Overview
Rifles is a fast, right-hand reef break that ranks among the best waves on the planet when it lines up. Breaking over live coral, it's a gun-barrel, straight-shooting righthander, a super-sprint where you have to stay ahead of the foamball and keep pace with constantly peeling sections. It isn't always perfect and will shut down unmakeable sections, but when everything aligns it's world-class. As the mirror opposite of nearby No-Kandui, it's a regular footer's dream.
When It Works
The wave draws swell from south to southwest, with south the optimal direction. It works from 1.2 m / 4 ft to 4.6 m / 15 ft, and comes into its own from head-high to double overhead. Expect it to fire when a solid south swell lines up, though it can be inconsistent between those windows.
Wind and Tide
Look for slack or light northwest offshore wind. Steer clear of low tide; the reef prefers mid to high water, with a rising tide the better call.
Local Tips
This is an expert-only wave. The speed and the hollow, sprinting sections demand a turbo-charged, advanced approach, so it suits confident surfers who can hold a faster-than-a-speeding-bullet pace and stay ahead of the peeling wall.
