Reef breaks

The shape

Reef breaks fire over coral or rock, producing steep, hollow waves — and barrels. They're fast, heavy, and unforgiving, which is exactly the appeal.

What to know

wave      steep, hollow, fast
danger    shallow reef below
skill     advanced
best tide  low to mid

Respect the reef

Read the tide before you paddle. A reef that's perfect at high tide can be ankle-deep and sharp at low.