Karitane Bar

The wave starts on the rivermouth shoal before arcing into the bay in long peeling lines that can range from solid and intense to soft and playful as the swell shifts through its narrow window. Any swell from the northeast to east will get in here and any big southeast swell will find its way, too. Look for any wind from the west to south Quadrant, because the bigger it gets the better this place breaks. (Sadly those very big days are rare.) The paddle back out can be a long one, so locals usually shoot across the sand isthmus and float back out the rivermouth. And if you have the skill, then look beyond the bar take-off and you’ll find a kelp-cloaked reef that can handle the very biggest of swells.