Is Scarborough Beach good for surfing?

Yes. Scarborough is a popular sandy beach break with small-to-medium waves most of the year. It suits intermediate surfers and bodyboarders; beginners should surf in small conditions and stay near lifeguards.

What is the best time of day to surf Scarborough Beach?

Early morning, before the afternoon south-westerly sea breeze arrives. In summer the wind often picks up around midday.

Can I hire a surfboard at Scarborough?

Yes. Beginner boards and bodyboards can be hired from surf shops on and near Scarborough Beach Road and from some local accommodation.

Is Scarborough good for kitesurfing?

Yes. The strong afternoon sea breeze from November to March makes Scarborough and Brighton Beach popular kitesurfing and windsurfing spots.

What wetsuit do I need to surf in Perth?

Water temperatures range from about 18°C in winter to 23°C in summer, so a 3/2 mm wetsuit or spring suit is comfortable most of the year.

Surfing Scarborough Beach Perth | Surf Guide, Surf Cam & Bodyboarding

Q: Where is the Scarborough Beach surf cam?

The surf cam looks at the waves in front of the Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club lifeguard tower, one of the most popular surf spots on the beach.

Scarborough surf at a glance

Wave type: sandy beach break; peaks shift with the sandbanks.
Best time: early morning, before the afternoon south-westerly sea breeze (the "Fremantle Doctor") blows the surf out, especially in summer.
Best swell: south-west to west groundswell, most consistent from autumn to spring.
Good for: surfing, bodyboarding, bodysurfing, and kitesurfing and windsurfing in the afternoon wind.
Safety: the beach is patrolled by the Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club in season; surf outside the red-and-yellow swimming flags.

The Scarborough Beach surf break

Young bodyboarder riding a wave at Scarborough Beach, Perth — Tai Grummels, aged five, bodyboarding at Scarborough Beach.

Scarborough Beach faces west into the Indian Ocean, about 14 km from the Perth CBD. Unlike reef breaks further north, it is a sandy beach break: waves break over shifting sandbanks, so the best peaks move from season to season. A favourite spot is in front of the Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club lifeguard tower, which is also where the Scarborough Beach surf cam points — check it before you paddle out.

Perth's offshore islands and reefs filter much of the Southern Ocean swell, so Scarborough's waves are usually small to medium (around 0.5–1.5 m), making it a good beach for intermediate surfers and bodyboarders. On bigger south-west swells the banks can produce fast, punchy wedges.

When is the best time to surf?

Mornings are best. In summer the strong south-westerly sea breeze usually arrives around midday and turns the surface choppy. Autumn and winter bring more consistent groundswell and more frequent easterly (offshore) mornings, although winter storms can make it messy. Water temperatures range from around 18°C in late winter to 23°C in late summer, so a spring suit or 3/2 mm wetsuit suits most of the year.

Bodyboarding, bodysurfing and SUP

Scarborough's short, steep waves are ideal for bodyboarding and bodysurfing, and the beach is a great place for children to learn on soft boards. Beginner boards can be hired from surf shops along Scarborough Beach Road and from some Scarborough accommodation properties.

Kitesurfing and windsurfing

Kitesurfing at Scarborough Beach with City Beach and Fremantle in the background — Kitesurfing at Scarborough with City Beach and Fremantle in the background.

The same afternoon sea breeze that ruins the surf makes Scarborough and neighbouring Brighton Beach excellent for kitesurfing and windsurfing from about November to March. Launch away from swimmers and follow lifeguard instructions.

Nearby surf spots

Trigg Point (2 km north) — Perth's best-known reef and point break, more consistent and crowded.
Brighton Beach (just south) — quieter beach break, popular with kitesurfers.
City Beach and Floreat (5–7 km south) — beach breaks with groynes.

Surf safety

Swim and surf at patrolled beaches, stay out of the flagged swimming area, watch for rips, and keep an eye on the weather — conditions can change quickly. Local legend Ian Cairns, a former world surfing champion, grew up surfing Perth's beaches, and the local surf club has run national Surf Life Saving Championships at Scarborough several times.

Share your surf photos

Send your surfing, bodyboarding, kitesurfing and windsurfing photos and videos showing Scarborough — selected images may feature on this site and in the Scarborough wall calendar. Perth surf shops and surf schools can sponsor this page; see advertising on Scarboro.info.