Surf Bay
Surf Bay in the Falkland Islands represents one of Earth's most unlikely surf destinations—a sub-Antarctic beach where South Atlantic storms produce waves that break with penguins waddling on shore and elephant seals hauled out nearby. The water is frigid (requiring serious exposure gear), the conditions are challenging, and the setting is utterly unlike anywhere else on Earth. The name "Surf Bay" suggests the waves have been noticed for a long time, though the surfing community here consists mainly of British military personnel and the occasional adventurous traveler. Genuinely unique.
Surf Bay surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ENE (70°)
- Direction range
- 50° - 85°
- Size range
- 1m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.9m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Offshore range
- 230° - 310°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 2m
Water temp
7°C
Wetsuit
6/5mm + boots, gloves, hood
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Near Stanley. Named for its surf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Surf Bay?
Surf Bay is a beach break in Stanley, Falkland Islands, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Surf Bay?
Surf Bay picks up swell from the NE round to the E, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the ENE. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.9 to 2.5m. 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 Surf Bay?
A W wind is dead offshore at Surf Bay, and anything from the SW round to the NW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 7am to midday. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Surf Bay?
Surf Bay has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.5m to 2m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Surf Bay?
The most reliable run of swell at Surf Bay comes Oct to Mar. There's a second window in Apr and Sep too. Southern summer. Atlantic storms produce E swells.
How cold is the water at Surf Bay?
The water at Surf Bay averages around 7°C, so you'll want a 6/5mm with boots, gloves and a hood. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Surf 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 1/10). Very cold water (5-10C). Very remote. Penguins on beach.
How do I get to Surf Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is MPN, then it's roughly a 10-minute drive. Near Stanley. Named for its surf.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, Sep
Southern summer. Atlantic storms produce E swells.