Surf: General: There are three groins here -- southernmost is the First and the northernmost is the Third. On a solid south or southeast swell, the Third can produce some heavy sweeping rights, while between the groins, several peaks produce more short-lived thrills. But the First is the major draw for its consistently heavy, barreling lefts when Northeast swells march down the coast. Tides: Low to mid tide Size: Head high-double overhead Wind: NW Swell: S, SE, NE Bottom: Sand, rock and pieces of the groins. Paddling: Can be very hard to stay up on the peak during bigger northeast swells. Spot Rating: If the sand and swell are right this is the best wave on the Outer Banks, especially if you are a goofy-foot. Access: The historical Lighthouse location offers several packed parking lots. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Can get packed when it is working. Local Vibe: A tight group live and surf here. A little humility and respect will go a long way. Environment: Actually not that bad unless after a storm. Hazards: Submerged pieces of the old jetties. Season: Storm dependent: tropical cyclones in the late summer and fall with frontal activity and nor'easters in the late fall and winter.