Crown Point
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Crown Point is a sheltered reef and point break on the southwestern side of Tobago, set up for a right-hand surf option that can produce a hollow, barrel-type wave. When the swell wraps around the point with the right North/Northwest direction, the break can deliver rideable, high-quality peel and barrel sections—especially for experienced surfers seeking a more technical reef wave. Wind at Crown Point is dominated by northeast trade winds (with an easterly component), and the spot’s best wind condition is described as coming from the northeast—helping create a groomed wave face. Typical reported wind speeds are around the low-to-high teens in knots, with reliability noted as relatively strong through the dry season (December to June). In general, the regional pattern also supports consistent trade-wind strength throughout much of the year. The reef environment is the main factor to plan around: shallow reef sections, coral/fire coral patches, and sea urchins are listed hazards, and outgoing tides or the point area can bring stronger currents. Local guidance emphasizes checking tide levels because the reef can become very shallow and sharp. Recommended safety gear commonly includes a helmet and impact protection, and a leash/boots are also mentioned in spot guidance. For timing, February is specifically highlighted as the best month, and December through March is described as a strong window for swell consistency and reliable trade winds. Crowd levels are described as unlikely to be too crowded even when surf is up, though riders are advised to respect local surfers and the reef environment.
- Hollow right-hand barrel potential on a sheltered reef/point break
- Best wind direction is northeast trade flow
- February is singled out as the best month
- Reef hazards require tide and hazard awareness
- Sheltered right-hand reef/point break with fairly consistent surf
- Best wind setup comes from the northeast trade-wind direction
- Very clear water quality is described for the area
- Not usually crowded even when surf is up
- Reef hazards (including coral/fire coral) and sharp shallow sections at low tide
- Currents can be strong around the point/outgoing tides
- Larger swell can create very hazardous heaving barrels
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- NE, E
- Wind Range
- 11–18 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Dominant northeast/easterly trade-wind flow.
- Reliability
- 60-75% of days in dry season
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady (no gustiness emphasis).
- Best Months
- February, December, March, April, May, January
- Shadow Zones
- Some sections may be sheltered by land depending on the exact angle of the point
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Mixed — Mixed beach composition; reef bottom with access points near the airport and point.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Huge — Wave size described as huge (reef wave hazards increase with larger swell).
- Launch
- Medium — Public access via beach access points near the international airport and the southwestern tip.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty described as moderate.
Through the year
Generally quiet, but can get busy during local holidays or peak swell events.
June to November
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing is possible in the broader area, though riders often prefer nearby lagoon conditions.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
More common at nearby protected beaches; advanced riders may use the waves at the point in appropriate conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6.5 m²
Reef can be shallow, making foiling challenging unless riding further out into deeper water.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil friendliness limited due to shallow reef.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Sheltered reef/point break with fairly consistent surf. Known for a hollow right-hand barrel (can be right-hand barrel-focused and occasionally includes a high-quality short left) when the swell wraps around the point.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- N
- Swell Height
- 1.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide mentioned as optimal.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Sheltered overall; also described as semi-sheltered depending on conditions/angle.
- Wind Effect
- Best with northeast wind; described as offshore in Northeast winds which helps groom the wave face.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells from the North which wrap into the bay; hazards increase with heaving barrels.
- Wave Quality
- World class — World-class quality described for the right-hand hollow barrel; some sources rate overall quality as average.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Also described as moderate in some conditions; when it delivers, it’s noted as powerful.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow right-hand barrel described; some sources also describe it as peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel described as medium.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride described as medium in length/offerings.
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer a decent peeling right-hander when North swells wrap around the point.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Crown Point in the full forecast view.
Crown Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–13 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- E101°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2913 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–0.8 m6s period
- Temperature
- 27–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Crown Point is forecast for daytime winds of 6–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.6–0.8 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
- fire coral
- heaving barrels
- coral reefs
- sea urchins
- strong currents
- boat traffic
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards indicated for the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional maritime safety coverage; spot-level rescue not confirmed.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Scarborough.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism described; overall crowding described as low even when surf is up.
Rules of the spot
Unlikely to be too crowded, even when the surf is up. Respect local surfers and the reef environment.
- Check the tide levels as the reef can get very shallow and sharp.
- The best conditions usually occur when North or Northwest swells are present.
- Respect the reef environment.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Scarborough
- Nearest Town
- Crown Point
- Nearest Airport
- A.N.R. Robinson International Airport (TAB) (also described as the local Crown Point aerodrome area nearby).
- Parking
- Park right at the spot next to Tobago's Crown Point International Airport. Limited parking available near the beach access points.
- Access
- Approximately 1 km from Tobago Airport; park right at the spot.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels, guesthouses, and villas available in Crown Point and Store Bay areas.
- Food & Drink
- Many local food stalls and restaurants within walking distance in the Crown Point village.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited surf rentals may be available at shops in nearby tourist areas; wider regional availability for kite/windsurf/wingfoil equipment is noted through established centers.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The southwest Tobago area centered around Scarborough/Crown Point is a tourism hub with clear water and convenient access to wind-driven activities.
Offshore sandbar with waist-deep crystal clear water in the middle of the ocean.
Best-preserved colonial fort in Tobago with panoramic views of the Atlantic coast.
Accessible coral reef exploration via glass-bottom boats.
Known for local 'crab and dumpling' and other traditional Tobagonian street food.
Protected beach park with calm waters, cabanas, and facilities ideal for children.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Crown Point?
The best overall months at Crown Point are December, January, February, March, April, May. The best wind months are February, December, March, April, May, January.
Which wind directions work at Crown Point?
Crown Point works with NE winds. Offshore directions are NE, E.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Crown Point?
Recommended equipment sizes at Crown Point: Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 11–18 kts.
What skill level is Crown Point suitable for?
Crown Point suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.