Guide to the Top 5 Kangaroo Island Surfing Hot Spots

Of the countless elements that make Kangaroo Island such a captivating travel destination, its selection of the finest surfing breaks and hotspots is high on the list. Surfers at all levels of ability will appreciate the mesmerising waters along Kangaroo Island’s coastline. Not only are the waters great for surfing, but these breaks and beaches are absolutely gorgeous too! Let’s dive straight into our top five Kangaroo Island surfing spots to visit and enjoy.

Vivonne Bay is well known as Kangaroo Island’s main surf beach, located along the south coast of the island. The ideal season to surf is during winter when the waves are more reliable, with August considered to be the best month. This sheltered beach is great for beginner and skilled surfers, and hardly ever gets crowded—a total win-win.

With soft white sand, brilliant blue waters and a picturesque jetty, Vivonne Bay is outstandingly beautiful. Aside from surfing, it’s also one of Kangaroo Island’s safest swimming beaches and a top pick for fishing. When coupled with its picnic and barbecue facilities, Vivonne Bay is the perfect location to spend the day with family and friends.

Keep an eye out for rocks, rips and sharks.

Pennington Bay is another famous surfing beach, although the waters are more suited to advanced surfers as the rips are very strong. When the surf is up, the bay can get pretty busy. Winter is the most favourable time of the year to surf, with June often being the best month.

Just a 20-minute drive from the Penneshaw township, Pennington Bay is an extremely pretty beach located on the south coast, with plenty of opportunities to capture some stunning picture-perfect holiday photos. While these waters are generally not safe for swimming, you could spot some southern right or humpback whales in season, and friendly dolphins in the wild waters of the Southern Ocean, so bring along your binoculars.

Keep your eyes peeled for sharks and rips.

The breaks at iconic Stokes Bay make it a treasured spot to go surfing. The waters are great to surf at all stages of the tide, which surfers can enjoy to the full! Summer is the ideal time, and February is the best month for a Stokes Bay surf.

Just visiting Stokes Bay beach is a treat for visitors of all ages—getting there is an adventure in itself! This actual beach is totally hidden from outside view and can only be accessed via a maze of natural rock tunnels. The novelty of squeezing through the gaps just adds to the excitement. Once you reach the other side, a stunning beach with bright white sand and clear water awaits.

There are several smaller rock pools filled with plenty of colourful fish too—they’re very safe to swim in, even for children, and are ideal for snorkelling. It’s usually secluded and there’s a good chance that you will have this beach all to yourself. Stokes Bay is a delightful family-friendly Kangaroo Island attraction well worth visiting.

Be on the lookout for rocks and sharks.

D’Estrees Bay has a sheltered beach at the very western end, known locally as ‘the sewer’ which is a popular spot for surfing. Experienced surfers may have the most success in tackling these waters due to the rips and shallow reefs, as advanced surf skills are required! The best time to ride the waves is during the winter months, particularly in August. The safest surf is along the central part of the bay. If you prefer a quiet spot, D’Estrees Bay is a great option as it hardly ever gets crowded.

D’Estrees Bay is an attractive beach with multi-hued turquoise waters. While it’s not the safest place to go swimming nor does it have any facilities, you can enjoy fishing on this sandy beach.

Look out for rocks, rips and sharks.