Palm Beach, Gold Coast: Swimming, Surf, Parking and Dogs

Palm Beach on the Gold Coast is a patrolled surf beach on the southern end of the coast, stretching about four kilometres between Currumbin Creek and Tallebudgera Creek. Locals call it “Palmy”, and it is a quieter, more suburban stretch of sand than Surfers Paradise or Burleigh Heads.

Two surf clubs, Palm Beach and Pacific, patrol the water. The beach is part of the World Surfing Reserve, and a rock reef built offshore in 2019 has given it a surf break of its own.

Can you swim at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast?

Yes, between the red and yellow flags. There are two patrolled areas. Tower 14 is at Jefferson Lane next to Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club, and Tower 15 is beside Pacific Surf Life Saving Club, which is a smaller, family-oriented club to the north.

Lifeguards are on duty from 8 am to 5 pm between November and April and during school holidays. Tower 15 is staffed every day in those periods. Patrols can close when conditions are dangerous or for maintenance, so check the City of Gold Coast’s Palm Beach page and the beach alerts before you go.

Surfing at Palm Beach

Palm Beach is part of the World Surfing Reserve. The beach breaks suit bodysurfing, shortboards, longboards and stand-up paddle boarding.

Wave energy is higher here than on many beaches, because the coast faces more easterly and has less shelter from Snapper Rocks. Excellent beach breaks run along most of the beach, and the Palm Beach Artificial Reef is popular with experienced surfers. The City of Gold Coast built it in 2019 with 60,000 tonnes of rock, about 270 metres off Nineteenth Avenue. It works with sand nourishment to cut the force of waves and slow the erosion caused by southerly swells coming around Currumbin Rock, and it has become a much-loved surf break. The council’s advice for the surf here is “If in doubt, don’t paddle out.”

A simple plan for the day

Pick a tower and set up near the flags: Tower 14 at Jefferson Lane if you want to be next to Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club, or Tower 15 if you prefer the smaller Pacific club. Swim while the lifeguards are on, then use the beach showers before you leave the sand.

Pacific Surf Life Saving Club is the smaller of the two and has a family feel, while Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club has the busier clubhouse next to Tower 14.

If you want calmer water afterwards, Tallebudgera Creek is at the northern end of the beach, and Currumbin Alley is at the southern end, where the creek meets the ocean.

Facilities and food

• Toilets, tables, showers and shade: several parks along the beach have toilets, tables, beach showers and shade structures.
• Food: a small beachside cafe is near Pacific Surf Life Saving Club, tucked away from the busy Gold Coast Highway. Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club, at 117 Jefferson Lane, serves meals and drinks too, and its website has a table booking link.
• Accessible toilets: the national toilet map shows public and accessible toilets near the beach.

Is Palm Beach dog friendly?

Not at the swimming areas. Dogs are prohibited within 200 metres of flagged swimming areas. The City of Gold Coast says there are plenty of designated off-leash areas across the coast, and you can find the nearest one on its dog exercise area map (linked from the Palm Beach page).

Planning your visit

• How long: an hour for a swim and a walk, half a day with a surf, lunch and a stroll along the sand.
• Cost: free to use the beach and parks.
• Best time to swim: 8 am to 5 pm while the lifeguards are on duty.
• Getting around: the council suggests walking, running or cycling to the beach, and publishes walking and cycling maps. The G:link light rail runs through Surfers Paradise, not Palm Beach, so use a bus.
• What to bring: sunscreen, a hat and a towel. There are showers on the foreshore.

Getting to Palm Beach and parking

By car

Palm Beach is about 90 km from the Brisbane CBD, about 75 minutes by car without traffic. Allow more time on weekends and in school holidays.

Parking

Parking at the surf club is limited. On-street parking is available in the surrounding streets, so read the parking signs and line markings before you walk to the beach.

Public transport

Translink buses run along The Esplanade. Route 700 stops along the Gold Coast Highway in Palm Beach, including at Fourth Avenue, Eighth Avenue, Tenth Avenue, Fifteenth Avenue and Nineteenth Avenue. Plan your trip with the Translink journey planner.

Nearby

• Tallebudgera Creek – calm creek swimming and paddling at the northern end of the beach.
• Currumbin Beach – the next surf beach south, across Currumbin Creek.
• Currumbin Alley – the creek mouth, for paddling and kayaks.
• Burleigh Heads Beach – the patrolled beach beyond the headland to the north.
• Burleigh Head National Park – coastal walks on the headland.
• Currumbin Rock Pools – freshwater swimming up the valley.

Browse more beaches and Gold Coast places.

Details can change, so check the City of Gold Coast’s Palm Beach page before you go.

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