The Island (Island Bay)

📍 Local Knowledge

The Island (Island Bay) in Wellington is an exposed reef break that only works once in a while, with summer in particular tending to be flat. The best conditions occur when a South-southeast swell, consisting of a mix of groundswells and windswells, combines with an offshore wind direction from the Northwest. There is no beach break here, but rather a right-hand reef break that offers no shelter from cross-shore breezes. It is unlikely to be too crowded, even when the surf is up, though surfers must take care to avoid the rocks. The best time of year for surfing The Island with consistent, clean waves is during the winter, particularly the month of May.