Anse des Cayes (Gustavia)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Anse des Cayes is a well-regarded reef break on the north coast of Gustavia that delivers consistently good surf, including rollers that are often described as impressive. It produces both left and right-hand waves and is especially known for working well during winter and spring. The spot’s reef and coral bottom creates a thrilling but unforgiving environment. The shallow reef means entry and exit require care, and sea urchins are a specific hazard. Visitors are advised to wear booties and to check tide timing because low water can make the reef dangerously shallow. For surf performance, conditions are best aligned with north to northeast swell, and the spot is described as exposed enough to hold its character when swells build. On larger swells it can become very powerful and shifts toward an expert-only experience, with ride sections often described as peeling over the reef. Crowd pressure is generally low with the spot described as rarely crowded, though it can attract more attention when surf is particularly good. Local surfers use the lineup regularly, so respecting established priority is part of having a safe, smooth session. Medical support is based in Gustavia.
- Consistent reef break with both left and right-hand waves
- Strong winter/spring performance with north swells
- Hazardous shallow reef entry (sea urchins); booties recommended
- Very consistent reef break with both left and right-hand waves.
- Particularly strong during winter and spring north-swell periods.
- Rarely crowded most of the time.
- Shallow reef and rocky entry with sea urchins make getting in and out hazardous.
- Can produce rip currents during larger north swells.
- No lifeguards on site.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SW
- Offshore directions
- S, SW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Dominated by trade winds (Alizés), generally easterly to east–north-east; locally can be onshore/cross-onshore for this north-facing bay.
- Reliability
- The area is dominated by consistent trade winds; these can be onshore or cross-onshore for this north-facing bay.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Trade-wind regime described as steady; no strong gust category provided beyond that.
- Best Months
- January, February, December, March, April
- Thermal Window
- Other · Afternoon · Regional pattern includes daily thermal reinforcement of the trade winds, with sessions most typical in the afternoon.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Mixed — Beach area is described as a mix of sand and rocks.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Medium on typical days; becomes very powerful on larger winter swells.
- Launch
- Medium — Mix of sand and rocks; shallow reef requires careful entry.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Careful entry needed due to shallow coral/reef and sea urchins.
Through the year
Can get crowded when the swell is good, especially with locals and during surf competitions.
Hurricane season typically runs from June to November.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Generally unsuitable for beginners due to shallow reef and rocky entry; experienced riders may foil only when conditions allow, with extreme caution. Very shallow reef makes foiling hazardous.
- Foil Friendly
- No — Foil friendly: no; hazardous due to shallow reef.
- Min Depth
- Very shallow reef makes foiling hazardous.
Fairly exposed reef break on the north coast with reasonably consistent surf and incredible rollers; works on both left and right-hand waves and holds size during winter north swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Reef break on the north coast is described as fairly exposed; overall shelter level is mixed between exposed and semi-sheltered in the available descriptions.
- Wind Effect
- Best with south or southwest winds which provide offshore conditions; trade winds from the northeast are described as onshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles larger swells well but becomes very powerful and expert-only.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Quality described as good; holds consistent, fun rollers.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Often consistent; can become very powerful on larger winter swells.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Described as mixed, with peeling sections.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Fast, peeling sections over the reef are commonly described.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Medium ride length; fast peeling sections are noted.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can offer fast, peeling sections over the reef.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Anse des Cayes (Gustavia) in the full forecast view.
Anse des Cayes (Gustavia) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 9–17 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- ESE107°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2517 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.3 m6s period
- Temperature
- 28–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Anse des Cayes (Gustavia) is forecast for daytime winds of 9–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.8–1.3 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Sharp coral reef
- Sea urchins
- Rocks
- Shallow water
- Rip currents during larger swells
- Coral
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level source states no rescue availability for this specific location.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Gustavia.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Local surfers use the lineup regularly; visitors should respect established priority.
Rules of the spot
Check the tide before heading out, as low tide can be dangerously shallow over the reef. Respect the lineup (this spot is popular with local surfers).
- Avoid foiling over very shallow reef (high hazard).
- Booties are highly recommended due to rocky entry and sea urchins.
- Check the tide before heading out, as low tide can be dangerously shallow over the reef.
- This spot is popular with local surfers; respect the lineup.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Gustavia
- Nearest Town
- Anse des Cayes
- Nearest Airport
- Gustaf III Airport (SBH)
- Parking
- Limited parking available near the beach access paths.
- Public Transport
- Limited; taxis and private vehicles primary (car/scooter/quad rentals between coastal areas)
- Access
- Accessible by road from Gustavia or the airport; short walk from parking area to the beach.
- Cost Level
- Luxury
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Several luxury villas and hotels are located directly behind or near the beach.
- Food & Drink
- Local restaurants and hotels are within walking distance.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf rentals are usually available in Gustavia or St. Jean, but not directly on this beach.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Pictoresque harbor known for luxury yachts, high-end duty-free shopping, and red-roofed buildings.
Iconic sunset view over the harbor with ships and cliffs.
A beach covered in tiny seashells, within walking distance of the capital.
Historic colonial town center with Swedish-era architecture.
Historical ruins offering panoramic views over Gustavia and the surrounding islands.
Hiking trails to Pointe Milou and the northern cliffs.
Scenic coastal trail leading to the remote and pristine Colombier Beach.
Upscale French and Caribbean cuisine with sea views.
Historic waterfront bar in Gustavia.
An iconic casual island bar in Gustavia, known for its history and atmosphere.
Snorkeling at shallow reefs and calm bays.
Semi-submersible underwater tours of the marine reserve and local shipwrecks.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Anse des Cayes (Gustavia)?
The best overall months at Anse des Cayes (Gustavia) are January, February, March, December, April. The best wind months are January, February, December, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Anse des Cayes (Gustavia)?
Anse des Cayes (Gustavia) works with S, SW winds. Offshore directions are S, SW.
What skill level is Anse des Cayes (Gustavia) suitable for?
Anse des Cayes (Gustavia) suits these riding levels: Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.