The Surf in Guadeloupe is possible as the water and air temperatures are quite balmy. With over 300 kilometers of coastline there are loads of great surf spots primarily on the coast of Grande-Terre, however there a few are on Grand-Basse and Terre-de-Haut. The geography and situation of the islands and their location mean they pickup Northwesterly, Northerly, Easterly and Southerly swells!
Guadeloupe is an awesome place if you’re looking for good consistent waves, warm water, good people, good weather and tasty cuisine all year round! The lifestyle is really cool and with over 30 surf spots there’s something for every style and skill level from beginners through to the advanced surfers.
Even though surf season lasts from October through to May the other months can still offer quality conditions too. The best season is during winter (October to March) as there is an average of between 1.5m to 2.5m as this is the hurricane season so the swell can be awesome! The waves break on coral, lava or rock reefs, so they’re nice and consistent, plus with the small height difference between tides, it means that you can surf consistently at the same spot.
If you’re a skilled surfer you’ll find a wide range of challenging hollow waves from autumn through to spring (September to March) as the swells are bigger and the waves are more consistent.
For those just starting out in surfing or if you’re looking to start, the waves are more adapted during summer as the swells are mostly smaller and the waves aren’t as big so they can be more fun.
Basse-Terre (western island) is best during the cyclone season as it gets south to south east swells. Grande-Terre (eastern island) receives most of the swells and provides more consistent surf as its open to the Atlantic.
The beaches at Le Moule, Port-Louis and Anse Bertrand are the best between October and May. Sainte-Anne, Saint-François and Petit-Havre are best from June through to August.
GUADELOUPE SURF SPOTS
The surf spots below are the most well known, however there are lots of secret spots that locals know of as well as surf clubs, surfari’s etc. Please note that we’re focusing solely on the Grande-Terre (eastern island).
SURFING IN THE NORTH OF GUADELOUPE
From December to April there’s good surf around Port Louis and Anse Bertrand with Northwesterly to Northerly swells generated from the North Atlantic. As this coastline faces north west its almost always offshore. For quality surf you need a moderate-sized groundswell. Arguably, the best waves on the island can be found at Port Louis, which has long nice rights and a shorter left, but its only good if there’s decent sized swell. You can also find some sweet right-hand walls at Anse Bertrand. Generally the north coast has some excellent surf with some sweet reef at Plombier, Anse Laborde and Pointe d’Antigues, however they’re really only for experts.
SURF SPOTS
The below spots are situated along the coast in the north east of Grande-Terre between ‘Port-Louis’, ‘Pointe de la Grande Vigie’.
Des abattoirs aka Anse La Borde
You can find some of the most intense waves on the island here as they’re hollow, fast and powerful with a shallow coral bottom. The waves aren’t always consistent, however if you get the right conditions you can find some really sweat waves.
Swell size: Starts working at 6-8 ft and holds up to 12 ft+
Swell direction: NorthWest, North, NorthEast
Wind: NorthEast, East, SouthEast
Bottom: Irregular, sharp coral.
Skill level: Experienced surfers and madmen
du Cimetière – (cemetery)
Opposite du Cimetière you’ll find a great place for surfing with two peaks including a left and right-hander. The waves are fast, the left can lack a little bit of power, but it’s perfect for breaking out some new moves. These break towards the carpark at plage d’Anse Bé opposite the small cemetery.
Swell size : Starts working 5-6ft and holds up to 8ft+
Swell direction: North, NorthEast or East
Wind: NorthEast or East
Bottom: Flat Coral reef, but not too sharp or shallow
Skill level: Intermediate surfers.
de Plombier
A beautiful reef surf beach situated opposite du Cimetière where you can find good fast and hollow waves with awesome tube riding opportunities.
Bottom: Irregular, Coral.
Skill level: Experts only!
Pointe d’Antigue
Long right-hander which works in all swells from 1,5 m to huge. This wave is ideal for long boarders and when big, for big wave chargers.
Bottom: Flat Coral reef (beware of the coral horn at the end of the wave)
Skill level: Intermediate to advanced surfers.
La table
Long and fast right hander
Swell size: Starts working at less than 3ft and holds up to 8ft+
Swell direction: NorthEast, East and SouthEast
Wind: NorthWest, North, NorthEast and West
Bottom: Flat Coral reef & sand
Skill level: beginners to advanced surfers.
de Malibu
Right before the little harbour at Port Louis, this is a great right-hander for longboarders and a regional classic, don’t miss it. Considered to have some of the most beautiful waves in Guadeloupe.
Swell size: Starts working at 3ft and holds up to 8-10ft
Swell direction: North
Bottom: Flat, rock and sand
Skill level: beginners to advanced surfers.
Razor reef
Some great waves here, this place is a bit of a secret!
Swell direction: East to North
Bottom: reef
Skill level: Skilled, advanced surfers
Surfing in the South off Guadeloupe
Along the southern coastline the best surf spots are around Pointe des Châteaux, Saint François and in Sainte Anne. From December to June the Alizé wind creates Easterly and Southerly swells. You can also get some good consistent surf from August to November with Southerly swells created by tropical depressions.
If you’re looking to rent a holiday villa in guadeloupe, then we recommend Villa Belle Allee. From Saint Francois you’re only a short walk from the small, but long and consitent, right-hander of Vieux Port, perfect for beginners. A 5 minute bike ride from Anse à la Barque a hollower wave suitable for intermediate and advanced surfers.
de la table
This surf spot is a small quick left in the middle of where Club Med is situated, so it’s pretty touristy.
Bottom: Flat coral reef
Skill level: All levels.
de Californie
Right near the exit of Sainte Anne you can find a small quick right.
Bottom: Coral reef
Skill level: All levels.
de la digue
Bottom: Coral reef
Skill level: All levels.
du Helleux
This is a popular surf beach with a left and right peak, which is very consistent as it breaks on reef and sand. The waves are at their best between November to April when there are high winds and also during the hurricane season between August to October.
Swells: East to South
Bottom: Sand and coral
Skill level: Perfect for beginners.
de l’hôtel Pierre et Vacances
Situated directly in front of the hotel you can find a nice left and right peak.
Swells: Easterly and southerly
Bottom: Coral reef
Skill level: Advanced and experienced surfers.
de l’anse à la barque
A really cool right-hander that is suitable for intermediate surfers who are looking to perfect some tight top turns and back to back cutbacks. The waves are pretty regular, mostly between November to April when there are trade winds and also during the Hurricane season from August to October.
Swells: Works on swells between 3-5 foot from the east or south.
Bottom: Sand & Coral
Skill level: beginners & Intermediates.
plage des Raisins Clairs
Left & right-hand peak
Swells: Easterly and southerly
Bottom: Coral reef
Skill level: Intermediates.
l’hôtel Anchorage
In front of the hotel and near the diving center, you can find two peaks left and right although there’s not a lot of water on the reef.
Swells: Easterly and southerly
Bottom: Coral reef
Skill level: Advanced surfers.
Vieux Port de Saint François
A superb surf beach as it caters for all levels, with three breaks and a really nice right-hander. It’s perfect for beginners and long-boarders as it never gets to big or vertical. Generally great waves, especially when its windy from November to April.
Swells: Easterly or southerly
Bottom: Coral reef
Skill level: All levels.
SURFING IN THE EAST OF GRANDE-TERRE – LE MOULE REGION
Le Moule is probably one of the most well-known and reputable surf spots in Guadeloupe (along with Pointe des Châteaux) as it gets the best exposure to swells and thus generates the most consistent surf. You can surf all year round at Le Moule, although the most consistent swells are from September to November during the hurricane period which generates powerful swells created by cyclonic depressions. Between December to April you can get some good Northerly swells too.
If you’re looking to rent a bunglow in guadeloupe, then we recommend Gites du Soleil as they’re offer a range of affordable and comfortable gites in guadeloupe, which are very close to all the surf spots in Le Moule.
Damencourt
This spot is 500m after Le Moule and is the most well known surf spot in Guadeloupe. A sweet fast left with waves from 1metre to 2.5 metres. Good consistent waves due to the Azié winds.
Bottom: Flat Coral reef
Skill level: Intermediate to advanced surfers.
la Station
Located just after you leave la Moule. Nice right hander, however its not very consistent as the swell from the north isn’t always very big.
Bottom: Flat Coral reef
Skill level: Intermediate to advanced surfers.
Waimea
This is for experts only as you can get some big fast waves, with big tubes and drop-ins.
Bottom: Flat Coral reef
Skill level: Experts only
l’anse Salabouelle
You can catch some good waves here all year round, although its best from September through to November as the waves are generally more consistent due to the cyclonic depressions, which create strong swells. From between December through to April, northerly swells create some sweet waves. This reef provides some good meaty left-handers just like l’Anse a la Gourde and La Chaise.
du Petit Pont
Like the name, you can find some small yet fast waves, which are straight and left. Ideal for beginners to intermediate and is good for a fun day out.
Bottom: Coral reef
Skill level: Beginners to Intermediate
Gallets
If you’re an experienced surfer and are looking for some nice quick hollow waves then this is a beach worth checking out.
Bottom: Flat Coral reef
Skill level: Intermediate to experienced surfers.
l’Anse a la gourde
Comprises of two reefs, the first includes three straight peaks which come in stages. The second reef is fast and straight with some great tubes. Its a beach thats fine for all levels, depending on the size of the waves as you can surf smaller waves in one area and then some big surf in another due to the different reefs.
Bottom: Flat Coral reef
Skill level: The first reef is more for beginners to experienced surfers. The 2nd reef is really only for experienced surfers.
Swells: 1st reef: Northerly, 2nd reef: East and Northeasterly
Perfect
Just as the name suggests, Perfect is a beautiful really long reef with some big swell from the south, especially during the hurricane period. Can catch some good hollow tubes due to the coral reef and is adapted more for advanced surfers.
Skill level: Advanced/Experienced surfers
Swells: The east produces some gig swells and the South creates some good groundswell.
La Chaise
Another great left hander, which suits advanced surfers. It’s not really deep and there’s a lot of coral.
Skill level: Experienced and advanced surfers
Swells: The east creates some big swells and the south generates some good groundswell.
Pointe des Châteaux
Starts on a reef and finishes on a sand shore break, which is straight and left. Due to the conditions this surf could be suitable to beginners however its more adapted to intermediate and advanced, plus there can be a pretty strong current.
Skill level: Beginners to Advanced.
Swells: North or South East
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