Home to some of the best beaches in the world, the Sunshine Coast is a hotspot for all things surfing, whale-watching, diving, and more. Stretching for more than 100km, our sun-drenched coastline includes the beautiful Pumicestone Passage in the south, and the wildlife hub of Tin Can Bay in the north. In between, you’ll find a diverse array of bays, coves, and main beaches – from sheltered, north-facing Noosa and Mooloolaba, through to epic surfing favourites like Coolum and Alexandra Headland.
What The Locals Love
❤️ Diving beneath the glassy waves at Kings Beach in Caloundra
❤️ Travelling along the picturesque Great Beach Drive
❤️ Spotting whales playing in the water off Point Cartwright
❤️ Swimming with turtles off Mudjimba Island
Our beaches
Our beaches truly take centre stage when it comes to the ultimate holiday experience. Dip your toes into the glassy waters of Little Cove in Noosa, stroll along the golden sand at Kawana, or explore the magical bays at Coolum. Whether you’re keen to swim, snorkel, surf, or watch from the shoreline, there’s a coastal gem to suit every preference. For more inspiration, check out our guide to the Sunshine Coast’s best beaches here.
Whale-watching
From June to October each year, majestic humpback whales pass through our pristine waters as they migrate north. Take your pick from experienced operators who offer up whale-watching adventures, or meet these gentle giants up close in the water with Sunreef Mooloolaba. If you’d rather stay on dry land, there are plenty of fabulous vantage points across the Sunshine Coast where you can witness the northward migration.
Surfing & Watersports
If offshore boating, adventure rafting, kayaking and more sound like fun, you’ve come to the right place. Keen to jump on a board? Several fabulous surf instructors (like Coolum Surf School) operate along our coastline and cater to a range of abilities. The Noosa Festival of Surfing is also an exciting event to pop in your calendar – so make sure to keep an eye on the dates each year.
Diving & Snorkelling
Bring your fins and strap on the GoPro to explore our underwater kingdoms on a spectacular dive or snorkel trip. We’re home to arguably one of the world’s best wreck sites, the Ex-HMAS Brisbane, which is located just 2.9 nautical miles off the coast of Mooloolaba. Further north, Wolf Rock Dive Site can be found 2km off Double Island Point, and is the only known gestation site for Grey Nurse Sharks on Australia’s East Coast. Closer to shore, Mudjimba Island offers up some fabulous snorkelling opportunities with our resident sea turtles. For more information on diving, including tours, see here.
