Hello,I just moved from Finland to Brisbane and I'm looking for a place to stay. I have no idea about windsurfing spots of Brisbane, but I would want to rent an apartment near a good spot, where I could find other windsurfers as well. My gf is a beginner, so I would appreciate easy spot with minimal risk of sharks etc. Sand beach is a plus. On the other hand, distance to Brisbane center should not be too long, and Gold Coast might be too far... Would, for example, Wynnum be a good choice?I have spent some time in internet seeking information, but it is really difficult. I'm very thankful for any helpful comment. BTW. after the dark winter period of Finland, this place looks like a paradise 
Redcliffe Peninsula, sandy beaches no mud not tide affected, train from Sandgate to city and in 2016 train from here to city.
If you want to be close to the city as well as reletively close to Morton bay then Bulimba might be a good choice. It is:
- 17min to wynum
- 20 min to manly
- 25 min to wellington point
- 12 min to the city by car or ferry
- 67 min to the gold coast
It has a mix of low and medium density housing and a interesting shopping, cafe and restaurant district.
Redcliffe, Brighton or Sandgate. Then you are close to the Sunshine coastCoast, Bribie Island and Calondra on weekends. The southern bay like some have said is not ideal for wind strength or water quality and it just more convenient because they live on the south of brisbane. I live in Brighton and kite now but use to sailboard, I can rig up in my front yard and go for a sail. I work just next to the city and ride my bike to work or can walk to the train or its a 30 minute trip at peak hour by car.
Bayside - Wellington point, manly, Wynnum, victoria Point are good for both learners and advanced windsurfers. Welcome to brisbane There is a great community of windsurfers here
cheers
Morgan
Select to expand quoteJohn340 said..
If you want to be close to the city as well as reletively close to Morton bay then Bulimba might be a good choice. It is:
- 17min to wynum
- 20 min to manly
- 25 min to wellington point
- 12 min to the city by car or ferry
- 67 min to the gold coast
It has a mix of low and medium density housing and a interesting shopping, cafe and restaurant district.
Bloody expensive 
I live in the South side pretty close to the BIG shopping mall Westfield Garden City. I love this area. I have more food/shop/public transport options than living in the Bayside. I moved to Bayside before mainly because its close to Wellington Point, Manly...etc. However, if sometimes you don't wanna drive or if you don't wanna cook, you found public transport not sufficient and food options outside are limited.
There are more shopping centres in where I am living now: Westfield Garden City, Sunnybank Plaza, Market Square, etc. More food options in Westfield and more Asian food in Sunnybank. Gyms and swimming pools are also nearby.
It's only 20-30drive to the Brisbane city. 30min drive to those Bayside sailing spots, 50min+ drive to Southport, Gold Coast. If for some reasons you don't have car to drive, there are heaps of bus routes in the Bus Exchange next to the Westfield Garden City. Buses basically go everywhere, it takes about 25-30 to the Queens Street Mall in the Brisbane City. So CONVENIENCE is the key point. The only thing not good is far from Sunshine Coast. (2 hour drive?)
Welcome to Brisbane
Thank you for many helpful comments. It seems like I need to decide between north and south. I still have many questions and I hope you will have patience to answer some of them: First, is there difference in safety aspect between sandgate and wynnum area? Second, how can we know when it is save to go to water? Third, Is there storage on any beach to where we could leave our equipment? Fourth, which spots involve sand beach? Fifth, Is there notable difference in water quality between the spots? And finally, which one is the best if I would want to ride waves every now and then?Thank you in advantage. This is surprisingly difficult when everything is different to that I have used to. I have 10 days left in my current accommodation and after that I need to have my final apartment, so time is limited. Anyway, it is good to see that there is such active community of windsurfers.
Are you one/both working or studying in city center? Part time or full time? What's your plan for transport - public or buy a $500 commodore/falcon? How do you like travel/commuting?
You've had good answers above, but the nicest place to live would be Caloundra if you can make the journey work - if you want lifestyle, stunning beaches, clean water, etc. But it's much further commute, drive to a train, say 45m drive 1hr train (each way). OK, probably worth it, if say 3-4 days per week in city.
Bris beaches -
South - Wellington point - better water quality than north bris, but more sharp rocks (might need booties) and tourists. Train nearby-ish
North - Sandgate - bay water, brown silty sand, very clean bottom (no rock), loads of space/shallows, perfect beginners, train station 35mins to city
North - Redcliffe - better sand, bay water, goes deep quicker generally, got to get 15m drive to train station at sandgate
Sharks - don't worry, we don't.
If you are an advanced windsurfer and like rough water and jumping and gybing in wind-waves then go to the north side so you have easy access to Redcliffe. It has deep water, big swells, and is most open to the wind. The beaches are sandy with a few rocks here and there and not affected by tide.
There is no flat, shallow water however, but at low tide on quiet mornings it can be OK for learners especially if they are past the falling off every 30 seconds stage.
As far as safety goes the conditions vary from rough to really rough, to huge, so your gear needs to be in good condition. Most of us up there wear some kind of buoyancy aid and we check and change universal joints often.
The bay water is green because it's fed by estuaries and has a lot of microscopic life in it. In North-easters it stays pretty clean and sparkling. In South-easters it goes a bit murky with stirred up sediment.
For the best flat water for learners you need to go to Wellington point (muddy) or up to Golden Beach Caloundra (clean white sand). About an hour to each way from Redcliffe or Sandgate by car.
Here's some pics of sailing at Redcliffe in this thread:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Queensland/Queens-Beach-Nov-24/
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Queensland/Queens-Beach-Friday-2-Dec/
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Queensland/Queens-Beach-Thanks-Sau/
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Queensland/How-to-fix-the-Xmas-over-eating-problem-Queens/
And this isn't a new question so see the replies in this thread:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Queensland/some-advice-and-info-needed-please/
The next windy day try to come up to Queens beach at Redcliffe and introduce yourself. We're a friendly bunch and like to get new sailors to join us.
Lots to see and spots in south east Queenslsnd. Your going to be driving allot to see them all but they are worth it. Given this I'd check into the city area then u have very easy work week commute maybe just walk or bike then your up for weekend missions everywhere.
Otherwise check out of city all together and try living the dream. Stradbroke Island, Moffat Beach, Currumbin Ally.
Select to expand quotekiteboy dave said..
Are you one/both working or studying in city center? Part time or full time? What's your plan for transport - public or buy a $500 commodore/falcon? How do you like travel/commuting?
You've had good answers above, but the nicest place to live would be Caloundra if you can make the journey work - if you want lifestyle, stunning beaches, clean water, etc. But it's much further commute, drive to a train, say 45m drive 1hr train (each way). OK, probably worth it, if say 3-4 days per week in city.
Bris beaches -
South - Wellington point - better water quality than north bris, but more sharp rocks (might need booties) and tourists. Train nearby-ish
North - Sandgate - bay water, brown silty sand, very clean bottom (no rock), loads of space/shallows, perfect beginners, train station 35mins to city
North - Redcliffe - better sand, bay water, goes deep quicker generally, got to get 15m drive to train station at sandgate
Sharks - don't worry, we don't.
We are both working full time in St Lucia. And yes, we are going to buy a cheap car, but I'm afraid Caloundra is too far. However, thank you for the hint, we will visit Caloundra in some weekend. Currently, we have found some nice apartments in manly, but sandgate sounds even more interesting because of the sand bottom and beginner friendliness. Just nice furnished house is missing :/
Ok, no need to worry about sharks. How about jellies? Should we know something about them?
Heaps of jellyfish over the north side. not good for spending time in the water. Bayside and Victoria point is a better option for what you want
Good to see you made it to a great location in Australia, and at the right time as our trade winds will start soon, when we get a good SE wind, you should come down to the Gold Coast Currumbin when there is wind and waves it is one of the best places in the world to sail, and if we get a South wind we go further south to flat rock at Lenox head.
Look forward to sailing with you.
I'd say stay at st Lucia in cheap student accommodation, buy a 2k camper van, get away every weekend, sleep in Van in national parks/campgrounds..
I used t live and work there (UQ) Its too far from the water. You will have an hours hack through traffc to get to the beach.
Ok. I bought an apartment in Toowong and then I was going to buy a nice windsurfing car. The reason why you haven't seen a lost Finn wandering around the coast is I decided instead break bones of my right foot and stay out of water at least 1 month 
Squash should be banned 
No probs guy, it's Irukandji season at this time of year. There have been a few people put in hospital from swimming at wello. Count your self lucky...
