
2. Swim at Surfers Paradise Beach
Location: Beach-end, Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise didn't earn its name without reason, and while it might seem obvious to grab your swim gear and head straight down to the water at the end of Cavill Avenue (Surfers Paradise's main street), there's a little more to it than that.
The main section of Surfers Paradise Beach is easily recognisable due to its large “Surfers Paradise” sign that is always a popular feature in photos for visitors looking to strike a pose, and the area beyond it is a regularly-patrolled beach area with vigilant lifeguards who are kept busy watching over often-careless tourists.
The foreshore area along Surfers Paradise beach has recently also undergone a multi-million dollar facelift, and now is a much more impressive area to simply “hang out” than it ever has been before; there are plenty of new public showers, toilets, seats and more that makes rinsing off or relaxing far more enjoyable than before.
The beach is made even more popular due to the fact that it's within easy walking distance of most Surfers Paradise accommodation, coupled with the fact that there are many fast food and more high-end dining cafes and restaurants just across the street.
The foreshore area along Surfers Paradise beach has recently also undergone a multi-million dollar facelift, and now is a much more impressive area to simply “hang out” than it ever has been before.
If you're looking for more of a relaxed, uncrowded beach atmosphere, however (particularly if you're a family with younger kids), it's advisable to head 10 minutes' walk or so either south or north to one of the nearby patrolled – but not nearly as busy – areas of beach towards either Broadbeach or Main Beach.
While it's perhaps not the “perfect” beach on the Gold Coast as far as surf goes despite its name, Surfers Paradise beach is still a very viable spot for boarders who aren't too fussy about catching the ultimate wave, with a decent break that tends to produce waves that hover around the 3-4 foot mark most of the year.
As a result, surfing lessons are hugely popular with visitors who are looking to take the first steps towards learning to surf, and the beach's relatively moderate waves make it a great place to do just that.