Surfing Punto La Gillette: The Complete Guide

Punto La Gillette is a shallow slab located in Los Roques, Venezuela, offering a right-hander along the Caribbean's tropical waters. Punto La Gillette is the gnarliest wave in Venezuela—a shallow coral slab in the remote Los Roques archipelago that produces fast, thick right barrels when solid north swells slam into the outer reef. Rated as expert-level difficulty with uncrowded conditions, this slab break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is N (0°), with workable conditions from NW to NE (315°–45°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Punto La Gillette needs a minimum of 1.8m / 6ft to start working and handles swells up to 3m / 10ft 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 SW (225°). The full offshore range spans S to W (190°–260°). 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 to high tide. Optimal tide range is 0.8m–1.8m. Avoid surfing when the tide drops below 0.3m — it becomes dangerously shallow.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Punto La Gillette 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: Needs solid N swell to break. Best in winter with cold fronts pushing through.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 27°C / 81°F. Boardshorts or a thin rashguard are all you need.

Getting There

The nearest airport is LRV, just a quick 0-minute drive from the break. A boat is required to reach the lineup, costing approximately $80 USD.

Access: Fly CCS to LRV (Gran Roque), then boat to the break. Charter required.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended
⚠️ Shallow — Very shallow at low tide
😮‍💨 Hold-downs — Long hold-downs possible
🏝️ Remote — Far from help

Extremely shallow coral slab. Fast, thick barrels with serious consequences. Boat access only.

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock
Build your breath-hold confidence before tackling bigger days here
Carry a first aid kit and emergency communication. Help may be far away

Skill Level: This spot is rated expert-level (9/10). Crowd Level: Typically uncrowded (1/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Punto La Gillette? 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 Punto La Gillette is firing.

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