If you love to surf and want to go surfing in the Caribbean, you’re probably wondering which Caribbean island has the best surfing.
The good news is, there are quite a few excellent places to go surfing in the Caribbean, whether you’re a beginner or experienced. In this article we’ll tell you all you need to know to find the best surfing in the Caribbean for you, including answering some frequently asked questions.
Best Surfing in the Caribbean Quick Picks
The best surfing in the Caribbean can be found in Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, Jamaica, and Antigua.
Best Surfing in the Caribbean Overview
While most people think of snorkeling and scuba diving when they think of the Caribbean, you can also find some good places to surf here. And a plus to Caribbean surfing is that the water is warm all year!
In general, Caribbean surf season is between November and March, but you can often find good surfing throughout the year at certain islands.
The best Caribbean islands for surfing are Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, Jamaica, and Antigua. Read on to learn more about each of these top surfing spots.
Best Surfing in the Caribbean: Barbados
This beautiful island offers some of the best surfing in the Caribbean for beginners as well as experts. If you’ve got experience and are looking for the most challenging waves, head to Bathsheba Beach—home to the famous “Soup Bowl” break. Crane Beach is another top spot for experienced surfers.
If you’re a beginner, Dover Beach has smaller waves and is where you can find surf schools to help you learn. You can also rent surfboards here. Barbados is also an excellent island for family surf vacations in the Caribbean due to the plethora of surf schools, variety of levels available, and wide range of family-friendly resorts.
Peak surfing season in Barbados is from November to May. While much of this is “winter,” the water temperature stays warm year-round, averaging about 80 degrees, making this a very pleasant place to surf.
Best Surfing in the Caribbean: Puerto Rico
One of the best places to surf in the Caribbean for U.S. citizens (who don’t need a passport to visit here), Puerto Rico is probably best-known for the surfing along the beaches of Rincon. Aguadilla is another area that is becoming increasingly popular.
Puerto Rico is not the best option for beginners—intermediate to experienced surfers will do better with these waves. However, Middles Beach in Isabela can be a good spot for beginning surfers.
The best time for surfing in Puerto Rico is August to April. Be aware that the months of August through November are during the hurricane season, so keep an eye on the weather and be sure to get travel insurance.
Best Surfing in the Caribbean: Dominican Republic
This island located near Puerto Rico also features multiple great surfing spots, especially on its northern coast. Beginners, intermediates, and experts can all find waves to suit them here.
The Dominican Republic is also popular for the Caribbean surf resort of El Encuentro Surf Lodge.
While you can surf all year in the Dominican Republic, the biggest waves are found between October and April.
Best Surfing in the Caribbean: The Bahamas
The best surfing in The Bahamas can be found at Surfer’s Beach on the tiny, pristine island of Eleuthera. In fact, some people compare the waves here to those you would find in Hawaii!
Other good surfing spots are Elbow Cay off the coast of Great Abaco, and Rum Cay.
The best time to go surfing in The Bahamas is between October and April.
Best Surfing in the Caribbean: Jamaica
Jamaica also offers a wide range of surfing options for beginners, intermediates, and experts. Boston Bay offers good waves for beginners and has surfboard rentals, while Bull Bay and Makka Beach are better for more experienced surfers.
However, Bull Bay is where Jamaica’s first surf school is located, so it can also be good spot for beginners as well. Makka Beach is home to one of the biggest annual surf competitions in the Caribbean.
The surfing in Jamaica is good year-round, though waves can be bigger during the winter.
Best Surfing in the Caribbean: Antigua
Antigua is best known for the barrel waves off of Palmetto Point, but it also has a few other good spots for surfing. It’s also a top destination for kitesurfing, and you can get lessons in both sports at Jabberwock Bay. This is a good beach for beginner surfers as well as intermediates.
The best time to find waves here is during the winter months of November to February.
What is the surfing capital of the Caribbean?
Most people consider Barbados to be the surfing capital of the Caribbean. With plenty of beaches fronting the rougher Atlantic Ocean waters, Barbados offers excellent waves. This is also one of the best places for beginner surfing in the Caribbean, as there are multiple surf schools.
Is there good surfing in the Bahamas?
Yes, there is good surfing in the Bahamas, especially in the Abacos and on the island of Eleuthera at Surfer’s Beach.
Is St. Lucia good for surfing?
This island, while gorgeous and full of wonderful outdoor activities, is not known for surfing. While you can find a few surfing opportunities in St. Lucia, these come mainly in the winter months.
Now that you’ve read all about where to go surfing in the Caribbean, are you ready to plan a trip? If so, we have plenty of articles that will help. Or, feel free to reach out to one of our expert travel advisors!