Graveyards (Yakutat Coast)

Graveyards is a remote, very sheltered beach-and-point break tucked inside the Yakutat estuary area. The break is primarily a rocky setup where waves break over uneven reef and sand, offering lefts and rights when the swell wraps into the bay entrance. Surf quality is infrequent and highly condition-dependent: in January, clean surfable waves are reported as only about 7% of the time, with the spot also experiencing a meaningful share of “blown out” conditions. Wind performance is most favorable when the wind comes from the east-northeast, which can help groom the water, but overall wind reliability is described as low. When a sufficient West–southwest swell arrives and wraps into the entrance, the spot can be powerful and is capable of handling very large swells. Reports also note it can work from small sizes up to very big conditions (including triple overhead), but it still requires a massive swell to begin working well. Typical ride opportunities are described as medium length when the swell is large enough to wrap. Safety is the top priority: hazards include rocks and extreme rips/strong tidal currents, combined with extreme cold-water exposure that can lead to hypothermia quickly. There are no lifeguards, and emergency support is limited—so visitors should be self-reliant, bring appropriate cold-water protection (hood, gloves, boots), and be mindful of the nearby historic cemetery area.