Conset Point (St. Marks)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Conset Point is a rare exposed right-hand reef break on Barbados’ Atlantic East Coast. It’s a technically demanding spot with sharp reef/rock hazards and strong rips, so it’s primarily suited to advanced surfers. The wave setup is fickle: quality requires a large Southeast swell to wrap in, and clean conditions are very dependent on wind. Southwest offshore winds are the best scenario; when the prevailing trade winds are onshore, the wave is commonly blown out and rarely clean. When it does line up, it can produce powerful rides and hold serious size. Depending on the swell and wind, the break can feel very heavy and difficult to manage as currents and exposure intensify, especially on larger days. Because it “does not work very often,” it’s generally low profile and rarely crowded. Still, conditions can change quickly, with tricky rocky entry and limited on-site help—so careful wind checks and experienced-only attendance are essential.
- Exposed right-hand reef break with serious size
- Best chance of quality comes from SE swell plus southwest offshore wind
- Rarely crowded due to inconsistency and technical access
- Exposed, serious right-hand reef break that can hold significant size.
- Rare, well-regarded wave option on the East Coast when the right swell and offshore wind align.
- Typically rarely crowded.
- Reef hazards (rocks/live coral/urchins) and strong rip currents make it highly technical.
- Works infrequently and is very wind-sensitive; clean days are rare.
- Difficult/limited access and no rescue/lifeguard presence.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, W
- Offshore directions
- SW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Southwest-to-west winds are the best for surfing/offshore; generally the area is dominated by trade winds.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness noted.
- Best Months
- January, February, June, July
- Shadow Zones
- The point can be sheltered from certain northerly winds by the cliffs.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Reef — Reef substrate; bottom described as coral/reef.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Huge — Serious size is emphasized; can hold significant/heavy swell.
- Launch
- Small — Difficult entry through rocky shoreline or small gaps in the reef; boat access is common.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Steep, narrow access and tricky rocky entry.
Through the year
Rarely crowded due to inconsistency and difficult access.
June to November (hurricane season). October is typically the rainiest month.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A rare exposed right-hand reef break on Barbados’ rugged East Coast. It breaks over reef (live coral/reef substrate), is technically demanding, and only works well with a large Southeast swell wrapping in plus rare favorable West/Southwest wind for clean conditions.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SE, ESE
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Optimal tide described as mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed East Coast setting with limited natural protection.
- Wind Effect
- Best with southwest offshore. Highly sensitive to trade winds; when prevailing winds are onshore the wave is rarely clean and often blown out.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant/serious size, but with heavy currents and wind it can become very heavy and difficult to manage.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality is generally good when it’s working; described as average when it’s not clean.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Holds serious size and is described as powerful.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Can be hollow, especially with the right swell setup.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling right-hand wall when it wraps in correctly.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides can extend for a decent distance when the swell is right.
- Ride Length Details
- When the swell angles correctly, it offers a powerful right-hand wall that can wall up for a decent distance.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Conset Point (St. Marks) in the full forecast view.
Conset Point (St. Marks) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 8–15 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- E93°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2515 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–1.8 m8s period
- Temperature
- 27–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Conset Point (St. Marks) is forecast for daytime winds of 8–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 1.0–1.8 m with a period of about 8s. 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
- rips
- rocks
- live coral
- urchins
- sharp rocks/boulders
- remote location with limited help
- slippery rocky entry
- sea urchins
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards present.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated rescue bases on this specific section; Barbados Coast Guard monitors territorial waters and nearby fishing communities may assist.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, dial 211 for police, 511 for ambulance, and 311 for fire. Nearest major medical facility is Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown; spot-level sources also note medical facilities in Bridgetown about 45 minutes to 1 hour away.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — A small local scene; generally described as mild localism.
Rules of the spot
Only surf when large and by experienced surfers; follow general surfing etiquette and respect local fishing boats operating out of the nearby bay.
- Not suitable for inexperienced surfers due to reef hazards and strong rips.
- Take care of rips and rocks.
- Paddle out on the left-hand side of the reef where the channel is deep.
- Only surf when it’s large enough and you are experienced.
- Entry is tricky over sharp rocks and urchins; many people don’t bother unless conditions are very good and the wind turns.
- Check the wind carefully—if it’s blowing from the East, it will likely be a mess.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Bridgetown
- Nearest Town
- Bathsheba
- Parking
- Limited parking near the fishing pier in Conset Bay; very limited access near the point itself.
- Access
- Access is via steep, narrow roads leading down to Conset Bay; the final approach to the point often requires walking along the coast or a boat. Road to Conset Bay near St. Marks' Anglican Church (St. Philip / St. John Parish line). The spot is on the East Coast of Barbados.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and rentals are available in the Bathsheba area, about 15-20 minutes away.
- Food & Drink
- Local fish fry and small shops are in Conset Bay; more options are in Bathsheba.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available on-site; gear must be brought or obtained elsewhere (e.g., from Bridgetown/Oistins per spot-level guidance).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The St. Marks area is rugged and scenic, with rocky coastline, cliffs, and a wilder Atlantic environment.
Oldest Anglican theological college in the Western Hemisphere, known for beautiful gardens and a lily pond.
Historic Gothic-style church with panoramic views of the Atlantic coastline.
Rugged trails along Atlantic cliffs with spectacular views and remote scenery.
Known for fresh seafood and Thursday night social gatherings.
A nearby protected bay with picnic facilities and calmer waters suitable for swimming.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Conset Point (St. Marks)?
The best overall months at Conset Point (St. Marks) are June, July. The best wind months are January, February, June, July.
Which wind directions work at Conset Point (St. Marks)?
Conset Point (St. Marks) works with SW, W winds. Offshore directions are SW.
What skill level is Conset Point (St. Marks) suitable for?
Conset Point (St. Marks) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.