Chasing waves: where to surf this Easter

NO matter your level, there’s a wave waiting somewhere along the Surf Coast and Bellarine this Easter.

Here’s where to paddle out during the 2026 Rip Curl Pro.

Just getting started

Families will descend on the coast in their thousands to watch the world’s best, but there’s still plenty of room to find your own wave.

If it’s your first time in the water or you’re building confidence, look for sheltered corners with smaller, forgiving surf.

Fishermans Beach and Cosy Corner are reliable entry points, offering gentle, rolling waves and protection from strong onshore winds.

Point Roadknight in Anglesea is another go-to when the open beaches are too big, while RAAFs Beach near Ocean Grove and the bay at Point Lonsdale can also provide manageable conditions when the swell allows.

Finding your rhythm For surfers ready to move beyond the whitewater, the coast opens up.

Torquay Front Beach, Anglesea Main Beach and Lorne Front Beach offer consistent, user-friendly waves that allow you to step onto cleaner faces and start linking turns.

Surfers can graduate from the whitewater to the green faced waves and begin to practice turning their board and changing direction.

Over on the Bellarine, Ocean Grove Main Beach is also a good option depending on swell size. It’s rolling waves give surfers time to get to their feet and perform some basic manoeuvres.

Conditions can change quickly, and many of these beaches have rips, reefs or rocky sections, so take a moment to assess before heading out.

If you’re feeling a bit more confident and things are starting to come together, you’re ready to check out some of the swell magnets on the coast.

Ready to push it

For experienced surfers, the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula delivers.

Jan Juc, Fairhaven, Guvvos, O’Donoghues and Spout Creek all offer more powerful beach and reef breaks, while Bells Beach and Winkipop remain the headline acts. Access to those two will depend on the competition schedule, with the Rip Curl Pro window running until 11 April.

If you’re on the Bellarine, check out the beach breaks along 13th Beach or head further down towards Point Lonsdale.

At this level, you’ll want to be comfortable generating speed, turn your surfboard, and exercise power and flow. You should be confident paddling into waves over 3-foot and comfortable in rips and currents.

Crowds are part of the Easter swell, so take your turn, stay aware and keep things respectful in the water.