Surfing Alibaba: The Complete Guide

Alibaba is a reef break located in Sal, Cape Verde, offering a right-hander along the continent's diverse coastline. Alibaba is a world-class A-frame reef break on Sal Island, producing fast, hollow barrels over volcanic rock. Rated as expert-level difficulty with lightly crowded conditions, this reef break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is NW (315°), with workable conditions from W to N (280°–350°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Alibaba needs a minimum of 1.8m / 6ft to start working and handles swells up to 4m / 13ft before conditions deteriorate. When it maxes out, expect powerful, heavy-water conditions.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 12 seconds, with 16 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the E (90°). The full offshore range spans ENE to SE (60°–130°). 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 low tide. Optimal tide range is 0.5m–1.8m.

When to Go

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

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

Season Notes: Winter NW swells. World-class A-frame. Fast shallow barrels over volcanic reef.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 23°C / 73°F. A shorty or spring suit is recommended for longer sessions.

Getting There

The nearest airport is SID, roughly 20 minutes by car.

Access: World-class A-frame. Fast shallow barrels over volcanic reef.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended
⚠️ Shallow — Very shallow at low tide
🦔 Urchins — Sea urchins present

World-class A-frame. Fast shallow barrels over volcanic reef.

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock
Reef booties are essential. If stung, vinegar helps with urchin spines

Skill Level: This spot is rated expert-level (8/10). Crowd Level: Typically lightly crowded (4/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Alibaba? 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 Alibaba is firing.

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