Cannibal Bay

📍 Local Knowledge

Cannibal Bay in the Catlins is an exposed beach break with fairly consistent surf that can be surfed year-round. The best surf occurs with a south-southeast swell and offshore winds from the northwest, typically during winter—most often in May—when clean, rideable waves are most reliable. Waves arrive from both local windswells and distant groundswells, the beach produces both left and right-handers, and it works well across all stages of the tide. The lineup is rarely crowded, but surfers should take care due to strong rips and the potential presence of sharks.