Gibara
Gibara is a beach break on Cuba's remote north coast near Holguín—offering consistent waves without needing huge swells to work. The uncrowded lineups and authentic Cuban experience make this worth the journey east from Havana.
Gibara 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
- 320° - 20°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2m
- Ideal size
- 1.2m - 1.7m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 60° - 120°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.2m - 2.5m
Water temp
27°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Holguín province. Remote north coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Gibara?
Gibara is a beach break in Holguín, Cuba, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Gibara?
Gibara picks up swell from the NW round to the NNE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the N. It starts working at around 0.6m and handles up to about 2m, with the sweet spot around 1.2 to 1.7m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 8s 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 Gibara?
An E wind is dead offshore at Gibara, and anything from the ENE round to the ESE 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 Gibara?
Gibara has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.2m to 2.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Gibara?
The most reliable run of swell at Gibara comes Nov to Mar. There's a second window in Sep to Oct too. Rarely needs 8ft to work. Rare Cuban barrel.
How cold is the water at Gibara?
The water at Gibara 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 Gibara good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Rarely needs 8ft to work. Rare Cuban barrel.
How do I get to Gibara?
The nearest airport on our list is HOG, then it's roughly a 30-minute drive. Holguín province. Remote north coast.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Sep, Oct
Rarely needs 8ft to work. Rare Cuban barrel.