Thirteenth Beach
Thirteenth Beach is a long stretch of sand near Barwon Heads that offers multiple peaks and consistent waves. The beach is more exposed than the town beaches of Torquay and Jan Juc, meaning it picks up swell when other spots are flat. The sandbars shift regularly, so checking multiple spots along the beach is recommended. When small to medium swells hit with light winds, Thirteenth Beach offers fun, rippable waves suitable for all abilities. It's a staple of the Melbourne surf scene and often the go-to when conditions are marginal elsewhere.
Today's Conditions
Location & Conditions
Tide Times
Strike Score Breakdown
Location & Conditions
Spot Details
Swell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (200°)
- Direction range
- 170° - 240°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.0m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (350°)
- Offshore range
- 310° - 30°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
Water temp
15°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
5/10
👥 Autumn Break (Apr 4 – Apr 19) — expect extra crowds
Access: Easy beach access from multiple carparks.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Mar, Oct, Nov
Works year-round. More consistent than town beaches.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Point Impossible
🌊 Surf Coast sleeper • Less crowds than Bells • Two-section reef
Winki Pop
🔔 Bells' barrel neighbor • Local crew heavy • Victorian proving ground
Bells Beach
🔔 Where they ring the bell • Australia's competitive soul • Cold water power
Black Rock
🦭 Victorian reef right • Cold water barrels • Seal colony neighbor
Cape Woolamai
🐧 Phillip Island main break • Southern Ocean power • Wild Victoria
Johanna Beach
🌿 Great Ocean Road power • Otway backdrop • Wild Victorian coast