Lighthouse Reef

📍 Local Knowledge

Lighthouse Reef in South Canterbury is an exposed beach and reef break that doesn’t work very often and has no strong seasonal pattern. The best surf occurs with an east-northeast swell and offshore winds from the west-northwest, typically during winter—most often in August—when clean, rideable waves are more likely. Groundswells and windswells are equally likely, with both left and right reef breaks on offer. When conditions line up it can become crowded, so surfers should take care around strong rips, exposed rocks, local surfers, and the potential presence of sharks.