8 Best Left Point Breaks for Intermediate Surfers
Point breaks are the four-leaf clovers of the sea. Less common than beach and reef breaks, they are famously known for producing the longest, most uniform breaking waves in the sea. Here are the 8 top left point breaks found around the world for intermediate surfers looking to catch the ride of their life.
Pavones, Costa Rica
Considered one of the longest waves in the world, Pavones is an iconic left point break that brings leg burner a whole new meaning. When the stars align, aka with a south or southwest swell on a mid to low tide with north to northeast wind, this wave can produce up to 3 minute long rides! On small days this break is gentle enough for beginners, however, with triple overhead potential, this break is the perfect playground for advanced surfers as well. The best for intermediate surfers is typically between the 4 to 8 ft range on a mid to low tide.
Raglan, New Zealand
Gaining fame in the surf film classic, Endless Summer, Raglan is a world-class left break divided into three points: Indicator, Whale, and Manu. Raglan pumps out perfect peeling lefts on a southwest swell with mid to low tide and favors a southeast wind. Waves can get heavy on bigger southwest swells, so we recommend wave heights up to the 6 or 7 ft range for intermediate surfers.
Pasta Point, Maldives
The crown gem of the Maldives, Pasta Point is a world-class left that produces tubes and long, leg-burning rides. It is a consistent wave that picks up most swell and isn’t super impacted by wind. That said, the best conditions are with a southwest swell and north to northeast wind. A mid to high tide is best to avoid the coral reef hazard, and we recommend a wave height up to 8 ft. When this break is pumping, it has double overhead potential becoming a big, powerful beast.
Saint Leu, Reunion
Although this break is challenging and expensive to get to, and there is a strong, sometimes intimidating, local presence (respect and humility are a must), the perfect left barreling wave Saint Leu produces makes it worth the effort. This break performs best on a southwest swell with a southeast wind. It is not super impacted by the tide, but watch out for reef when it gets low. The wave is best for intermediate surfers with reef surfing experiences up to the head high or 5-7 ft range, any bigger, and the wave is a much more challenging ride.
Elands Bay, South Africa
On the west coast of Cape Town lies a beautiful left point break. Once you get past the chilly water, wind, and crowds, Elands produces some incredible barrel sections with lots of play potential. It does best on a west to northwest swell with south to southeast wind and a mid to high tide. For intermediate surfers, the best wave height will be up to the 8 ft range, as more swell pushes through the waves gets heavy and are a much more advanced ride.
Mundaka, Spain
Thanks to the perfect combination of river and ocean currents, Mundaka is one of the cleanest barreling left point breaks found around the world. The farthest peak is typically run by a local pack, but even inside scraps are world-class and have plenty of potential for barrelage. The wave is best with a northwest swell, a south wind, and a low tide. It holds steady at double overhead size, however, for intermediates, we recommend up to the head high to just overhead range, about to 7 to 10 ft.
Chicama, Peru
Chicama has been in the running for the longest wave for years. The forever peeling left point break is something from dreams, and when this wave goes off, you’ve never seen a sight so beautiful in your life. The best part about this wave is all skill levels can enjoy themselves depending on size. It is good on all tides, but turns on with a southwest swell and prefers a southeast wind or glassy conditions. Though it can get big, Chicama isn't a heavy wave, so it is an ideal spot for intermediate surfers to get comfortable in bigger surf, up to the 10 ft range.
Cherating, Malaysia
Cherating is an almost forgotten, uncrowded left-hand point break in the South China Sea side of Malaysia. When it turns on, between December and March, it produces kilometer-long peeling lefts that bring tears to your eyes and lactic acid to your thighs. This wave favors a northeast swell with west to northwest wind and works on almost all tides. It is the center of surf culture in the area, and with favorable conditions, it is comparable to a left-hand twin of Noosa Heads. Recommended wave height for intermediates is within the 4 to 7 ft range.
Did reading about the best left point breaks for intermediate surfers get you frothing? Remember to check out the Jamie O’Brien Surf App here for the best intermediate surf coaching anytime, anywhere.
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