About

A great wave, fast and powerful, no one in the water (no surfers at least); but as with the whole area its not the sharks which are the main danger(I have surfed almost everyday in the area for two years and I haven't seen any living sharks in the surf); its the huge aggressive sea-lions which are the problem. They enjoy chasing surfers - not a fun experience!! However, the end result is thankfully only rarely bitings!

Also, if you are not local, and you come with a 4x4, take care where you leave it: slashed tires and waxed cars is not unheard of - its not frequent but can happen. On the otherhand cars never get broken into. Overall, an isolated atmosphere - brave are those who go in alone at this spot!

Atmosphere:
Often the only offshore spot in the area, when the wind turns SW - which is the dominant wind direction. Surf the extreme south of the bay at low tide - the cove, which is a long walk, or needs a 4x4. Its usually woth going, even if the main beach is unsurfable, the cove can be completely different, clean, offshore. A great session waiting for you, SW swell, SW wind

Additional Info:
A very fast, steep and hollow wave (lefts and rights) - tubes are a common sight. Sandbanks are constant as a tidal inlet provides the appropriate supply of sand and flow, keeping the break at a constant position.

Can be surfed even in howling SW winds when you go to the very far protected corner. Here, the easy take off is followed by fast tubing right sections. Crowds are seldom, the surfs sorts out itself.

Feels very exposed and sharky. Mind the farmer and the sea lions.

Location

Access

A solid half hour by car from the nearest town (Dunedin), and then 20 mins on foot. Dirt roads. There is a sign near the Portobello township, on the Otago peninsula. Follow the sign and then go along Hoopers Inlet to the end.

Wave Characteristics

Ideal Conditions

Crowd

Dangers

Localism, Sharks

Videos

None