In Cactus, South Australia, next to a shark-filled channel, lies Caves: A world-class right-hand reef break. Caves is a regional classic, renowned for the risks and rewards that come with it. The wave breaks over a shallow and sharp rock shelf, serving up massive, kegging, and insanely hollow caves (pun intended). This spot is heavy and downright dangerous as the waves thunder down the rock shelf for up to 100 meters. Only experienced surfers will be able to make the drop and subsequently get pitted out of their minds.
What are the best surf conditions for Caves?
This spot gets good between wait high to triple overhead, the bigger the better. Ride your shortboard, step up, or gun depending on the size of the swell and your paddle fitness. Caves is an advanced, pro, or kamikaze only wave. It doesn’t break too often (3/10), and there won’t be too many people in the water (4/10). However, there is a bit of a localism scene here. Many guys have settled down here only to surf this wave, and line up priority has been established and will be enforced. caves is best when the wind is offshore from the Northeast, the tide is on the lower side, and the swell is coming from the South, Southwest, or West.
We recommend wearing a 3/2 wetsuit in the summer with the warmest temperature a pleasant 21 degrees in February. In winter one should up the game to a 4/3, as water temps drop to around 16 degrees. See the temperature chart below for more data on this.
