Best Beaches in Gold Coast (2026)
Planning your next outing? These are 25 of the best beaches in Gold Coast right now, whether you're after a lazy weekend, a day with the kids or somewhere new to explore. We rank each one by our Spot Score and keep the list fresh, so you're always seeing what's actually worth your time.
Australia's beaches are world-famous, and around Gold Coast you'll find everything from patrolled family swimming spots to quieter stretches of sand. Always swim between the red-and-yellow flags where lifeguards patrol, and slip, slop, slap — the UV is strong.
25 spots
Rainbow Bay Beach
Beaches in Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast.
Tallebudgera Creek
Beaches in Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast.
Southport Surf Life Saving Club
Beaches in Southport, Gold Coast.
Burleigh Beach
Beaches in Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast.
Surfers Paradise Street Circuit
Beaches in Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast.
Surfers Paradise Beach
Legendary surfing spot with a sand beach, set against a city backdrop with entertainment & shops.
Palm Beach
Beaches in Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast.
Currumbin Beach
Scenic beach with unique rock formations, surfing waves, lifeguards & waterfront restaurants & bars.
Coolangatta Beach
Popular stretch of white-sand beach with surf, scenic views & lifeguards on duty.
Gold Coast beach
Lengthy stretch of shoreline with 70 km of developed beachfront for swimming, surfing & more.
Miami Beach
Famous destination with historic landmarks & sandy shores, plus luxury hotels & vibrant nightlife.
Tallebudgera Beach
White-sand beach featuring clear, aqua water, a tranquil atmosphere & scenic views.
Kurrawa Beach
Long sandy beach for swimming, sunbathing & water sports, with lifeguards & a nearby park.
Tallebudgera Creek Beach
Beaches in Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast.
Boat Ramp Gold Coast Hope Island #1
Beaches in Hope Island, Gold Coast.
Budds Beach
Small riverfront beach with some tree shade, plus washrooms, showers, a jetty, playground & cafe.
Broadbeach
Bustling, urban beach featuring swimming, surfing, sunbathing, restaurants, shops & outdoor markets.
The Surfers Paradise Beach Gold Coast
Beaches in Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast.
Beaches by suburb
Zoom in on the best beaches in Gold Coast's most popular neighbourhoods.
Beaches guides for Gold Coast
roundupGold Coast Nightlife: The Best Bars & Live Music
From Surfers Paradise nightlife to Coolangatta cocktails, whisky in Mudgeeraba and karaoke in Southport, find the Gold Coast bar for your kind of night.
Read guide →roundupFree Things to Do in Gold Coast
From Broadwater walks to Springbrook waterfalls, these are the Gold Coast’s best free parks, lookouts and rainforest escapes.
Read guide →roundupGold Coast With Kids: Family-Friendly Things to Do
Plan a better family day on the Gold Coast with wildlife, waterfront parks, escape rooms, beachside green space and rainforest walks.
Read guide →Beaches in Gold Coast — FAQs
What are the best beaches in Gold Coast?+
Our top-rated beaches in Gold Coast are ranked by our Spot Score, which combines Google ratings, review volume, category fit and how recently we verified the details. The highest scorers appear at the top of this page.
How is the Gold Coast beaches ranking decided?+
We blend independent signals — Google star ratings and review counts, popularity, the quality of available information and freshness — into a single Spot Score out of 100. It's an editorial score, not a paid placement.
Can I filter beaches by suburb or price?+
Yes. Use the filters to narrow by suburb, minimum rating, price level, whether a place is open now, and features like dog-friendly or outdoor seating.
How many beaches are listed in Gold Coast?+
We currently feature 25 beaches across Gold Coast and surrounding suburbs, and we add and re-check venues regularly.
Are the beaches near Gold Coast patrolled?+
Many popular beaches are patrolled by surf lifesavers, especially over summer and on weekends. Always swim between the red-and-yellow flags, check signage for conditions, and never swim alone or after drinking.