Woodpecker Bay is located on the West Coast between Punakaiki and Charleston and the surf break is at the southern end of Woodpecker Bay by Seal Island. When the swell is big enough it will wrap around Seal Island and produce some big wally waves on the inside of the island, with both right and left handers on offer. Intermediate to expert surfers. Get your paddling arms ready and be careful round the rocks.
Safety Bay is located on the West Coast between Punakaiki and Charleston and the surf break is near the southern end of Woodpecker Bay just south of Seal Island. Good fun punchy beach break on a sandy beach. Gets heaps of swell, usually better on a smaller day. Great for any level of surfer.
Strongman is located below the Strongman Mine Memorial just north of Rapahoe at Nine Mile, Greymouth. Its a sandy, beach break that tends to be slightly more shelted than Rapahoe giving the swell a chance to line better. There is a left point off the rocks/cliff at the south end of the beach, which can barrel left and peel down the beach. It can be quite shifty and peaky at time, but there are good fun ones out there, both rights and lefts. Ok for surfers of all levels.
Point Elizabeth is located just north of Greymouth at Rapahoe. From Greymouth head across the Grey River and continue north on State Highway 6 Seven Mile Road. Continue through Rununga and when approaching Rapahoe turn left before the river to park in the gravel parking area for the walking track. From here its a walk along the beach towards the point.
Fox River is a left-hand point break on a mostly sandy beach off the rocks at the Fox River Mouth. The wave breaks over the rocks at the southern end of the beach, then peels across the beach. It is a long, wally wave with several sections to play. You can go through the cave across the river on the side of the point and come out the end of the point to paddle out behind the rocks. Good for surfers of all levels. River mouths often have strong currents and rips, so be extra careful.
Punakaiki River is a sandy beach with 'Pancake Rocks' at the point at the northern end of the beach. This is a very popular tourist spot. Park and paddle out on the northern side of the river. The beach features a beach break with several peaks to choose from, with both right and left-handers. The wave can be gnarly, with a steep drop-in and hollow pits. Best for intermediate to advanced surfers. River mouths often have strong rips and currents, so please surf with care.
Punakaiki Beach is a sandy beach with the popular 'Pancake Rocks and Blowholes' on the rocky point at the southern end of the beach. This is a beach break with several peaks to choose from. Usually best on the left-hander off the blowhole rocks, southern end of the beach at low tide. The wave is usually a bit fat, but punchy and fun. At high tide you get a bounce back off the shore. Good for learners or all abilities. Punakaiki is quite sheltered from strong winds and picks up good swell. It is usually bigger than other spots.
The Channel is a sandy, beach break on the north side of the Grey River at Cobden. Known as the beach break along the beach from the Cobden break water. Several peaks down the beach to choose from with both right and left handers. Can be quite shifty and peaky, but there are good solid pits on offer, with some long rides possible. Can hold big swells, but can make for a hard paddle out when big. Suitable for all levels of surf, or when bigger best for intermediate to expert riders.
Wavetraps is a small beach just inside the river mouth of the Grey River. The beach is sand with stones higher up and a rocky breakwater. The wave is a hollow, short right hander. Requires the right swell angle to get in there as its fairly sheltered. Good when all the other beachs are massive and closing out, Wavetraps will just be getting a nice, smaller wave. Suitable for intermediate to expert surfers. Watch out for debris floating down the river and the sewer pipe outflow near by.
