Apple Bay
Apple Bay is the British Virgin Islands' most consistent surf spot—a reef break on Tortola's north shore that picks up more swell than anywhere else in the territory. When winter swells arrive, clean, fast waves peel along the reef, drawing the small but dedicated BVI surf community.
Apple Bay surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNW (340°)
- Direction range
- 310° - 10°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SE (135°)
- Offshore range
- 100° - 170°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
- Optimal range
- 0.6m - 1.8m
Water temp
27°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Tortola north shore. BVI surf hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Apple Bay?
Apple Bay is a reef break in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Apple Bay?
Apple Bay picks up swell from the NW round to the N, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NNW. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Apple Bay?
A SE wind is dead offshore at Apple Bay, and anything from the E round to the S keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Apple Bay?
Apple Bay is at its best around the mid to high tide, roughly 0.6m to 1.8m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Apple Bay?
The most reliable run of swell at Apple Bay comes Nov to Mar. There's a second window in Sep to Oct too. Winter swells. Most consistent spot in BVI.
How cold is the water at Apple Bay?
The water at Apple Bay averages around 27°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Apple Bay good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Most consistent spot in BVI. Clean, fast waves.
How do I get to Apple Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is EIS, then it's roughly a 15-minute drive. Tortola north shore. BVI surf hub.
What other surf spots are near Apple Bay?
The closest breaks we track are Cane Garden Bay (4.0 km), Brewer's Bay (7.3 km) and Cinnamon Bay (10 km), handy when Apple Bay isn't working. We track 4 spots around Tortola in total.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Sep, Oct
Winter swells. Most consistent spot in BVI.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Cane Garden Bay
💎 Caribbean's secret point • Rare perfection • Tortola treasure
Brewer's Bay
💪 BVI's power option • Sharp reef • Experienced surfers
Cinnamon Bay
🏝️ National park surf • Beginner-friendly • St John beauty
Josiah's Bay
🏄♂️ BVI's learn-to-surf spot • Fun A-frames • Beginner paradise
Hull Bay
🇻🇮 USVI's best wave • North shore reef • Beautiful setting
Cow Wreck Beach
🐄 Anegada remote break • Uncrowded • True BVI escape