New Caledonia: The Surf

New Caledonia has over 200 reef passes. Each one is a potential surf break in the right conditions. Normally for our charters we visit the most consistent we know of. There are approximately 10 breaks within 8 hours sailing from the most southerly to the most northerly.

Froggie: Short left that works from 1m to 3m.

Skatepark: Long fast left that can start at the take off point at only 0.5m and grows as it swings down the reef to a solid 2m "skate park". Not for the faint hearted.

Light House: Fast, long, barrelling right-hander. Can get very shallow.

Dumbe: Left long fast barrel. When big the take off reminds me of small Teahupoo in Tahiti. Dredging from below sea level. Right long steady wall, can get barrelled and can be a race to keep up. Works in big swell on low tide.

Isie: Incredibly fast Right hand barrel. No time to think just go!!! Finishes in shallow water. - Booties recommended.

Ouano: Our pride and joy. When working this wave has three sections that link up. Takeoff outside and pull in for a short tube, race the wall with time for one reo before cutting back to line up for the second gaping barrel, come out and crack off two three more reos before racing into the third tube section and finish the wave with a few more reos before your legs collapse in from fatigue.

Love this wave, usually not much current. Ouano doing its stuff !!

 Surfing at Ouano is exclusively on coral reef. The break is located in a channel of the barrier reef, about ten km off shore and these can only be accessed by boat. The ride is worthwhile as the Ouano pass offers world class surfing. Jayak surfari speed boat service will take you out to the spot in 20 minutes. The boat takes you out to the left every day but on those rare days that the surf quality is not there the boat captain may decide to take you to other spots.

Ouano - The Left: Ouano left is the most consistent surf spot in New Caledonia.  It can be ridden from 2-15 feet with various swell directions (from South-West to South-East). The trade winds are off shore for this break so it can handle up to 15 knots of south-easterly winds. The 300m long break, can offer day-to-day variety from big barrels or playful long lines wrapping around the reef. It can be good on any tide but it is usually best with the upcoming tide. On the good days, three sections connect, making it a great ride, with slow cut back material sections between speedy barrel sections.

Ouano – The Right: .Ouano right is a fast wave with a great barrel section but it is less consistent and shorter than the left. This break is just across the pass from the left, about 5 minutes by speedboat. It is a good option with south-west swell direction from 4 to 10 feet, and no wind.

Nekweta - The Left: 15 Minutes away, a radical wave which works with south east to south west swells, it can be ridden up to eight feet. You will be highly impressed by the clarity of the water and the coral beneath. Turtles and mantra are often around.

Nekweta - The Right: Just 5 minutes away from Nekweta Surf Camp, a very consistent and fun wave, works with all swells from south east to west, can be surfed up to ten feet. A dugong often comes to say hello to the surfers.

Tenia: Loves a big swell. There are three breaks two lefts and a right. The left at the pass is the go. I have surfed this at a solid 3m and was shitting myself. I have also grovelled at 0.5m here. A great consistent spot with a beautiful island nearby.