Red Bluff surf is a haven for frothing slabs and barrels. It’s a spot of pilgrimage on the northwest side of WA, mainly for advanced surfers.
An introduction to Red Bluff surf
You don’t get a name like Gnaraloo – the region where the Red Bluff surf spot makes its home – without have decent swell. Actually, the moniker is nout to do with the waves. But, hey, don’t look a poetic coincidence in the face, eh? A far-flung location on the Coral Coast of Western Australia, this goofy mecca is a whopping 14 hours from Perth. But loads of folks still make the pilgrimage up, mainly because it’s a break of sheer-cut quality.
So, is it worth the drive? Well…Red Bluff is quintessential WA stuff. It’s barren. It’s in the middle of nowhere. Sharks, rips and reefs all come and go, but the reward is a beefy left that can match Ulus and others. You gotta know what you’re doing and know the risks, but this could be the sort of surf adventure in the Oz Outback that you’ve been waiting for.
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Red Bluff surf at a glance
The good
- Heavy, barreling lefts
- Breathtaking desert location
- Excellent expert waves
The bad
- Not much for beginners
- It’s a nightmare to reach
What’s in this guide to surfing in Red Bluff?
- An introduction to Red Bluff surf
- Where is Red Bluff?
- The top Red Bluff surf spots
- Where to stay in Red Bluff
- When to surf in Red Bluff?
Where is Red Bluff?
Well…not near anything, really. One of the real draw cards of Red Bluff surf is just how remote the spot is. To get here, you need to drive north from Perth for over 14 hours. Take the turn off at Carnavon (the nearest major town to Red Bluff) and then proceed north into the Gnarlaroo region. You’ll need to branch off again at the sign for Gnaraloo Station, following a dusty track that really needs 4X4 moxie to navigate.
A guide to Red Bluff surf spots
Red Bluff has one main surf point that really hits the headlines. However, there’s also a second spot nearby, along with a few hidden beaches that might have waves for those willing to look for them. We won’t reveal any secrets, but here’s a look at the mainstay locations…
The Bluff
This is the piece de resistance of the Red Bluff surf scene. Called, simply, The Bluff, it’s a left-hand point break where the sets line up like something out of Bali before whopping into a shallow platform of low-lying reef to offer rifling barrels that go for over 100 meters on the best days.
This one can handle some serious size in the main winter season – like double overhead. When that happens with a nice easterly offshore, you’re looking at frothing slabs that get hollow and run fast. AKA bombs. It’s one of the half gun and guts by the bucket load. Not for beginners. Hazards include sharp reefs, rips, and sharks, especially in the main paddle channel where you finish up.
Blow Holes
There’s a second reef break at Blow Holes just a few bends in the coast south of Red Bluff itself. A less-surfed, less-famous spot, it has the appearance of an A-frame, though only the left is really worth it. Surf it on bigger days when there’s a shoulder to rip and some hollow sections but be certain you know when to kick out since the reef here is very shallow and like spring break for urchins. Another expert wave.
Geraldton
Okay, okay, so it’s a six-hour drive from the Red Bluff surf to Geraldton but this is WA, so what do you expect? We list this one here becuase we’d say it’s the closest surf town of all to Red Bluff. Drive down after hitting the left handers to experience a proper WA chill spot with beaches for beginners and intermediates alike, from Back Beach to Drummonds.
We have a complete guide to surfing in Geraldton right here
Where to stay when surfing in Red Bluff?
It should hardly come as a surprise that Red Bluff has very few hotels in the nearby vicinity. It’s little more than a barren beachfront on the edge of the WA coastline. There is a famous campground right on the shoreline, a walk from the paddle out point, but we’ve listed hotels that offer a touch more comfort in close-by towns…
Gnaraloo Station – Homestead
Stay at the Gnaraloo Station – Homestead if you can. Seriously, it’s the best-located option for those looking to hit Red Bluff. And it’s proper Outback living, surrounded by the beige hills of the desert with epic sunset views and whatnot. The owners are fishing experts and can help with all your outings. Rooms are simple but do the job!
Outback Oasis Caravan Park
Outback Oasis Caravan Park is a chilled and family friendly stay that’s south of the Red Bluff surf in Carnarvon, WA. The rooms are in little demountable units, have comfy double beds, and even mini porches where you can kick it and relax.
Coral Coast Tourist Park
Coral Coast Tourist Park is a charming stay with a pool and bunk rooms that are suited to groups of traveling surfers. It shouldn’t break the bank and puts you, again, in the small town of Carnarvon just south of the Coral Coast where Red Bluff makes its home.
When to surf in Red Bluff?
The peak time to hit Red Bluff is when the strong S-SW swell channels are firing on all cylinders in the Indian Ocean. In WA, that’s the winter time, typically between May and June. The mightiest double overheads that bring the bigger lineups to Gnarlaroo are usually present in the middle of the season, but we also like the good consistency that’s offered by spring (in September) and fall (in April and May). That said, there are decent days that power the Red Bluff surf points up in the summer months, it’s just they’re less consistent and a touch less powerful, so the barrel-of-you-life sorta’ rides are harder to come by.
Be sure to check out our gear guides:
- 10 Best Surf Sunscreen Choices for 2022 – Keep the skin healthy and the ocean happy.
- 5 of The Best Surf Hats for 2022 – Surf hats that’ll keep the sun off.
- The Ultimate Guide to Eco Friendly Wetsuits [2021/22 Edition] – Consider the ocean when you buy.
- The Best Surf Booties for Men in 2022 – Protect yo’ feet. Keep the toes warm.
- 10 of The Best Gifts for Surfers – Gift ideas for surfers in 2021.
- The Best Wetsuits for Kids – Essential reading for any mom or pop with a young surfer
- The Best Winter Wetsuits For This Season – Cold-water surf ain’t fun without thick rubber
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This article is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Australia
