Oamaru Harbour.

Oamaru Harbour produces a short, fast right-hander that breaks off the northeastern point of the harbour wall when a decent NE to SE swell pushes into the coastline. The wave runs over a mix of uneven reef and sand, delivering a punchy but brief ride of under 50 metres. Quality is rated poor - this is not a destination wave, but rather a novelty option for North Otago surfers when the swell lines up. The spot only breaks a handful of times per month at best. When it does fire, mid to high tide on an incoming push fills out the shape and the wave can handle 3 to 2.4m of swell. SW winds provide the offshore, and a NE swell angle is optimal. The harbour setting introduces boat traffic as a real consideration - vessels use this entrance regularly and surfers need to maintain awareness. Rip currents, sharks, and submerged reef are additional hazards. The beaches south of the headland offer a more accessible alternative when the harbour wall isn't breaking. Crowds are rare - the combination of inconsistency and low quality means few surfers bother to check it.

Fifty metres of punchy reef-and-sand right off the harbour wall, maybe monthly.