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Learn to Surf in Torquay: Beaches, Prices and Schools

Quick answer

Torquay has some of the gentlest learner beaches we found. Beachsafe rates Front Beach and Fishermans Beach 4 out of 10, with a shallow bar and usually no rips. A group lesson costs roughly $85 to $94, and private lessons $220 to $240. Go Ride A Wave runs kids school holiday sessions for ages 5 to 14 at $79. Prices were checked on 17 October 2026.

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Torquay is where a lot of Victorians catch their first wave, and it's an easy day trip from Melbourne. It's the heart of the Surf Coast, and Beachsafe notes Torquay Surf Beach was the site of the first short board riding in Australia. The good news for beginners is that Torquay also has some of the gentlest learner beaches we found anywhere in this series. Here's the rundown, from Surf Life Saving's Beachsafe pages and school websites checked on 17 October 2026.

The beaches

Front Beach. Rated 4 out of 10 on Beachsafe's hazard scale. It's "usually a low beach break used by learners," and Beachsafe calls it "Torquay's most popular family beach, with usually low waves, a shallow bar and no rips," plus a summer lifeguard patrol. That's about as beginner-friendly as an Aussie beach gets.

Fishermans Beach. Also 4 out of 10, "a relatively safe beach with a wide, shallow bar and usually no rips." Just keep clear of the boat ramp and the boat clubs.

Torquay Surf Beach. Rated 6 out of 10. A wide beach break, very popular year round, but Beachsafe says to avoid the rocks and strong rips toward Point Danger, where an average of 27 people are rescued each year.

Point Roadknight, Anglesea. Rated 4 out of 10 and described as "the safest beach in the Anglesea region." Beachsafe's surf note is that it's "usually too small to bother about," which is honestly not a bad thing when you're five minutes into your surfing life.

Jan Juc. Rated 7 out of 10 and "more suitable for experienced bathers and surfers." Leave it for later.

What lessons cost

  • Go Ride A Wave (Torquay): $94 for a two hour intro group lesson, $220 for The Surf Course, $240 for a 1.5 hour private lesson (plus $50 for each extra person).
  • Southern Exposure: group learn to surf from $85 per person; two hour private lessons from $220, plus $50 per extra person.
  • SeaEarth Adventures: runs single lessons and multi-lesson packages with all gear included, daily in summer and school holidays and on weekends year round. Group bookings need at least four people. Prices are on its booking system.

So a group lesson around Torquay costs roughly $85 to $94, and private lessons $220 to $240.

Kids vs adults

Kids: Go Ride A Wave runs kids-only school holiday sessions for ages 5 to 14 at $79, and a SurfGroms program for 6 to 12 year olds at $280. Southern Exposure also runs summer surf camps from $230 per person in January. Front Beach, with its shallow bar and usually no rips, is a great place for younger kids to get comfortable.

Adults: the intro group lesson is the standard starting point. The Surf Course or a multi-lesson package is better value if you're coming down from Melbourne a few weekends in a row.

Wetsuits: check that a wetsuit is included before you book. Go Ride A Wave and SeaEarth both say all equipment is included.

What a first lesson looks like

Go Ride A Wave's intro lesson runs for two hours with all equipment included. Expect a beach briefing (the flags, the rips toward Point Danger, and where to stay), some practice on the sand, then time in the white water on a soft board.

Torquay's big advantage is Front Beach and Fishermans. With Beachsafe describing a shallow bar and usually no rips at both, they're great places to practise after your lesson. SeaEarth says beginners learn "paddling, standing up and reading the surf safely," which is a good summary of what to expect from any first lesson.

Keen to keep going? SeaEarth and Southern Exposure both offer multi-lesson options, and Go Ride A Wave's Surf Course at $220 is designed to take you through the beginner stages.

Tips

  • Check where your lesson meets. Schools on the Surf Coast use several beaches depending on conditions; SeaEarth lists Torquay, Anglesea, Ocean Grove, Point Addis and Urquharts Bluff.
  • Book ahead for summer holidays.
  • If you're surfing solo afterwards, Front Beach and Fishermans are your friends.

Torquay surf schools on Tydal Surf

See Go Ride A Wave Torquay, Southern Exposure, SeaEarth Adventures, Torquay Surfing Academy and Go Ride A Wave Anglesea, or the full Torquay surf schools list.

Sources