Best Surf Spots in the Caribbean

Tres Palmas is the Caribbean's big wave proving ground—a powerful right-hand reef break in Rincón, Puerto Rico, that transforms into a legitimate big wave arena when massive...

Rincon is the undisputed capital of Caribbean surfing—a legendary stretch of coast on Puerto Rico's western tip that lights up during winter NW swells. The area hosts multiple...

Gas Chambers lives up to its name—a heavy, hollow reef break that produces some of the most intense tubes in the Caribbean. Located on Puerto Rico's northwest coast near...

Domes is Rincón's most photogenic wave—a super-pitchy right that throws over shallow reef right next to the decommissioned nuclear facility dome. When winter swells light up...

Middles is Puerto Rico's most challenging wave—a fast, powerful reef break that delivers Hawaiian-style barrels on the north coast. The wave breaks hard and fast over shallow...

Marias is Rincón's long, spread-out right—a wave that connects through multiple sections when good NW swells hit Puerto Rico's west coast. The reef produces fast walls with...

Dogman's sits between Marias and Tres Palmas, offering shallower, hollower waves than its neighbors. Both lefts and rights break over the reef, with the rights being particularly...

Indicators is Rincón's big-wave option—a right-hand reef break that turns on when the other spots are maxing out. Named for a rock that "indicates" when the swell is big enough,...

Soup Bowl is widely considered the Caribbean's best wave—a powerful right-hand reef break on Barbados' rugged east coast. When NE groundswells hit this exposed section of...

Freights is Barbados' most accessible quality reef break—a fun, playful right on the island's mellower south coast that offers a welcome contrast to the east coast's intensity....

Maycocks is Barbados's answer to J-Bay—a long, perfectly lined-up right that peels along a coral reef on the northwest coast. When clean N-NW swells arrive in winter, the wave...

Box by Box is Soup Bowl's heavier neighbor—a grinding left that breaks into shallow reef with serious consequences. This is where Barbados prodigy Zander Venezia honed his skills,...

Batts Rock is Barbados's west coast secret—a Pipeline-esque reef break that only turns on when rare N swells wrap around the island. When it works, the wave produces thick,...

Encuentro is the Dominican Republic's most consistent surf spot—a reef break west of Cabarete that catches winter North Atlantic swells. The setup offers multiple peaks and...

La Preciosa is one of the Dominican Republic's finest waves—a powerful left that breaks over an outer reef near Rio San Juan. When solid N swells push in, the wave produces long,...

El Barco is a powerful right-hand reef break near Rio San Juan that delivers fast, hollow waves when N swells hit the Dominican Republic's north coast. Named after a shipwreck in...

Bluff Beach is Panama's most powerful beach break—a heavy, hollow shorey that throws square pits onto the sand of Isla Colón. The wave has a reputation for snapping boards and...

Paunch is the wave that put Bocas del Toro on the surfing map. This versatile reef break offers something for everyone—hollow barrel sections for the chargers, long open walls for...

Carnero Point on Isla Carenero is one of Bocas del Toro's most consistent waves—a quality right that breaks over reef in the channel between islands. A short boat ride from town,...

Makka (also known as Yallahs) is Jamaica's premier barrel—a heavy, hollow right that breaks over sharp reef near Kingston. This wave has hosted pro events and earned the respect...

Bull Bay - Copa is Jamaica's original surf spot and the birthplace of Jamaican wave riding. The right-hand reef break produces neat, hollow wedges that have been ridden for...

The Zoo is Bull Bay's heavy left—a fast, tubular wave that breaks over shallow coral when solid swells hit Jamaica's south coast. Named for the wild conditions it produces, this...

Pelle à Tarte is Martinique's most spectacular wave—an imposing, hollow reef break on the Caravelle Peninsula that demands respect. The wave produces thick, tubular barrels that...

Anse Couleuvre is Martinique's remote north coast gem—a strong, fast right that breaks over shallow coral reef. The wave requires a scenic drive through rainforest to reach, but...

Cocoa is Martinique's most dangerous wave—a fast, powerful left that breaks over sharp reef on the Tartane peninsula. The wave demands respect and experience, with shallow coral...

Cane Garden Bay is the Caribbean's hidden gem—a picture-perfect point break that only comes alive a few dozen days per year. When due N swells wrap into this protected bay on...

Boca de Yumuri is Cuba's best-kept secret—a classic cobblestone point break at the mouth of the Yumuri River near Baracoa. When NE swells wrap into this remote corner of eastern...

Mount Irvine is where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean—Tobago's most consistent surf spot delivering quality waves almost daily in season. The reef break produces long rights with...

La Bouëlle is Guadeloupe's premier wave—a strong, punchy right-hand reef break near Le Moule on Grande-Terre's east coast. The wave offers long rides with hollow sections, and on...

Surfer's Beach on Eleuthera has been called the second-best surfing beach in the world by those who've experienced it on a good day. The pink-sand beach break delivers punchy,...