Ral Island
Ral Island serves as Kavieng's swell magnet—the spot that works when everywhere else goes flat. This north-facing reef picks up any trace of swell moving through the region, providing consistent waves when the more famous breaks need bigger energy. The wave itself offers fun, user-friendly peaks over coral reef, making it an excellent warm-up spot or backup option for days between swells. The remote island setting delivers that classic PNG experience: empty lineups, crystal-clear water, and the satisfaction of surfing waves most people will never see.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (350°)
- Direction range
- 330° - 30°
- Size range
- 0.5m - 2m
- Ideal size
- 1.2m - 1.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 10s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Offshore range
- 140° - 220°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 1.5m
Water temp
29°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Boat from Kavieng.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Ral Island?
Ral Island is a reef break in Kavieng, Papua New Guinea, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Ral Island?
Ral Island picks up swell from the NNW round to the NNE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the N. It starts working at around 0.5m and handles up to about 2m, with the sweet spot around 1.2 to 1.6m. Period matters too: aim for 10s or longer, as anything under 6s 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 Ral Island?
A S wind is dead offshore at Ral Island, and anything from the SE round to the SW 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 Ral Island?
Ral Island is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.5m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Ral Island?
The most reliable run of swell at Ral Island comes Nov to Apr. Swell magnet - works when everywhere else is flat.
How cold is the water at Ral Island?
The water at Ral Island 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 Ral Island 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). Remote island location.
How do I get to Ral Island?
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.
What other surf spots are near Ral Island?
The closest breaks we track are Long Long (4.8 km), Nago Island (5.5 km) and Pikinini (6.7 km), handy when Ral Island isn't working. We track 5 spots around Kavieng in total.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Swell magnet - works when everywhere else is flat.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Long Long
🏄 200-500m walling right • Bells Beach vibes • Named for its length
Nago Island
🌴 Kavieng reef peak • L+R options • 300m rides possible
Pikinini
🇵🇬 PNG's heaviest • 200m barrel rides • Extreme shallow reef
Nusa Left (Karanas)
🌊 Deep water takeoff • Shallow barrel • PNG perfection