The surf season in the BVI runs from November through April giving an approximate 180 day season. Tortola has different breaks for all levels and there is a few breaks off Tortola, but these are generally only for advanced reef riders.
There is occasionally surf in the months of October and May but it cant be relied on. Summer months sometimes produce storm swells but it definitely should not be counted upon.
Cooten Bay
Distance from villa: 1 minute walk Minimum level: Advanced Type of break: Reef break Direction: Left Size: Up to 8 feet, usually 3-5 feet Type of wave: Long left Number of people: Usually nobody, sometimes a few How often it breaks per season: 75% so expect about 130 - 140 days per year
Rogues Bay (Lavaflow)
Distance from villa: 3 minute drive Minimum level: Intermediate Type of break: Sand break, shallow water Direction: Left and right Size: Up to 7 feet, usually 3-5 feet Type of wave: Short wave, really heavy hollow barrels Number of people: Usually nobody, sometimes a couple How often it breaks per season: 75% so expect about 130 - 140 days per year
Josiah's Bay
Distance from villa: 10 minute drive or 20 minute paddle on surfboard Minimum level: Beginner Type of break: Sand break Direction: Left and right Size: Up to 6 feet, usually 2-4 feet Type of wave: Slow easy to ride wave Number of people: 5-20 How often it breaks per season:85% so expect 150 to 160 days per year
There is a surf school at Josiah’s Bay beach. To get there you leave the Estate by turning left onto the Ridge Road and proceed until you reach a cross roads, about 2 miles. Josiah’s Bay is signposted, you turn left. You then follow the road for about 1 mile and you are there. There are a couple of beach bars and some wooden umbrellas for shade. http://www.surfschoolbvi.com/
Cane Garden Bay
Distance from villa: 20 minute drive Minimum level: Advanced Type of break: Point break on a reef Direction: Right Size: Up to 12 feet, usually 5-7 feet Type of wave: extremely consistent and smooth, every wave the same, one of the best breaks in the Caribbean Number of people: 1 - 70. This is a very popular spot on the few occasions it does break. However if you catch it before word spreads that it's firing you could get to surf it alone. We have. How often it breaks per season:10% so don't expect it to break more than 20 days per year
Apple Bay (Sometimes known as Capoon's Bay)
Distance from villa: 25 minute drive Minimum level: Intermediate Type of break: Reef break Direction: Right and left Size: Up to 7 feet, usually 4-5 feet Type of wave: Short, clean wave Number of people: 15-30. This break has a fair bit of surf tourism as you will frequently find a large crowd there (by Caribbean standards) How often it breaks per season: 60% so about 120 days per year
