Sunshine Beach is the long, open ocean beach immediately south of Noosa headland, and one of the best reasons to leave the protected calm of Main Beach for a day. The sand runs uninterrupted for nearly fifteen kilometres south to Coolum, the swell is consistent, and the small suburb behind the dunes has a more laid-back, residential, less-polished feel than Noosa Heads.
There is a small commercial strip with a bakery, a couple of cafes, and the Sunshine Beach Surf Club, whose deck is one of the best spots in the area for a late afternoon beer with an ocean view. Park lifeguards patrol a central section in summer.