Shoals Reef / Alaska / United States

This is a place that takes a little effort to get to as access is only by boat, but experienced surfers who make the effort could find some excellent big waves.  Don’t come out here on a whim though, check the forecasts and ask the locals first to make sure it is worth the trip out. 

There’s no beach close, so forget that.  The water temperature ranges from 16c in summer to 4c in winter, so suit up accordingly.  On the plus side, it’s a pretty empty place due to the effort of getting here and you’ll rarely see anyone else out here.  If you do happen to see a group out, chances are they are from the surf school in Sitka so give them a wave.

The wind is good when it comes from the north, northwest, or northeast and the swell is best when building up from the southwest or south.  The lower the tide the better the wave, and it will start about 1m before building up to as much as 5m on a good day.  It breaks on a reef, both right and left, and as well as being big the waves are hollow and powerful – if you can handle them it’s a fantastic place to be.

Access here is by boat only, about 30 minutes from the nearest moorings, so don’t forget anything. 

Once again, Mother Nature is the danger here and we’re not talking about a couple of sea urchins.  Out here you’ve got sea lions and Orcas, so try not to get between them and food and you’ll be ok.