Roches Noires
Saint-André, Reunion Island
Reef breakExpert
One of Reunion Island's most dangerous and respected waves, Roches Noires is a heavy, fast, extremely shallow reef break on the island's exposed northeast coast, a world-class but utterly unforgiving barrel reserved for elite surfers only.
Typical Conditions
The Surf Window
Swell Window
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Wind
W
Offshore
Tide
Mid tide only
LowMidHigh
Season
May–October
JFMAMJJASOND
The Wave
Type
Right (primary)
Bottom
Reef (very shallow, sharp lava)
Shape
Thick, heavy, pitching barrel, one of the hardest-breaking waves in the Indian Ocean
Length
30–60m (short but intense)
Skill Level
- •Who it's for: Expert
- •Why: The reef is inches deep, the barrel is thick and throws hard, multiple serious injuries and fatalities have occurred here
Hazards
- •Extremely shallow lava reef
- •Holds-downs that last multiple waves
- •Shark risk, Reunion has very high shark attack rates
- •Emergency services are slow to reach this location
Local Tips
- •This is not a spot to trial, only surf here if you have proven experience at similar heavyweight reefs
- •Watch from the cliff first, the wave looks impossible from above, which should tell you everything
Location
-20.9667, 55.6500