Surfing Tombstones: The Complete Guide

Tombstones is a reef break located in Gnaraloo, Australia, offering a left-hander along Australia's coastline. Tombstones (Tombies) is one of Australia's most serious waves—a long, freight-train left barrel that runs for 300-500 meters along a shallow reef at Gnaraloo Station in remote Western Australia. Rated as expert-level difficulty with lightly crowded conditions, this reef break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is SW (225°), with workable conditions from SSW to W (200°–260°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Tombstones needs a minimum of 1.5m / 5ft to start working and handles swells up to 4m / 13ft before conditions deteriorate. When it maxes out, expect powerful, heavy-water conditions.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 12 seconds, with 16 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the SSE (155°). The full offshore range spans ESE to S (120°–190°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid to high tide. Optimal tide range is 0.8m–1.8m. Avoid surfing when the tide drops below 0.5m — it becomes dangerously shallow.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Tombstones runs September, October, November, March, April, May (Sep–May). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Season Notes: Best at season transitions. Sep-Nov and Mar-May.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 23°C / 73°F. A shorty or spring suit is recommended for longer sessions.

Getting There

The nearest airport is LEA, approximately 3 hours by road.

Access: 150km dirt road from Carnarvon. Camping at station.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🦈 Sharks — Known shark activity
🪨 Rocks — Rocky entry/exit or in lineup
⚠️ Shallow — Very shallow at low tide
🏝️ Remote — Far from help

World-class but dangerous. Shallow reef with ugly steps. Very remote.

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock
Avoid surfing at dawn/dusk and near river mouths. Surf with a buddy
Carry a first aid kit and emergency communication. Help may be far away

Skill Level: This spot is rated expert-level (9/10). Crowd Level: Typically lightly crowded (3/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Tombstones? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Tombstones is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*