Consistent swells, offshore winds and reefs have made the Caribbean one of the world’s most popular surfing destinations. There is huge variety to the surfing in the Caribbean. Over 2,000 islands conspire to create something for every type of surfer no matter the style or level of skill. With so much choice, it helps to have a little local knowledge when trying to find that perfect break.
Kikita, Puerto Rico
The Puerto Rico swell has been drawing visitors for over sixty years to the most perfect waves in the Caribbean. The best surf locations are to be found on the north west of the island, and when there’s a storm coming in, the waves can get pretty crazy. There are spots to suit all standards, including La Islita, Cerro Gordo, Cibuco, Los Tubos and La Marginal, but Kikita has to be the best of them. You’ll be glad you made the effort, but it’s not recommended for amateurs.
There are some top quality breaks on the west coast, although the surf scene originated on Barbados’ south coast. The large limestone boulders just offshore at Bathsheba create a great swell and the world class Soup Bowls right hander. Atlantic storms, hurricanes and reliable trade winds draw a consistent stream of surfers to Barbados. The wonderfully charming and easy going Bajan vibe just adds to the effect.
Surfing isn’t why most people come to Jamaica, and it is an admittedly small surf scene. That said, there is something idiosyncratically charming about surfing in Jamaica that makes it worth discovering. There are two well known spots: Boston Bay on the north coast, home of the famous Boston Bay Jerk; and Bull Bay at Eight Miles on the south east of the island not too far from Kingston. Surfers have been catching rides since the 1960s in Jamaica, but this remains a small, local scene. Billy ‘Mystic’ Wilmot, owner of Jamnesia, Jamaica’s only surf camp, continues to champion Jamaica as a Caribbean surf venue.
Dom Rep as it’s known locally is just one half the island of Hispanola – the other half being Haiti. This is one of the first places in this part of the Caribbean to catch incoming Atlantic swells. The huge coastline means that there are numerous local surf spots to discover. This is one of those places to engage a local guide and get out there and explore.
The beautiful island of Eleuthera has some of the best surfing in the Bahamas along its 110 mile long coast. Point breaks, reef breaks and beach breaks ensure this island has enough variety to keep most surfers in the zone. The north and east sides of the island have the best surf due to their exposure to the Atlantic ocean. A dramatic 3,000ft drop in the ocean floor just offshore works to generate great swells.
