Fishing spots on the Gold Coast Broadwater and Seaway

19 places to fish on the Gold Coast Broadwater, the Seaway and the Nerang River: 3 you can fish from land, 12 public boat ramps and 4 reached only by boat. Each has its marine park zone, the winds it is sheltered from, its tide place and what is in season in October.

Updated 9 Oct 2026

Species seasons here follow our Gold Coast guide, which covers Gold Coast Broadwater, Seaway, Nerang/Coomera rivers, Tallebudgera/Currumbin creeks, beaches and headlands to Point Danger (QLD side only). Positions are a guide only, not for navigation.

See this week's fishing forecast for Broadwater: the app rates each day for shore, small-boat and kayak fishing, with the best time of day, wind, tide and what to target.

Spots at a glance

19 spots on the Gold Coast Broadwater, the Seaway and the Nerang River
Spot	Type	Access	Sheltered in	Zone	Tide place
1. Gold Coast Seaway – south wall (The Spit)	Shore · ocean rocks	Land-based	S, SW, W	Not in a marine park	Gold Coast Seaway
2. Gold Coast Seaway – north wall (South Stradbroke)	Shore · ocean rocks	Land-based	W, NW, N	Not in a marine park	Gold Coast Seaway
3. The Spit – Broadwater shore (Moondarewa Spit)	Shore	Land-based and kayak	NE, E, SE	Not in a marine park	Gold Coast Seaway
4. Wave Break Island	Boat area	Boat and kayak	Open water	Not in a marine park	Gold Coast Seaway
5. Carters Banks	Boat area	Boat and kayak	Open water	Not in a marine park	Gold Coast Seaway
6. Curlew Banks	Boat area	Boat and kayak	Open water	Not in a marine park	Gold Coast Seaway
7. The Broadwater (Paradise Point reach)	Boat area	Boat and kayak	Open water	Dark blue zone HPZ02	Paradise Point
8. The Spit – Muriel Henchman Dr ramp	Boat ramp	Boat (ramp here) and kayak	–	Not in a marine park	Gold Coast Seaway
9. Southport – North St ramp (Broadwater)	Boat ramp	Boat (ramp here) and kayak	–	Not in a marine park	Southport MOB
10. Labrador – Marine Pde ramp	Boat ramp	Boat (ramp here) and kayak	–	Not in a marine park	Grand Hotel Jetty
11. Loders Creek public ramp	Boat ramp	Boat (ramp here) and kayak	–	Not in a marine park	Grand Hotel Jetty
12. Runaway Bay – Ray St ramp (Biggera Ck)	Boat ramp	Boat (ramp here) and kayak	–	Not in a marine park	Runaway Bay
13. Runaway Bay – Constance Esp ramp	Boat ramp	Boat (ramp here) and kayak	–	Not in a marine park	Runaway Bay
14. Hollywell – Centenary Dr ramp	Boat ramp	Boat (ramp here) and kayak	–	Not in a marine park	Paradise Point
15. Paradise Point – Paradise Pde ramp	Boat ramp	Boat (ramp here) and kayak	–	Not in a marine park	Paradise Point
16. Hope Island – Chindrina St ramp (Coomera River)	Boat ramp	Boat (ramp here) and kayak	–	Not in a marine park	Sanctuary Cove
17. Isle of Capri ramp (Nerang River)	Boat ramp	Boat (ramp here) and kayak	–	Not in a marine park	Isle of Capri
18. Broadbeach Waters – T E Peters Dr ramp	Boat ramp	Boat (ramp here) and kayak	–	Not in a marine park	Nerang Township
19. Carrara ramp (Nerang River)	Boat ramp	Boat (ramp here) and kayak	–	Not in a marine park	Nerang Township

1. Gold Coast Seaway – south wall (The Spit)

Type: Shore · ocean rocks
Access: Land-based
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (12 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: Sheltered in S, SW and W winds; exposed to N, NE and E (faces NE, estimated)
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Rock wall on the southern side of the Seaway; bream, tailor, trevally, mulloway, flathead; very strong tidal flow. Access: Walk from Doug Jennings Park / Seaway car park. Wear grip shoes; waves wash the wall end.
Map: -27.93571, 153.43153 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Gold Coast Seaway (MSQ predictions)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

Wear a lifejacket on ocean rocks; never turn your back on the sea.

2. Gold Coast Seaway – north wall (South Stradbroke)

Type: Shore · ocean rocks
Access: Land-based
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (12 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: Sheltered in W, NW and N winds; exposed to E, SE and S (faces SE, estimated)
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Northern Seaway wall on South Stradbroke; same species as the south wall, fewer people. Just outside the Moreton Bay Marine Park: Fisheries rules apply. Boat access only.
Map: -27.93305, 153.43020 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Gold Coast Seaway (MSQ predictions)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

Wear a lifejacket on ocean rocks; never turn your back on the sea.

3. The Spit – Broadwater shore (Moondarewa Spit)

Type: Shore
Access: Land-based and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: Sheltered in NE, E and SE winds; exposed to SW, W and NW (faces W)
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Broadwater shore of The Spit inside the Seaway; whiting, flathead, bream and trevally. Outside the marine park: Fisheries rules apply. Access from Seaworld Dr, Main Beach.
Map: -27.94472, 153.42104 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Gold Coast Seaway (MSQ predictions)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

4. Wave Break Island

Type: Boat area
Access: Boat and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: Open water: exposed to every wind
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Island inside the Seaway; flathead, whiting, bream on the edges and drop-offs. Access: Boat only.
Map: -27.93611, 153.41667 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Gold Coast Seaway (MSQ predictions)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

5. Carters Banks

Type: Boat area
Access: Boat and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: Open water: exposed to every wind
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Broadwater sand banks; whiting, flathead; yabbies. Access: Boat only.
Map: -27.92639, 153.41194 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Gold Coast Seaway (MSQ predictions)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

6. Curlew Banks

Type: Boat area
Access: Boat and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: Open water: exposed to every wind
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Flats inside the Seaway; whiting, flathead. Access: Boat only.
Map: -27.94861, 153.41556 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Gold Coast Seaway (MSQ predictions)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

7. The Broadwater (Paradise Point reach)

Type: Boat area
Access: Boat and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: Open water: exposed to every wind
Zone: Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) HPZ02 Moreton Island to Broadwater: normal line fishing, trolling, crabbing and bait gathering (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person); no trawling.
Note: Northern Broadwater channels; flathead, bream, whiting, trevally. Access: Boat only.
Map: -27.87278, 153.41333 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Paradise Point (MSQ local times, from Gold Coast Seaway)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

8. The Spit – Muriel Henchman Dr ramp

Type: Boat ramp
Access: Boat (ramp here) and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: No facing direction recorded for this spot
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Closest ramp to the Seaway. Access: Public ramp, Muriel Henchman Dr. Going to sea crosses the Gold Coast Seaway bar, a designated bar: check MSQ advice and conditions before crossing.
Map: -27.95138, 153.42438 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Gold Coast Seaway (MSQ predictions)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

9. Southport – North St ramp (Broadwater)

Type: Boat ramp
Access: Boat (ramp here) and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: No facing direction recorded for this spot
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Broadwater ramp at Southport. Going to sea crosses the Gold Coast Seaway bar, a designated bar: check MSQ advice and conditions before crossing.
Map: -27.95845, 153.41381 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Southport MOB (MSQ predictions)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

10. Labrador – Marine Pde ramp

Type: Boat ramp
Access: Boat (ramp here) and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: No facing direction recorded for this spot
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Broadwater ramp at Labrador.
Map: -27.94180, 153.41004 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Grand Hotel Jetty (MSQ local times, from Gold Coast Seaway)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

11. Loders Creek public ramp

Type: Boat ramp
Access: Boat (ramp here) and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: No facing direction recorded for this spot
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Creek ramp off the Broadwater.
Map: -27.95545, 153.40933 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Grand Hotel Jetty (MSQ local times, from Gold Coast Seaway)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

12. Runaway Bay – Ray St ramp (Biggera Ck)

Type: Boat ramp
Access: Boat (ramp here) and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: No facing direction recorded for this spot
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Biggera Creek ramp.
Map: -27.92596, 153.40386 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Runaway Bay (MSQ local times, from Gold Coast Seaway)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

13. Runaway Bay – Constance Esp ramp

Type: Boat ramp
Access: Boat (ramp here) and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: No facing direction recorded for this spot
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Broadwater ramp.
Map: -27.90480, 153.40647 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Runaway Bay (MSQ local times, from Gold Coast Seaway)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

14. Hollywell – Centenary Dr ramp

Type: Boat ramp
Access: Boat (ramp here) and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: No facing direction recorded for this spot
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Broadwater ramp.
Map: -27.89787, 153.40348 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Paradise Point (MSQ local times, from Gold Coast Seaway)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

15. Paradise Point – Paradise Pde ramp

Type: Boat ramp
Access: Boat (ramp here) and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: No facing direction recorded for this spot
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Northern Broadwater ramp.
Map: -27.87790, 153.39377 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Paradise Point (MSQ local times, from Gold Coast Seaway)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

16. Hope Island – Chindrina St ramp (Coomera River)

Type: Boat ramp
Access: Boat (ramp here) and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: No facing direction recorded for this spot
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Coomera River ramp.
Map: -27.85518, 153.35058 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Sanctuary Cove (±1 h, from Gold Coast Seaway)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

17. Isle of Capri ramp (Nerang River)

Type: Boat ramp
Access: Boat (ramp here) and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: No facing direction recorded for this spot
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Nerang River ramp.
Map: -28.00941, 153.42531 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Isle of Capri (±1 h, from Gold Coast Seaway)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

18. Broadbeach Waters – T E Peters Dr ramp

Type: Boat ramp
Access: Boat (ramp here) and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: No facing direction recorded for this spot
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Nerang River ramp.
Map: -28.02770, 153.42668 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Nerang Township (±1 h, from Gold Coast Seaway)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

19. Carrara ramp (Nerang River)

Type: Boat ramp
Access: Boat (ramp here) and kayak
What's good here: Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
Best tide: Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
Best wind: No facing direction recorded for this spot
Zone: Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
Note: Upper Nerang River ramp.
Map: -28.01663, 153.38706 · Open in Google Maps
Tide times here: Nerang Township (±1 h, from Gold Coast Seaway)
Forecast: Open in the forecast

Boat ramps on the Gold Coast Broadwater, the Seaway and the Nerang River

12 public boat ramps, all launching into smooth water. Trips from these ramps reach 9 reefs and marks that we list; The Spit – Muriel Henchman Dr ramp and Southport – North St ramp (Broadwater) each reach all of them.

Boat ramps on the Gold Coast Broadwater, the Seaway and the Nerang River
Ramp	Bar crossing	Reach from here
The Spit – Muriel Henchman Dr ramp	Gold Coast Seaway Bar	Narrowneck Reef (6 h), South Stradbroke Artificial Reef (6 h), FAD 1 Gold Coast 24s (6 h), FAD 12 Gold Coast 36s (6 h), FAD 3 Gold Coast 36s (6 h), FAD 14 Gold Coast 36s (6 h), FAD 2 Gold Coast 50s (6 h), FAD 13 Gold Coast 50s (6 h), SFAD 1A Gold Coast shelf (6 h)
Southport – North St ramp (Broadwater)	Gold Coast Seaway Bar	Narrowneck Reef (6 h), South Stradbroke Artificial Reef (6 h), FAD 1 Gold Coast 24s (6 h), FAD 12 Gold Coast 36s (6 h), FAD 3 Gold Coast 36s (6 h), FAD 14 Gold Coast 36s (6 h), FAD 2 Gold Coast 50s (6 h), FAD 13 Gold Coast 50s (6 h), SFAD 1A Gold Coast shelf (6 h)
Labrador – Marine Pde ramp	No trips listed	–
Loders Creek public ramp	No trips listed	–
Runaway Bay – Ray St ramp (Biggera Ck)	No trips listed	–
Runaway Bay – Constance Esp ramp	No trips listed	–
Hollywell – Centenary Dr ramp	No trips listed	–
Paradise Point – Paradise Pde ramp	No trips listed	–
Hope Island – Chindrina St ramp (Coomera River)	No trips listed	–
Isle of Capri ramp (Nerang River)	No trips listed	–
Broadbeach Waters – T E Peters Dr ramp	No trips listed	–
Carrara ramp (Nerang River)	No trips listed	–

"Reach from here" lists the reefs and marks whose usual launch is this ramp, with the trip length out and back that we allow for when checking the bar and the open water. Tide places and marine rescue units for each ramp are on the boat ramps page.

What's biting here in October?

In peak season on the Gold Coast Broadwater, the Seaway and the Nerang River in October: dusky flathead, summer whiting, tailor, mangrove jack and 5 more. Of the 18 species in our Gold Coast guide that these spots reach, 9 peak in October 2026 and 7 more are in season.

Dusky flatheadPeak · best Aug–Nov
Summer whitingPeak · best Sep–Jan
TailorPeak · best May–Oct
Mangrove jackPeak · best Oct–Mar

Also in season: Blue swimmer crab, Snapper, Javelin / grunter, Flounder, Australian bonito, Yellowfin bream, Estuary cod, Mud crab, Trevally, Mulloway, Tarwhine and Luderick.

Out of season in October: Tiger squid (best May–Sep); Banana prawns (best Feb–Apr).

Seen now and then here, so not rated: King threadfin.

Every species and its size and bag limits: species guides. Seasons are closure-aware: a species in its closed season is never listed as in season, and its best months leave out any month with a closed day.

Species photos are used under Creative Commons or public-domain terms; see photo credits for each photographer and licence.

Can you fish here? Rules, green zones and safety

You don't need a licence to fish Queensland's tidal waters (licence rules), but size and possession limits and closed seasons apply. None of the 19 spots on this page is in a green zone. No fishing at Coombabah Lake.

Size and bag limits: Queensland tidal size and possession limits (our species guides were checked 8 Oct 2026). Fishing rules for South East Queensland.

No fishing here

No fishing at Coombabah Lake: Closed to all fishing: green zone MNP34 and closed water FRW-024 (the lake and the tidal Coombabah Creek above it).

Bars and open water

Trips to sea from here cross the Gold Coast Seaway Bar. MSQ: only experienced skippers with local knowledge should cross. Lifejackets must be worn crossing a designated bar in an open boat, or in an open area of any boat (the law since 1 Dec 2024, enforced from 1 Jul 2025; MSQ, checked 9 Oct 2026). We never call a crossing safe: check the conditions yourself.

Ocean rocks here (Gold Coast Seaway – south wall (The Spit) and Gold Coast Seaway – north wall (South Stradbroke)): wear a lifejacket on ocean rocks; never turn your back on the sea.

Marine rescue

Log on and off with MRQ Southport East (ask the unit for log-on details) and MRQ Southport West (ask the unit for log-on details). Emergency: 000 (112 from mobiles) · VHF 16 for distress (checked 8 Oct 2026).

Weather and zones

Read the official forecast and warnings in the Bureau of Meteorology's own words: Gold Coast Waters forecast and Current warnings. Marine park zones are a guide only, not for navigation: check the official zoning maps and app.

Other rules in parts of South East Queensland

Each rule's text says where it applies.

White spot disease movement area (Caloundra to the NSW border, 100 m off Bribie, Moreton and Stradbroke, inland to Ipswich): prawns, saltwater yabbies, marine worms and other crustaceans must not leave it unless cooked; decontaminate gear and boats when leaving. Exempt: spanner, three-spotted, blue swimmer and mud crabs, bugs, lobsters, red claw. Never use raw supermarket prawns as bait. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
Prawn-farm channels: Biosecurity Area 2 near Logan-area prawn farms (e.g. Jacobs Well, Pimpama, Steiglitz, Woongoolba, Southern Moreton Bay Islands): no line fishing in farm intake/drainage channels or within 100 m of them; crab pots, cast nets and yabby pumps are allowed. Follow the signs. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
Bivalves: pipis only: Bivalves and gastropods are no take in Moreton Bay and all tidal waters flowing into it, except pipis (30). Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
Coombabah Lake and Creek: Coombabah Lake and the tidal waters of Coombabah Creek upstream of the lake (Gold Coast): all fishing prohibited. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
Spearfishing: No spearfishing within 100 m of any public jetty from the Noosa River south; also banned in Lake Weyba/lower Noosa River, the lower Maroochy (incl. the Cod Hole), the Mooloolah below Nicklin Way, parts of Pumicestone Passage, Jumpinpin and the Southport Broadwater/Seaway (south of 27°42′S), Tallebudgera Creek and the artificial reef off Cowan Cowan. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
Lota–Wynnum worm digging: No worm digging on the Wynnum foreshore (Lota Creek to the Wynnum North Esplanade groyne); hand pumps only in Fish Habitat Areas. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
NSW waters: South of Point Danger (Tweed, Kingscliff, Cook Island) is NSW: NSW rules apply and a NSW recreational fishing licence is required (not covered here). Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.

Nearby fishing areas

Jumpinpin and Jacobs Well (about 19 km north)
Burleigh to Point Danger (about 21 km south)
Gold Coast offshore (about 23 km east)
Victoria Point and Redland Bay (about 37 km north)

Distances are between the middle of each area's spots.

Sources and checked dates

Marine park zones: Moreton Bay Marine Park zoning, © State of Queensland (Department of Environment and Science) 2021, CC BY 4.0, simplified; guide only, not for navigation (zones checked 8 Oct 2026).
Spot data checked 8 Oct 2026; area details checked 8 Oct 2026; bars checked 8 Oct 2026; marine rescue units checked 8 Oct 2026.
Species seasons: our South East Queensland guide (Gold Coast), rules checked 8 Oct 2026. Tide places name the Maritime Safety Queensland predictions each spot uses (CC BY 4.0).
Every source and licence: Sources and disclaimers.