Baki (Turtle Islands)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Empty
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Baki (Turtle Islands) is a remote, exposed surfing point break off the Sherbro/Turtle Islands area, known for very reliable surf and long, peeling left-hand lines. The break is described as high quality with a medium wave character overall, and it performs best when the swell aligns with the point—particularly when south swells wrap into long workable lines. Access is a major part of the experience: getting there typically requires a long, rugged multi-stage journey from the Freetown area involving a jeep segment and multiple boat transfers (or an organized boat charter). Once at the island, visitors should expect minimal infrastructure and plan to be fully self-sufficient for gear, food, and safety. Wind patterns in the region are shaped by dry-season trade-winds with an afternoon sea-breeze effect. Wind is described as having light gustiness and overall low reliability, with best conditions typically coming in the dry season—especially from November through February. For the left point, NE or E winds are described as offshore/cleaner, while the spot remains generally exposed to weather and sea conditions. Safety planning is essential: strong currents/rip currents are possible, the spot has no lifeguards or formal water rescue services, and medical help is limited and requires a multi-hour boat trip to Bonthe for basic care. Visitors are advised to bring all surf gear (including repair supplies) and travel with local support where possible.
- Exposed, very reliable point break
- Long, peeling left-hand rides on the sandy point
- Best in the dry season (notably November)
- Exceptionally remote, off-the-grid setting
- Exposed but very reliable point-break surf
- Long, peeling left-hand rides when swell aligns with the point
- Remote, off-the-grid experience with very low crowd levels
- Extremely remote and logistically demanding access (multi-leg journey by jeep and boat)
- No equipment rental or on-site gear repair
- No formal rescue services and limited emergency options due to remoteness
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, E
- Offshore directions
- NE, E
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Dry-season northeast Harmattan trade-winds (gradient) with a dependable afternoon sea-breeze effect.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Wind described as having light gustiness.
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February
- Shadow Zones
- In the lee of the island's palm forest.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand at/near the remote beach at the tip of Baki island.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Medium wave size described overall for the break.
- Launch
- Small — Remote sandy beach at the tip of Baki island.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
Through the year
Virtually non-existent; likely only one or very few surfers.
May to October is the heavy rainy season with frequent squalls and high humidity.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed, very reliable point break with a high-quality left-hand line that peels along the sandy edge. Surf is described as exposed, with reliable surf conditions.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Point is exposed to weather and swell; minimal shelter.
- Wind Effect
- Cleanest with NE or E winds which are offshore for the left point.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles larger swells well, with the point wrapping energy into long lines.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Described as very reliable with good quality when winds/swell align.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Long, peeling left-hand point break described along the sandy western edge.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Long — Long, workable faces when swell alignment is correct.
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer long, workable faces on correctly aligned south swells with the point.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Baki (Turtle Islands) in the full forecast view.
Baki (Turtle Islands) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–9 ktsGusts 12 kts
- Direction
- SW231°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 269 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–0.9 m10s period
- Temperature
- 27–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Baki (Turtle Islands) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 12 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.6–0.9 m with a period of about 10s. 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
- Extreme remoteness
- Strong currents (rip currents possible along the point)
- No medical facilities on-site
- Sun exposure
- No formal coastguard/organized water rescue services on the islands
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No formal coastguard/organized water rescue services on the islands; visitors must be entirely self-sufficient or travel with a support boat.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services can be reached via 112, but response in remote areas is extremely limited; nearest medical facilities are in Bonthe.
Rules of the spot
Bring all gear and operate with extra self-sufficiency due to extreme remoteness and no formal rescue services.
- No vehicle access; beach/launch access relies on boat landings.
- Bring all your own surf gear (including wax and repair kits).
- Travel with a local guide or organized boat charter.
- Nearest basic medical help is in Bonthe, requiring a multi-hour boat trip.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Freetown
- Nearest Town
- Bonthe
- Parking
- No vehicle access; boat landing on the beach.
- Public Transport
- Primarily private/chartered boat access from Freetown or via Bonthe; no land-based public transport to the islands.
- Access
- Accessible only by boat; typically a multi-hour journey from the Freetown/Kent side with transfers by jeep and boat (or via organized boat charter).
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English, Krio
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Far — Extremely limited; usually involves camping or very basic local guesthouses on nearby islands.
- Food & Drink
- None available on-site; visitors must bring all supplies.
- Equipment Rental:
- No equipment rental services exist on the islands.
- Gear Storage
- No dedicated gear storage available; visitors must manage their own equipment.
- Gear Repair
- No professional gear repair services available.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
An eight-island remote archipelago with unspoiled white-sand beaches and very limited development, centered around fishing and eco-focused tourism.
Unspoiled white sand beaches stretching across the eight islands.
Turquoise waters, white sand banks, and palm-lined beaches.
Traditional Sherbro fishing communities where visitors can observe local customs and hand-carved pirogues.
Visit local fishermen communities on Baki, Chepo, and Nyangei to learn about their way of life.
World-class sport fishing in waters around the archipelago, including tarpon and barracuda.
Snorkeling in pristine aqua and turquoise waters.
Basic cooking facilities at Baki Guesthouse; no formal restaurants mentioned.
Swimming and exploring beaches lined by palms and mangroves.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Baki (Turtle Islands)?
The best overall months at Baki (Turtle Islands) are November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are November, December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at Baki (Turtle Islands)?
Baki (Turtle Islands) works with N, NE, E winds. Offshore directions are NE, E.
What skill level is Baki (Turtle Islands) suitable for?
Baki (Turtle Islands) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.