Overview
Lighthouse is a dangerous, barreling right-hander on Tongatapu that breaks over live coral. A straight stretch of nasty reef splits the wave into two sections. The outside starts fast and doesn't let up for a good 50-metre sprint, then the Surgeons Table interrupts things before a short inside section reels into a winding barrel and the safety of the channel.
When It Works
This is a proper experts-only wave that comes to life on summer swells from the northwest to north (NW-N), with southwest (SW) the optimal direction. It works from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 3 m / 10 ft, and it can be somewhat inconsistent, so it pays to be ready when the setup lines up.
Wind and Tide
Look for southeast (SE) offshore wind. The reef can break through low, mid, and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call. The outside section holds up at low tide even when it's small, while the short inside section needs higher tides to make the air drop into the barrel.
Local Tips
With fast coral-reef barrels and a hard-breaking inside section, Lighthouse is strictly an expert's wave and no place to learn. Expect a fairly quiet lineup when it's working.
