Stewart Island – Saber Reef

📍 Local Knowledge

Stewart Island – Saber Reef in Southland is an exposed reef break with very consistent surf and waves breaking both left and right, working throughout the year. The best surf occurs with a southeast swell and offshore winds from the north-northeast, typically during winter—most often in January—when clean, rideable waves are most common. Swell sources are evenly split between local windswells and distant groundswells, and the lineup remains largely uncrowded even when conditions are good. Surfers should be cautious of urchins, strong rips and undertow, exposed rocks, and the presence of sharks.