Cannibal Bay
Exposed Catlins beach with several powerful peaks that turn hollow when the wind is offshore. Best on S to SSE swell with W to NW winds; rarely crowded.
Cannibal Bay surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Direction range
- 105° - 205°
- Size range
- 0.75m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.8m - 2.4m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 11s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Offshore range
- 225° - 315°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
12°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
1/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Cannibal Bay?
Cannibal Bay is a beach break in Catlins, New Zealand, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Cannibal Bay?
Cannibal Bay picks up swell from the ESE round to the SSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the S. It starts working at around 0.75m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.8 to 2.4m. Period matters too: aim for 11s or longer, as anything under 8s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Cannibal Bay?
A W wind is dead offshore at Cannibal Bay, and anything from the SW round to the NW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Cannibal Bay?
Cannibal Bay is at its best around mid tide.
How cold is the water at Cannibal Bay?
The water at Cannibal Bay averages around 12°C, so you'll want a 5/4mm with boots. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Cannibal Bay good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Things to watch for: sharks and strong rips.
How do I get to Cannibal Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is DUD, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive.
What other surf spots are near Cannibal Bay?
The closest breaks we track are Catlins River Mouth (3.1 km), Nugget Point Beach (4.6 km) and Kaka Point (9.4 km), handy when Cannibal Bay isn't working.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Catlins River Mouth
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • SSE swell, The Catlins
Nugget Point Beach
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • SSE swell, The Catlins
Kaka Point
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • SE swell, The Catlins
Purakaunui Bay (PK Bay)
🥝 Lefts and rights • Beachbreak • SSE swell, The Catlins
Long Point
🥝 Left-hand point • S swell magnet • The Catlins
Papatowai (Kings Rock)
🥝 Lefts and rights • Big-wave reef • S swell, The Catlins