Johanna Beach
Johanna Beach is a wild, exposed beach break on the Great Ocean Road that takes the full force of Southern Ocean swells. The beach is backed by rolling green farmland and the Otway Ranges, creating a quintessentially Victorian coastal landscape. When solid SW swells hit, Johanna produces powerful, punchy waves that can rival any beach break in Australia. The remote nature means crowds are rare, but so is backup if something goes wrong. This is a wave for experienced surfers comfortable in cold, powerful conditions.
Today's Conditions
Location & Conditions
Tide Times
Strike Score Breakdown
Location & Conditions
Spot Details
Swell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (220°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 270°
- Size range
- 1m - 3.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.8m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (0°)
- Offshore range
- 315° - 45°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.6m
Water temp
14°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
3/10
👥 Autumn Break (Apr 4 – Apr 19) — expect extra crowds
Access: Easy beach access from Great Ocean Road.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Mar, Oct
Winter is prime. Picks up all Southern Ocean swell.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Bells Beach
🔔 Where they ring the bell • Australia's competitive soul • Cold water power
Winki Pop
🔔 Bells' barrel neighbor • Local crew heavy • Victorian proving ground
Point Impossible
🌊 Surf Coast sleeper • Less crowds than Bells • Two-section reef
Thirteenth Beach
🏖️ Melbourne's reliable option • Multiple peaks • Consistent catchall
Martha Lavinia
🏝️ Australia's best beach break • King Island isolation • Wild Bass Strait
Black Rock
🦭 Victorian reef right • Cold water barrels • Seal colony neighbor