Cheese Graters (Lord Howe Island)
- Advanced riders, Shortboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Cheese Graters is an exposed right-hand reef break off Lord Howe Island that offers quite consistent surf, but it is only appropriate for advanced surfers due to how shallow and sharp the reef is. The break is described as heavy and fast, with hollow, sectiony walls that can form barrels when the swell is right.
- Exposed, consistent reef surfing with powerful hollow sections
- Serious hazards: rocks, sharks, and sea urchins; very shallow reef
- Generally low crowds because the spot is remote
- Exposed reef break with quite consistent surf
- Can produce powerful, hollow sections when conditions align
- Generally low crowds due to remoteness and challenging access
- Extremely sharp and shallow reef hazards (rocks/urchins) with serious injury risk
- Remote location with advanced self-rescue expectations
- Very shallow water and strong currents/rips near reef passes
- Best conditions require correct swell and wind timing; offshore/onshore wind shifts can change wave quality
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, E
- Offshore directions
- W
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind influenced; both trade and synoptic systems can drive conditions around the island.
- Reliability
- 19% monthly blown
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- June
- Shadow Zones
- Protected by the island mountains in strong Easterly winds
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Reef
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Medium — Medium waves; surf can become very dangerous on larger swells due to shallow depth
- Launch
- Medium — Typically accessed via boat or a long paddle from lagoon beaches
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Remote access by boat or long paddle
Through the year
Generally low crowds due to remote location and difficult access
Rain is possible year-round, but winter months see more frontal activity
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break with quite consistent surf; a heavy and fast right-hand reef break located on the outer edge of the lagoon reef.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — Mid to high tide recommended to avoid the shallowest sections of the reef.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- East winds are offshore and groom the wave; West winds are onshore and cause chop
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size but becomes very dangerous due to depth
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, sectiony walls that can offer hollow barrels
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cheese Graters (Lord Howe Island) in the full forecast view.
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- Sharks
- Sea urchins
- Shallow water
- Strong currents
- Sharp coral reef, shallow rocks
- Remote location
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated kitesurfing rescue; limited support via local police and water police. Riders must be self-sufficient.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number: 000. Medical services available at Lord Howe Island Hospital (Gower Wilson Memorial Hospital).
Rules of the spot
Lord Howe Island is a Marine Park; respect all local environmental regulations and zones
- Marine Park regulations
- Remote access
- Spot is remote and never crowded due to isolation; advanced self-rescue required due to reef and hazards.
- The reef is extremely sharp and shallow; spot is named for the sharp reef.
- Watch for strong tidal currents and rips near reef passes.
- Boat access is highly recommended to reach the outer reef safely.
- Best surfed at mid to high tide to avoid the shallowest sections of the reef.
- Wear booties if concerned about your feet.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lord Howe Island
- Nearest Town
- Lord Howe Island
- Nearest Airport
- Lord Howe Island Airport (LDH)
- Parking
- Bicycle or car parking available at lagoon access points; no parking at the reef
- Public Transport
- Virtually non-existent for regional access; the island is strictly reached by air. On-island transport is primarily by bicycle or walking.
- Access
- Access only via Lord Howe Island; the reef is remote and reached by boat or a long, strenuous paddle from the western lagoon beaches. No road access to the break itself.
- Cost Level
- Luxury
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various guesthouses and lodges in the main island settlement
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and cafes are located in the main settlement, several kilometers away
- Equipment Rental:
- Basic surfboards may be available for rent in town, but bring your own high-performance gear
- Gear Storage
- Not available at public launches; typically not provided as a public amenity
- Gear Repair
- None / not available (no specialized kite or sail repair services reported)
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Lord Howe Island is an exclusive, remote destination with pristine, World Heritage protected natural environments; access and on-island transport are limited.
Famous for hand-feeding wild fish and snorkeling in crystal clear shallows.
Showcases the island's unique natural history, volcanic origins, and maritime heritage.
A challenging 8-hour guided trek to the island's highest point for panoramic views.
Historic lodge offering high-quality local dining experiences.
Viewing the world's southernmost coral reef without getting wet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Cheese Graters (Lord Howe Island)?
The best overall months at Cheese Graters (Lord Howe Island) are June.
Which wind directions work at Cheese Graters (Lord Howe Island)?
Cheese Graters (Lord Howe Island) works with W, E winds. Offshore directions are W.
What skill level is Cheese Graters (Lord Howe Island) suitable for?
Cheese Graters (Lord Howe Island) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.