The beach is located approximatly 2 hours north of Nouméa and a few kilometers south of Bourail (Central Grande Terre). On the Territorial Road (RT1) follow the direction to the Roche Percée Beach. The road is located very close from a long bridge crossing the Néra river. Drive along the river and turn left at the end. A small road continues along the beach - the rivermouth is at the very end.
This is the only bottom sand beach-break in New-Caledonia and probably the only wave accessible without a boat in the whole country. You can expect some sloppy waves which work only under storm conditions or with a large south-west winter swell. The wave is caused by a large pass in the offshore-reef.
Overview
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is super relaxed and informal. Families and people from nouméa come here by car for the weekend to camp. Wave at everyone in the water and respect the locals who share with visitors this beautiful tropical paradise.
General
Powerless and sloppy wave - take a longboard. At high tide the wave can turn into big close-outs - try to go at low or mid-tide. Can sometimes be ok especially if you don't have a boat to surf the nearby reef. When it's flat, go to turtles bay and visit the nice surroundings - check the swell before taking the trip!
Nera Rivermouth
Surfed this place a 5 to 6 foot and it was very fast left wall, almost wanting to barrel. At this size it breaks on the outer bank is much longer than 50m, easily +100m. Artifical Reef is planned to be built at the other end of the La Roche Percee beach sometime in the next year.
comment by Anonymous, 2008-02-22 02:43:17