Barbados Surf Spots and Surfing Information

Plain and simple: Barbados surf spots deliver! Perfect waves peel along each coast of this beautiful little island that sits at the bottom of the Caribbean Island Chain, with the open Atlantic Ocean on the east coast and the Caribbean Sea on the west coast.

Though seldom thought of as a major surf destination, Barbados can serve up surf spots with a healthy dose of power, tubes and stoke. This is thanks to to its prime location in the southern Caribbean. Most surfers head for Bathsheba, a quaint beach town along the east coast that caters to surfers. Bathsheba is home to Soup Bowl, the crown jewel of Barbados surfing.

Unlike other Caribbean Islands, Barbados has surf 360 days a year, peaking November through June. Barbados’s east coast faces the open Atlantic Ocean and sits in an unobstructed position to pick up groomed groundswells from northern, eastern and southern storms, as well as a good amount of trade wind swell. This swell consistency keeps Barbados busy with traveling surfers from the East Coast of the United States.

Barbados was originally an English colony, but has been independent since 1966. It might be far from England, but her influence can be felt in the island’s stable government, economy and first-rate accommodations. However, unlike England, Barbados boasts a classic Caribbean climate: 350 days of sunshine per year, and year-round 80-degree water and air temperatures. Be forewarned - the spiced rum punch is deceptively strong with enough sweet stuff from local sugar cane to mask almost any amount of rum.

Barbados truly is a surfers paradise. Find a surf school in Barbados.

Barbados - Surf Video

 

Barbados Surf Breaks

Find the spot that’s right for you. Read through our detailed informational charts on the main surf spots in Barbados.

Soup bowl - East Coast
Surf Location	In the village of Bathsheba
Best Swell Direction	North
Best Tide	Incoming low
Best Wind Direction	South, Southwest
Best Surf Season	November-March
Wave Quality	This is the most famous surf spot in Barbados, and one of the best waves in the Caribbean. Soup Bowl is an epic right-hand reef break that offers freight train-like speed and huge, stand-up barrels.
The Surfers	Very crowded and competitive. Lots of professional surfers visit Soup Bowl on a regular basis.
Boards	Shortboard
Paddle Out	Moderate to difficult depending on the swell
Skill Level	Advanced
Bottom	Reef
Watch Out For…	Urchins and undertow
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Soup Bowl, Barbados - Surf Video

 

Parlour - East Coast
Surf Location	In the village of Bathsheba
Best Swell Direction	Northeast
Best Tide	Incoming low
Best Wind Direction	South, Southwest
Best Surf Season	November-March
Wave Quality	This is THE big wave spot in Barbados when a big swell hits. Oddly, it’s also a good wave for beginners when it’s small. Parlour offers something for every surfing level.
The Surfers	It gets crowded and competitive when there’s a big swell. Many surfers come here instead of fighting the maddening crowds at Soup Bowl.
Boards	Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard; big wave gun when a large swell is present
Paddle Out	Moderate, can be difficult
Skill Level	Beginners and intermediate surfers when it’s small; when a big swell hits, Parlour is for advanced surfers only
Bottom	Reef
Watch Out For…	Urchins and undertow
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Brandon - south coast
Surf Location	In front of the Coconut Court Beach Hotel on the southwest coast of Barbados
Best Swell Direction	South, Southwest
Best Tide	High
Best Wind Direction	Northeast
Best Surf Season	November-March
Wave Quality	Long left-hand reef break that does get hollow on the inside section, but watch out for the urchins covering the inside reef.
The Surfers	This place isn’t one of the most popular, so the crowds are less then at most places
Boards	Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Beginner to Advanced
Bottom	Reef and sand
Watch Out For…	Urchins on the reef
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Freights Bay - South Coast
Surf Location	On the south coast, within walking distance of the Clearwater Apartments
Best Swell Direction	Needs a large south swell to break
Best Tide	High
Best Wind Direction	Northeast
Best Surf Season	November-March
Wave Quality	Long left-hand reef break that is great for beginners or longboarders looking for long backside rides
The Surfers	Moderate crowd, everyone here is mellow
Boards	Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Beginner to Advanced
Bottom	Reef and sand
Watch Out For…	Nothing
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Duppy's - West Coast
Surf Location	At the tip of the northwest coast
Best Swell Direction	North
Best Tide	High
Best Wind Direction	South, Southeast
Best Surf Season	November-March
Wave Quality	Powerful right-hand reef break. This spot will break with some good power, so it’s best left to more advanced surfers looking for pitching lips, tubes and lots of speed.
The Surfers	Does get crowded and competitive
Boards	Shortboard
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Advanced
Bottom	Reef
Watch Out For…	Reef, late take-offs, freak sets
Water Condition	Clean and clear

Tropicana - West Coast
Surf Location	Across from John Moore’s Rum Shop, in front of the church
Best Swell Direction	West and Northwest
Best Tide	Definitely high tide, low tide is too shallow
Best Wind Direction	South, Southeast
Best Surf Season	November-March
Wave Quality	Powerful left-hand reef break that breaks in shallow water. Waves are steep with great tube sections.
The Surfers	Does get crowded and competitive
Boards	Shortboard
Paddle Out	Moderate
Skill Level	Advanced
Bottom	Shallow reef
Watch Out For…	Shallow reef covered with urchins
Water Condition	Clean and clear