Rivermouth (Southsides)
Also known as: Margaret Rivermouth, Southsides
Consistent, forgiving rivermouth peaks (a pro nursery) plus the reef of Southsides - the group-friendly, all-wind alternative to the Main Break.
Best time to surf
Year-round; Rivermouth among the most consistent spots in the area; autumn-winter-spring for size
Shoulder season: High - Rivermouth almost always produces a couple of waves; Southsides consistent
The wave
Break type: Beach/rivermouth + reef
Bottom: Mixed - Rivermouth sand-influenced beach/rivermouth; Southsides reef (south side of the Surfers Point reef)
Wave direction: Rivermouth punchy peaks (left and right); Southsides reef lefts and rights
Typical wave length: Rivermouth short/punchy; Southsides medium reef rides
Ideal swell: Predominant SW groundswell; both draw any swell; Southsides handles serious size like Mainbreak
Ideal wind: Rivermouth surfable in all wind directions (a blown-out-Mains fallback); Southsides E offshore, tolerant S-N
Working tide: Rivermouth works all tides; Southsides reef mid-to-high (regional; unconfirmed)
Difficulty & skill
Difficulty (1-5): 3 (Rivermouth) / 4 (Southsides)
Skill level: Rivermouth beginner-to-intermediate friendly and consistent; Southsides intermediate-advanced reef
Options for a mixed group: A strong split option - Rivermouth is the accessible, forgiving choice (school base); Southsides absorbs stronger surfers away from the Main Break crowd
Safety & hazards
Rivermouth rips/currents and rocks; Southsides reef, urchins, rocks; sharks (WA great-white region); Southsides handles serious size
Margaret River town ~10 min; nearest hospital Margaret River / Busselton Health Campus; Surf Life Saving WA; remote heavy-wave setting; 000
Crowd, access & conditions
Crowd & localism: Rivermouth is a local proving ground (produced pros Jack Robinson, Shaun Manners); Southsides less crowded than Mainbreak
Access & parking: Prevelly / Margaret River Mouth beach parking; Southsides accessed from the Surfers Point car park area
Surf schools & rental: Josh Palmateer's Surf Academy at the Rivermouth (boards, bodyboards, SUPs, kayaks, wetsuit hire); Margaret River Surf School and Yallingup regionally
Water temp & wetsuit: Cold-temperate ~16-22 C (peak ~22 C Mar, ~16-18 C Sep); 3/2 steamer most of year, 4/3 plus boots in winter
Crowds, access and local conditions change - confirm locally before you paddle out.
Around the break
Facilities: Prevelly beach car park, toilets, beach/river hire, cafes in Prevelly/Gnarabup
For non-surfers: Margaret River wineries and breweries, caves (Mammoth, Lake, Jewel, Ngilgi), Boranup karri forest, Prevelly/Gnarabup beaches
Location
Nearest hub: Margaret River (WA)
-33.9630, 114.9960 (approximate) (; Southsides ~-33.974, 114.991)
Live conditions
Today's swell, wind and tide are a runtime layer - check the live sources: MRBTA local's guide (Rivermouth, Southsides); Surf-Forecast Margaret River Mouth/South Side; Josh Palmateer's Surf Academy
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand surf report. Coordinates are approximate.