on weekends and during school holidays, reducing the amount of available parking in the area.
Public transport: Translink buses run along the Gold Coast Highway past Mermaid Beach. Use Translink's journey planner to plot your trip to the beach.
Active travel: Use our Walking and cycling maps for Mermaid Beach to plan your walk, run or bike ride to the beach.