The Sunshine Coast stretches from Caloundra in the south to Noosa Heads in the north, offering every kind of beach experience — calm lagoons for toddlers, world-class surf breaks, hidden national park coves where you won't see another towel, and golden off-leash stretches for your four-legged travel companion. Whether you're visiting for a weekend or a fortnight, this guide will help you find the perfect strip of sand.
Every beach below has been visited, researched and grouped by the experience it offers. Where a beach is patrolled by Surf Life Savers, we've noted it — always swim between the red-and-yellow flags, even if you're a confident swimmer.
Best Family Beaches
Safe swimming, gentle waves, shade, playgrounds nearby and easy parking — these are the beaches where young families can set up camp for the day without worry.
Mooloolaba Beach
Consistently ranked among Queensland's safest beaches. North-facing and protected from big swells, the water is calm almost year-round. The Esplanade is lined with juice bars, seafood restaurants and ice-cream shops. Patrolled seven days a week. The Surf Club sits right on the sand — grab a table on the deck for sunset acoustics on Saturday afternoons.
Kings Beach, Caloundra
The star attraction is the oceanfront saltwater pool with shade sails — safe, shark-free and hugely popular with all ages. Next door, free water-play fountains keep toddlers squealing for hours. The beach itself is patrolled 365 days a year, with rock pools and a playground in the adjacent Lions Park. Voted the top family beach in Queensland by Surf Life Saving.
Noosa Main Beach
Australia's most famous north-facing beach. Gentle waves make it ideal for surf lessons and confident young swimmers. Steps from Hastings Street's cafés and the entrance to Noosa National Park. Patrolled daily. The 1.2-kilometre stretch is remarkably even in depth, meaning a short walk from any entry point gets you into the surf.
Golden Beach, Caloundra
Sheltered from the open ocean by the northern tip of Bribie Island, this is as flat-calm as a saltwater beach gets. No waves, shallow water and sandy bottom — perfect for toddlers, stand-up paddle-boarding, kayaking and kite-surfing. The Pumicestone Passage behind it is equally serene for boating and fishing.
Best Surf Beaches
The Sunshine Coast produces reliable year-round surf, from mellow longboard rollers to powerful open-ocean breaks. Board hire and lessons are available at all the major spots.
Sunshine Beach
Fifteen kilometres of open-ocean power, just south of Noosa National Park. Multiple beach breaks with fast, hollow waves favoured by experienced riders. Patrolled at the village end, with a laidback café strip of coffee and seafood nearby. The surf club deck is prime whale-spotting territory in winter.
Coolum Beach
Crowned Queensland's best beach in 2025 by a public vote announced by the Premier. Reliable breaks year-round suit beginners through to experienced surfers — Coolum Surf School offers lessons right on the sand. Wide shores, boardwalks and BBQ areas, all beneath the dramatic backdrop of Mount Coolum (a 1.5-hour return hike for post-surf views).
Alexandra Headland
Known locally as "Alex", the headland point break is one of the coast's most consistent. A 90-minute coastal walk connects Alex to Point Cartwright through dune forest — one of the best morning walks on the Sunshine Coast. Less crowded than Noosa or Coolum.
Marcoola Beach
A local favourite, ten minutes south of Coolum, with open grassy picnic areas and multiple good breaks away from the tourist crowds. Conditions range from clean small beginner waves to sets for experienced surfers depending on swell and weather. Humpback whales pass close to shore in winter.
Hidden Gems & Secret Coves
Skip the crowds and discover the beaches the locals don't always share. These quieter spots reward a short walk or a willingness to venture beyond the main strips.
Little Cove, Noosa
A five-minute walk from Hastings Street but a world away from the Main Beach crowd. Sheltered, crystal-clear water with giant rocks for lazing and gentle waves that toddlers love. Rock pools for crab-spotting at low tide and a scenic vantage point over Main Beach during golden hour.
Tea Tree Bay
Twenty minutes along the Noosa National Park coastal track, Tea Tree Bay is legendary for longboard surfing — watching locals carve is worth the walk alone. Shady pandanus trees, small rock pools at low tide and the peaceful feeling of being deep inside a national park. Unpatrolled, so swim with care.
Moffat Beach
Flies under the radar while neighbouring Kings Beach draws the tourists. A perfect point break along the headland hosts Australia's longest-running surf competition, the "Ma and Pa Bendall Classic". Walk the coastal path to Kings Beach or Bulcock Beach. The café scene here is excellent — The Pocket Espresso Bar is a local institution.
Peregian Beach
A quiet village ten minutes south of Noosa with a patrolled beach backed by casuarina trees and dune vegetation. No high-rises, no crowds — just a handful of cafés, a Sunday market (first and third of the month) and a family-friendly park adjoining the sand.
More Beaches Worth Visiting
Cotton Tree
At the mouth of the Maroochy River, Cotton Tree is sheltered and calm — ideal for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and leisurely swimming. A boardwalk loops through grassy parkland with BBQs and shady picnic spots. The quirky coffee shops and boutique stores of Cotton Tree village complete the relaxed local vibe.
Bulcock Beach, Caloundra
Overlooking the sheltered azure water of Pumicestone Passage, Bulcock Beach is popular for kayaking, paddleboarding and fishing. At low tide, warm paddling pools form naturally. A waterside boardwalk connects to esplanade cafés and restaurants — a favourite for weddings and social get-togethers.
Mudjimba Beach
One of the best-kept secrets in Sunshine Coast surfing. Sitting beneath the watchful eye of Mudjimba Island (Old Woman Island), this pristine stretch sees consistently good surf year-round with plenty of parking and far fewer crowds than Noosa or Coolum.
Currimundi Lake
A beachside saltwater lake ten minutes north of Caloundra. Warm, shallow water with virtually no waves — the ultimate safe spot for very young children. The lake naturally opens and closes to the ocean at neighbouring Surf Beach.
Dicky Beach
Past the Caloundra headland, Dicky Beach is patrolled and quieter than Kings Beach, used more by locals than tourists. Swimming conditions can be wilder — always stay between the flags — but the long stretch of clean sand is worth the visit.
Dog-Friendly Beaches
The Sunshine Coast is one of Australia's most dog-friendly coastal regions. Several beaches have designated off-leash areas where your pet can run free.
Sunshine Beach (northern end): A huge, spacious off-leash area accessed from Seaview Terrace with high grassy dunes and friendly local dogs. Stumers Creek, Coolum: Probably the most popular and well-known dog beach on the coast — social, busy and well-loved. Cotton Tree: Dog-friendly sections along the Maroochy River mouth. Always check current council signage for boundaries and hours, as some off-leash areas operate at specific times only.
Beach Safety Essentials
Always swim between the red-and-yellow flags at patrolled beaches, even if you're a strong swimmer. Rips and fast-moving currents are powerful but hard to spot.
Wear SPF 50+ sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. The Queensland sun is intense, even in winter. Swim before 10 am or after 3 pm to avoid peak UV.
Never swim at dawn or dusk (higher shark risk). Avoid swimming after heavy rain when water quality drops.
Humpback whales pass close to shore June – November. Keep a safe distance and enjoy the show from the beach or a registered whale-watching vessel.
Frequently Asked Questions
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