Reef Surf Guide

Reef Surf Guide

The Reef is a little finger of lava that sticks out at the far south tip of the Ribeira Bay. North swells come in from deep water, peak up on an outside rock and fold over themselves down the line in one of the fastest, and most dangerous, tubes around.

There are no cutback sections, really, and very little room for error. If you blow the drop, you're up on sharp, dry reef. But if you're able to snag one off the locals and make the ledgey drop from behind the peak, you're in for a fantastic four-second view. Just remember to avoid going for that floater on the inside section.

There are a few other waves close by, if you're not in the mood for tight tubes and reef dances: Piedra Branca (White Rock) is a hollow, high-tide left about 100 yards south. There's a slightly mushy right just south of the Reef, and on bigger swells, a left breaks off the north edge.

*ERICEIRA WORLD SURFING RESERVE*

Reef sits in a protected surf ecosystem — preserving the coastline, culture, and access that keep it working. Here's why this break matters.