Kawana Beach is the main recreational section of the 9 km long beach that runs due south from Point Cartwright to Curmmundi Creek mouth. The main Noosa-Caloundra Road runs between 1 and 2 km west of the beach. There are six settlements/sections along the beach. The northern end of the beach, called Point Cartwright Beach (1549A) is backed by high rise apartments. This type of development continues south, with the addition of residential and holiday houses and canal estates developed in the 1970's along Buddina (1549B), Kawana (1549C) and Warana (1549D) Beaches. These settlements all parallel the beach, with a densely vegetated foreshore reserve separating them from the beach. South of Warana, the housing development continues at Bokarina (1549E), with only the southern 1 km bordering Wurtulla Beach (1549F) down to Curmmundi Creek likely to remain natural, as an environmental park.
The beach faces due east and receives waves that average 1.5 m for much of its length, decreasing slightly toward the creek mouth. These waves maintain a 200 m wide double bar system, with the inner bar usually attached to the beach and cut by rips every 250 to 300 m during and following higher waves. A continuous deep trough parallels the inner bar, with the outer bar cut by more widely spaced rips. There is also a strong permanent rip running out against Point Cartwright and tidal shoals and occasional deep channels at Curmmundi Creek mouth, particularly when the creek is open.
The beachfront drive makes a detour at Kawana around the Kawana Waters Surf Life Saving Club, which was established, along with the development, in 1980. The club house is backed by a broad, grassy reserve and a large parking area. The main shopping area is also just behind the beach.
SLSA provides this information as a guide only. Surf conditions are variable and therefore this information should not be relied upon as a substitute for observation of local conditions and an understanding of your abilities in the surf. SLSA reminds you to always swim between the red and yellow flags and never swim at unpatrolled beaches. SLSA takes all care and responsibility for any translation but it cannot guarantee that all translations will be accurate.