Nusa Left (Karanas)
Nusa Left—also known as Karanas—is Kavieng's premier left-hand wave, a fast barreling tube that jacks out of deep water and immediately pitches over shallow reef. The wave offers a unique setup where you're floating in comfortable depth until suddenly dropping into a heavy, draining barrel that demands quick feet and confidence. Accessed by boat from Kavieng or the legendary Lissenung Island, Nusa Left delivers the goods when west swells hit the New Ireland coast. For surfers seeking uncrowded perfection in one of the world's most remote surf destinations, this is PNG at its finest.
Nusa Left (Karanas) surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Direction range
- 240° - 300°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 50° - 130°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1m
- Danger below
- 0.2m
Water temp
29°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Boat from Kavieng or Lissenung Island.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Nusa Left (Karanas)?
Nusa Left is a reef break in Kavieng, Papua New Guinea, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Nusa Left (Karanas)?
Nusa Left picks up swell from the WSW round to the WNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the W. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 12s 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 Nusa Left (Karanas)?
An E wind is dead offshore at Nusa Left, and anything from the NE round to the SE 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 Nusa Left (Karanas)?
Nusa Left is at its best around the low to mid tide, roughly 0.3m to 1m on the local chart. Below 0.2m it gets dangerously shallow.
When is the best time of year to surf Nusa Left (Karanas)?
The most reliable run of swell at Nusa Left comes Nov to Apr. Nov-Apr season. Reliable barrelling left.
How cold is the water at Nusa Left (Karanas)?
The water at Nusa Left averages around 29°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Nusa Left (Karanas) good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Very shallow end section. Deep water take-off.
How do I get to Nusa Left (Karanas)?
The nearest airport on our list is KVG. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $100 USD, but confirm with an operator). Boat from Kavieng or Lissenung Island.
What other surf spots are near Nusa Left (Karanas)?
The closest breaks we track are Nago Island (1.6 km), Long Long (1.9 km) and Pikinini (2.6 km), handy when Nusa Left isn't working. We track 5 spots around Kavieng in total.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Nov-Apr season. Reliable barrelling left.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Nago Island
🌴 Kavieng reef peak • L+R options • 300m rides possible
Long Long
🏄 200-500m walling right • Bells Beach vibes • Named for its length
Pikinini
🇵🇬 PNG's heaviest • 200m barrel rides • Extreme shallow reef
Ral Island
🧲 Kavieng's swell magnet • Consistent backup • Remote island vibes