Overview
The Wedge is a beach break that fires in the corner of Plettenberg Bay, an hour's drive from J-Bay. When big swells wrap into the bay and refract off the rocks north of the Beacon Isle Hotel, it becomes a bucking, rearing beast that doubles in size off the bounce, throws a huge cavern, then implodes on the beach. Air-drops, close-outs and sand slammers are the norm, and it's a slice of bodyboard heaven breaking over sand. Plettenberg Bay itself is a convenient base with services and accommodation to suit all needs, and with eight spots in the area there's usually something on offer outside the summer tourist high season.
When It Works
The Wedge draws swell from east through south to southwest (E-S-SW), with east the best match, and it covers a huge span of size, working from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 6.1 m / 20 ft. Big south swells wrapping into the bay are what light it up, and it peels both left and right. It's somewhat inconsistent, so it won't be on every day, but the good windows are worth watching for. Down in the corner near Robberg Nature Reserve, an old submerged wreck holds hollow lefts when there's an east swell or a big south wrap.
Wind and Tide
Look for northwest offshore wind to clean it up. It works on low and mid tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is an expert's wave, built around air-drops and heavy close-outs rather than easy rides. Crowds show up when it works, so expect company in the lineup on the good days.
