Overview
Portofino is a powerful right-hander that breaks over rock and sand right beside the motorway, in the middle of the desert. It's one of the best rights in the Northern Region: a constant wave that throws tubing sections, offers rippable overhead walls, and links up sections for airs. It breaks close to shore, and the rock bottom is covered in urchins, so watch your feet.
When It Works
The reef picks up swell from west to northwest, and it's usable from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 1.8 m / 6 ft. Autumn and winter are the seasons to plan around, roughly February through October. Quality is good and it holds up fairly consistently, so it's worth checking whenever there's swell in the water.
Wind and Tide
Look for east-southeast offshore wind, with a workable wind window running from east to south-southeast. It works on low and mid tide, with mid tide the pick and a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
Bring a shortboard, and expect a wave suited to intermediate surfers and up. The lineup stays quiet with hardly anyone out, though it can feel a little reserved. Paddling is manageable on an average day, but it turns into real work when it's pumping. Urchins on the bottom are the main hazard.
Access
Parking is about as easy as it gets: pull up right in front of the wave.
