What is a point break?
A point break is a wave that breaks along a point of land or a headland, peeling down the line in one direction. Point breaks can give long, consistent rides when the swell comes from the right direction.
Last updated · Surf & waves glossary
About Point break
The point can be rock, cobblestone or sand. Because the wave wraps around the same piece of coast each time, a good point break tends to break in the same place session after session.
Related terms
- Reef break
- A reef break is a wave that breaks over a coral or rock reef. The fixed bottom gives a consistent, often powerful wave, but shallow water over the reef makes wipeouts riskier.
- Beach break
- A beach break is a wave that breaks over a sandy bottom. Sandbanks shift with storms and seasons, so the peaks move around, and beach breaks are often the friendliest places to learn.
- Swell direction
- Swell direction is the compass direction a swell comes from. Each break works best on the swell directions that reach it unblocked and hit its reef, point or sandbar at the right angle.