Overview
Koe Koe is a serious right-hander breaking over uneven reef, and it sits a long way out from shore. Getting to it is a mission, even for the keenest of hellmen and women who feel the need to challenge this wave. It starts breaking at around 6ft (2m), the same size that switches on the pointbreak at neighbouring Akahanga, which keeps going up to 20ft (6m) and becomes the longest big wave on the island.
When It Works
The reef draws swell from east through south to southwest, and southwest swell is the best match. It's usable from 1.8 m / 6 ft to 3.7 m / 12 ft, so this is a wave that only shows up once there's real size on the water. Consistency is middling: the setup gets blown out often enough that you're waiting for windows rather than counting on it.
Wind and Tide
Look for northwest offshore wind to clean it up. The reef can work through most of the tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This one is for expert surfers only. The paddle out is long, the wave is big, and the reef underneath is uneven. When it does break, the lineup stays quiet.
