The 21 kilometres (13 mi) by 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) sized island is the smaller one of the two Stradbroke Islands and lies very close to the mainland.

South Stradbroke Island is a sand island only 200 metres from the northern end of the Spit. South Straddie offers superb surfing, swimming and bushwalking. Native wildlife abound this 1800-hectare conservation park which is ideal for hiking, rock climbing and ocean fishing.

In the northeast you'll find the Tipplers Passage that separates the island from many small islands near the mainland. The eastcoast borders the Coral Sea. Gold Coast Ferries operates a ferry service to the island.

South Stradbroke Island consists mainly of sand dunes, remnant livistona rainforest and melaleuca wetlands.