Cotton Trees
Cotton Trees is the crown jewel of Robertsport, a long left point that can offer rides of half a mile or more when conditions align. The wave breaks beneath towering cotton trees in the primary rainforest, creating one of surfing's most unique settings. When SW swells arrive during the rainy season, the wave peels perfectly along the point, offering endless walls and the occasional barrel section. This is world-class surfing in one of the world's most remote locations.
Cotton Trees surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (210°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 240°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2m - 2.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (45°)
- Offshore range
- 20° - 80°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 2m
Water temp
27°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Crown jewel of Robertsport. Can connect for half-mile rides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Cotton Trees?
Cotton Trees is a point break in Robertsport, Liberia, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Cotton Trees?
Cotton Trees picks up swell from the S round to the WSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. 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 Cotton Trees?
A NE wind is dead offshore at Cotton Trees, and anything from the NNE round to the E keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Cotton Trees?
Cotton Trees has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.3m to 2m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Cotton Trees?
The most reliable run of swell at Cotton Trees comes Apr to Oct. There's a second window in Mar and Nov too. SW swell season. Rainy season best.
How cold is the water at Cotton Trees?
The water at Cotton Trees 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 Cotton Trees 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). Remote location. Primary rainforest backdrop.
How do I get to Cotton Trees?
The nearest airport on our list is ROB, then it's roughly a 2-hour drive. Crown jewel of Robertsport. Can connect for half-mile rides.
What other surf spots are near Cotton Trees?
The closest breaks we track are Cutting Point (0.9 km), Camp Point (0.9 km) and Cassava Point (1.3 km), handy when Cotton Trees isn't working. We track 8 spots around Robertsport in total.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Mar, Nov
SW swell season. Rainy season best.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Cutting Point
✂️ Easy paddle channel • Quality left walls • Uncrowded lineup
Camp Point
⛺ Forgiving left point • Sandy bottom • Intermediate-friendly
Cassava Point
🥔 Long peeling lefts • Warm water paradise • Uncrowded perfection
Shipwreck (Robertsport)
🚢 Named for the wreck • Powerful reef left • Consistent barrels
Jocoli (El Loco)
🚶 30-min walk reward • Consistent left • Performance walls
Fisherman's Point
🚣 Gateway to Robertsport • Hollow rights • Fishermen's launch point