The Surf Window

Acid Drop

Kauai, USA

Reef breakExpert

Kauai's most intense expert wave, a short, ledging reef break that drops suddenly over a dangerously shallow shelf, producing near-vertical barrels with almost no margin for error.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalN (0°)
WindowW–E (270°–90°)
Size3-8ft

Wind

NE

Offshore

Tide

Mid to high

LowMidHigh

Season

October–March

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Left (primarily)

Bottom

Extremely shallow reef

Shape

Short, ledging, pitching barrel, abrupt and intense

Length

40–80m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Expert
  • •Why: The take-off is over dry reef, rescue is difficult in this exposed location, and the hold-downs are severe.

Hazards

  • •Extremely shallow reef
  • •Remote location, difficult rescue
  • •Strong current
  • •Exposed coastline with no shelter

Local Tips

  • •One of the least-surfed expert waves in Hawaii precisely because of its severity and access difficulty.
  • •A semi-gun (6'6"–7'0") handles the steep, fast drop better than a standard shortboard.

Location

Map showing the location of Acid Drop in Kauai, USA

21.9964, -159.7769