When lines of swell wrap around a coastal promontory or protrusion they refract around the bend and peel with remarkable regularity and symmetry. A classic example of this point break surf zone is Steamers Lane in Santa Cruz, California. Here surfers have the advantage of paddling out through the deep water channel on the left side of the peeling waves. The point break is an ideal location to surf the larger waves that would be impossible to obtain without the deep water channel to paddle out through. The water depth is again dictated by tidal conditions.
Some points break better at high tides while others break better at low tides.
Ask the local surfers about the best tidal perimeters for surfing the prominent waves. Another surf zone that can provide outstanding waves is the reef break. Usually associated with the South Pacific islands, the reef break surf zone can produce some of natures most dramatic and explosive surfing conditions. Here deep water swells plunge over shallow coral reefs pitching out hollow tubes that can erupt with unforgiving turbulence. The powerful pitching waves and shallow coral bottoms combine to make this surf zone the most hazardous for paddle powered crafts.