Surfing Tilloo Cut: The Complete Guide

Tilloo Cut is a reef break located in Abaco, Bahamas, offering both lefts and rights along the Caribbean's tropical waters. Tilloo Cut is an Abaco adventure wave—a reef break that acts as a swell magnet for E swells in an uninhabited area. Rated as advanced difficulty with uncrowded conditions, this reef break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is E (90°), with workable conditions from ENE to ESE (60°–120°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Tilloo Cut needs a minimum of 1.2m / 4ft to start working and handles swells up to 2.5m / 8ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 10 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the W (270°). The full offshore range spans WSW to WNW (240°–300°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid tide. Optimal tide range is 0.6m–1.5m.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Tilloo Cut runs November, December, January, February, March (Nov–Mar). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens September, October (Sep–Oct). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Swell magnet on E swells. Trades in summer, uninhabited, adventure required.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 26°C / 79°F. Boardshorts or a thin rashguard are all you need.

Getting There

The nearest airport is MHH, roughly 60 minutes by car. A boat is required to reach the lineup, costing approximately $75 USD.

Access: Abaco. Boat access required. Adventure surf.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🦈 Sharks — Known shark activity
🌀 Strong rips — Dangerous currents
🏝️ Remote — Far from help

Swell magnet on E swells. Trades in summer. Adventure required.

Safety Tips:

Avoid surfing at dawn/dusk and near river mouths. Surf with a buddy
Study the currents before paddling out. Know your exit strategy
Carry a first aid kit and emergency communication. Help may be far away

Skill Level: This spot is rated advanced (6/10). Crowd Level: Typically uncrowded (1/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Tilloo Cut? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Tilloo Cut is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*