Despretes (New Georgia)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Despretes is an exposed right-hand reef break in the New Georgia area, known for producing pretty consistent surf. The break is described as a reef system with peeling, right-leaning waves, and it tends to work best when the correct southwest groundswells line up with the site. The spot is also characterized as shallow over reef, with sharp coral hazards and typical reef-pass currents. Because conditions are exposed, riders should expect a harsher environment than sandy beaches—choosing the right tide and staying alert for water-depth changes is essential for safe entries. Wind-wise, ideal conditions are reported with winds from the east-northeast (trade-wind seasonality), with light onshore/offshore requirements for clean grooming. Summer is consistently identified as the optimal surfing season, and locally the spot is described as rarely crowded. Access and safety planning are critical: the spot is remote and generally requires boat transport from Munda (or nearby access points), with no lifeguards and very limited rescue support. The nearest basic medical care is in Munda, and major incidents may require evacuation.
- Exposed right-hand reef break
- Typically consistent surf
- Rarely crowded
- Coral hazards and shallow water over reef
- Exposed right-hand reef break with consistent surf
- Low crowding due to remoteness
- Clear water conditions reported for the wider area
- Shallow reef with sharp coral hazards
- Requires boat access and remote self-sufficiency
- Very limited rescue availability
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- ESE
- Offshore directions
- E, ENE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Prevailing trade-wind pattern reported for the seasonality around the spot.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- Likely in the lee of the island
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Reef
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Big — Boat-based or difficult shore launch
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult
Through the year
Rarely crowded due to its remote location.
December to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed right-hand reef break with pretty consistent surf.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Requires light North or Northeast winds to be offshore and clean.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but becomes heavy and breaks further out.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can offer fairly long rides when the swell is lined up correctly.
- Ride Length Details
- Fairly long rides when the swell is lined up correctly.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Despretes (New Georgia) in the full forecast view.
Despretes (New Georgia) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–11 ktsGusts 16 kts
- Direction
- SE125°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2711 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–0.8 m6s period
- Temperature
- 26–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Despretes (New Georgia) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 16 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 0.5–0.8 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
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
- Coral
- Sharp coral
- Shallow water
- Potential for strong currents
- Remote location
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue availability reported for the spot; regional rescue services are very limited.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facility is in Munda (Helena Goldie Hospital). Major emergencies may require evacuation to Honiara.
Rules of the spot
Respect the local villages and seek permission if required by surf charters.
- Remote access; boat access usually required.
- No parking; water access only.
- Watch the tide carefully to ensure enough water depth over the reef.
- Most visitors arrive via surf charter or boat from Munda.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Munda
- Nearest Town
- Munda
- Nearest Airport
- Munda Airport (MUA)
- Parking
- No parking; water access only.
- Public Transport
- Mainly boat-based transport; limited road network on New Georgia Island.
- Access
- Accessible only by boat from Munda or Gizo, typically via surf charter or local hire.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Pijin
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Surf camps or guesthouses in Munda.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities at the spot; provisions must be brought from Munda.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available; bring all your own gear.
- Gear Storage
- None available at the spot.
- Gear Repair
- None available locally; visitors must bring personal repair kits.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Despretes (New Georgia)?
The best overall months at Despretes (New Georgia) are June, July, August, September. The best wind months are May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Despretes (New Georgia)?
Despretes (New Georgia) works with ESE winds. Offshore directions are E, ENE.
What skill level is Despretes (New Georgia) suitable for?
Despretes (New Georgia) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.