Surf spot guide · Otago & Southland, New Zealand
Grinding left pointbreak over rocky reef in remote Southland — barrels and walls on S swells. Farmland access only.
High Waves
Large waves up to 2.6m expected at Beatons. Peak conditions around 6:00 AM.
Exercise extreme caution when entering the water. Strong currents and large waves present. Warning valid until 9:00 PM.
Beatons is a left-hand reef break on the remote Southland coast west of Riverton, accessible only across private farmland - permission from the landowner is required before visiting. The wave grinds along an uneven rocky reef, producing a mix of barrel sections and open walls that stretch 200 to 500 metres when conditions align. S swell is optimal, with the wider SE to SW window also producing rideable surf. NE winds are offshore and essential for clean conditions. The spot works best at mid tide on an incoming push - too low and the reef becomes dangerously exposed, too high and the wave loses its form. Wave size ranges from 2 to 2.4m, and it is a good wave. This is expert territory: the rocky reef is shallow and unforgiving, and the remote location means there is no safety net if something goes wrong. Sharks are present in these southern waters and submerged reef is a constant hazard. The payoff for the access difficulty and skill requirement is genuine solitude - Beatons is one of the emptiest quality waves in New Zealand.
A 500-metre left grinding shallow reef where solitude demands both permission and expertise.
You’re seeing the next 3 days. A free account opens all 14, which is the difference between checking tomorrow and planning a trip.
Usually solo surfing. The farmland access and remote location ensure near-empty lineups on every session.
Remote grinding reef
Otago & Southland
Grinding left pointbreak throwing heavy barrels over rocky reef on S swells — farmer permission required.
Otago & Southland
Left reefbreak on large S swells near Monkey Island — gateway to the virgin breaks of Fiordland.
Otago & Southland
Beginner-friendly beachbreak with a walling right point at Nicks Point — remote Southland solo surfing territory.
+1 MORE →Ask farmland permission before accessing. Mid incoming tide only. NE wind essential. S swell is the target. Expert reef knowledge required.
HAZARDS · KNOW BEFORE YOU PADDLE
Only accessible across farmland — ask permission from the landowner before crossing. Roadside parking with restricted access. No facilities.
Open in Maps