Cane Garden Bay
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 Tortola's north shore, long, peeling rights spin down the reef with mechanical precision. The setting is paradise: palm-fringed beach, crystal water, and often just a handful of surfers.
Cane Garden Bay surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (350°)
- Direction range
- 340° - 30°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2m - 2.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.90×
- 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
6/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Tortola north shore. Only fires 20-30 days/year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Cane Garden Bay?
Cane Garden Bay is a point break in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Cane Garden Bay?
Cane Garden Bay picks up swell from the NNW round to the NNE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the N. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 2 to 2.6m. 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 Cane Garden Bay?
A SE wind is dead offshore at Cane Garden 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 Cane Garden Bay?
Cane Garden 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 Cane Garden Bay?
The most reliable run of swell at Cane Garden Bay comes Nov to Mar. There's a second window in Oct too. Winter N swells. Rare but magical.
How cold is the water at Cane Garden Bay?
The water at Cane Garden 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 Cane Garden Bay good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Point break over reef. Currents on bigger days.
How do I get to Cane Garden Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is EIS, then it's roughly a 20-minute drive. Tortola north shore. Only fires 20-30 days/year.
What other surf spots are near Cane Garden Bay?
The closest breaks we track are Brewer's Bay (3.5 km), Apple Bay (4.0 km) and Josiah's Bay (7.3 km), handy when Cane Garden Bay isn't working. We track 4 spots around Tortola in total.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Oct
Winter N swells. Rare but magical.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Brewer's Bay
💪 BVI's power option • Sharp reef • Experienced surfers
Apple Bay
🍎 BVI's most consistent • Tortola's surf hub • Clean reef waves
Josiah's Bay
🏄♂️ BVI's learn-to-surf spot • Fun A-frames • Beginner paradise
Cinnamon Bay
🏝️ National park surf • Beginner-friendly • St John beauty
Hull Bay
🇻🇮 USVI's best wave • North shore reef • Beautiful setting
Cow Wreck Beach
🐄 Anegada remote break • Uncrowded • True BVI escape
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