Lavanono Left is a long left-hand reef that has become the region's number one spot. The reef opens with long racing walls, often ruffled by side-shore wind, before bending into a hollow, dead-offshore end bowl that throws the odd barrel for anyone happy to stall and stand tall. The bottom is dead coral covered in kelp, and while the bowl can get shallow, it stays mostly flat. The wave invites obvious comparisons to St-Leu on Reunion Island.
When It Works
It's a consistent wave that draws swell from southwest through southeast, with southwest (SW) the best match, and it works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft. On very low tides and small swell, the reef also holds longish rights that zip along the inside when the trades stay light.
Wind and Tide
Look for east (E) offshore wind. The reef can work across low, mid, and high tide, but it comes into its own on higher water, so a rising tide is the better call.
Local Tips
This is an intermediate wave, and the lineup stays fairly quiet even when it's on. Further inside, near the village, a reform left breaks where the local kids trade waves on a couple of well-worn boards.
Access
Most surfers reach Lavanono by travelling the long road from Fort-Dauphin, and they tend to stay a while once they arrive. Sorona surf camp makes for a reliable stopover along the way.
