Anyone could tell me what are the tides doing (current directions, strength...) along the Gold Coast between Coollangatta and South Straddie please?
A map or diagram would be great

I'm asking this because last time a lifeguard told me that the current on the Gold Coast was always going form South to the North whatever the tide...Is he right or wrong?

Here is the info that you need;

oceancurrent.imos.org.au/

oceancurrent.imos.org.au/sst.php

The lifeguard was probably referring to the East Australian Current, which predominantly runs North to South down the east coast of Aus. At different times of year, and different points you can get back eddies, clockwise eddies which run north along the coast, very handy for people travelling north by boat, they will tend to stick closer inshore, same with whales migrating north.

Thanks Morningsun, great maps!

I was takling about the very local current closer to the beach so as you said it's probably the counter currents going north as you said.Does the direction changes with the tides coming in or out or is it not affected by the tides?

Cheers

On the first day of a Northerly the "sweep" close to the beach will start moving from North to South and will strengthen over progressive Northerly days.

On the first day of a Southerly change the "sweep" close to the beach will start moving from South to North and will strengthen over progressive Southerly days until the Easterly "swing" day where the "sweep' will decrease slightly until the next Northerly sea breeze.

The "sweep" or "current" is unaffected by tidal movement.

Thanks a lot Greenleader.That make sense for me now.I'm coming from the Mediterranean sea where there is almost no current nor tide over there so I was not sure how it works.