What is a 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.
Last updated · Surf & waves glossary
About Reef break
Many reef breaks work best at a particular tide, and some are only safe for experienced surfers.
Related terms
- 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.
- 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.
- Tide (for surfing)
- The tide is the twice-daily rise and fall of the sea. Because it changes the depth over a reef or sandbar, many breaks only work — or are only safe — at certain stages of the tide.