Dunkleys (Devonshire)

KitesurfingWingfoilingSurfing
Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Intermediate to Advanced
Skill Level
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Dunkleys is an exposed reef break on Bermuda’s North Shore that’s known for very consistent surf. Surf-spot reporting highlights strong performance when swells and wind line up—especially when a south-southeast swell coincides with offshore wind conditions associated with the north-northwest setup. The break is sheltered at neither the local nor the operational level; it is explicitly described as exposed, meaning conditions can change quickly. The wave bottom is reef with sharp coral and rock hazards, including shallow coral heads and volcanic rock formations. This makes the spot higher risk than sandy-beach locations, and local guidance specifically recommends surfed conditions at mid to high tide to create a safety buffer over shallow coral. Additional risk can include strong rips during larger swells. September stands out as the most consistent month for surf, and crowding is reported as rarely crowded. Wind data signals a mix of blown/small fractions overall, which supports the idea that the spot’s best days depend heavily on getting the wind-offshore window right for a clean, rideable reef setup. Overall, Dunkleys is best viewed as an advanced-leaning reef location where intermediate riders can succeed if they are comfortable with shallow reef impacts and hazard navigation. Kitesurfing and wingfoiling are sometimes possible due to the North Shore’s general wind access, but the shallow rocky reef and underwater hazards mean those options skew toward experienced riders only.

  • Very consistent exposed reef surf
  • Best month: September
  • Rarely crowded
  • Reef/coral hazards—requires careful tide and hazard management
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Exposed reef break known for very consistent surf
  • Best month is September with strong consistency signals
  • Rarely crowded
Heads up
  • Reef/coral hazards (rocks, coral, shallow heads) increase risk
  • Shallow reef can make rides short and unforgiving
  • No lifeguards at the break
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
N, NNE, NW
Offshore directions
N, NNE, NNW, NW
Wind Range
12–22 kts
Wind Type
Mixed — Spot-level reports a mixed wind regime; conditions often rely on offshore wind relative to the reef break.
Reliability
moderate
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts — Reported moderate gustiness.
Best Months
September
Recommended Kite Sizes
9–12 m²

Water & beach

Water Type
Ocean
Beach
Reef — Reef-dominant shoreline/bottom.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Medium — Reef break with medium wave size reported.
Launch
Small — Rocky shoreline access with limited sandy patches nearby.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Rocky access and shallow reef hazards increase launch complexity.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
18–29 °C
Water Temperature
17–31 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Apr: 3/2mm or 4/3mmMay–Dec: rash guard or shorty
Crowds by Season

Rarely crowded; more locals during weekend swells

Storm/Rain Season

Hurricane season runs from June to November

By sport

What to expect for each.

KitesurfingSkill Level

Primarily a surf spot, but the North Shore can be used for kitesurfing on days with side-shore or side-onshore winds; rocky/shallow reef makes it suitable only for experienced riders.

WaveFoil
Kite Sizes
9–12 m²
WingfoilingSkill Level

Possible on days with sufficient depth over the reef; underwater hazards are a concern.

Foil Friendly
Limited — Foil-friendly conditions are reported as limited due to hazards.
Min Depth
1.5 meters
Wing Sizes
4–6 m²
SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed reef break with very consistent surf; works particularly well when a south-southeast swell combines with offshore wind conditions from the north-northwest.

Reef break
Optimal Swell
SSE
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
Mid, High — Local guidance recommends mid to high tide for a safety buffer over shallow coral.
Shelter
Exposed — Open/exposed reef break.
Wind Effect
Offshore winds blow from the South and Southwest (relative to the reported wind direction/offshore setup); best offshore wind is associated with north-northwest conditions.
Bigger Swell
Can become heavy and close out on very large northerly swells.
Wave Quality
Average — Wave quality reported as average; overall consistency is a key advantage.
Wave Power
Moderate — Reported as moderate wave power.
Wave Shape
Peeling — Wave shape described as peeling.
Peel Speed
Medium — Peeling/medium peel reported on the reef.
Ride Length
Short — Short, punchy rides.
Typical Ride Length
50–100 m
Ride Length Details
Short, punchy rides over a shallow reef shelf.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Dunkleys (Devonshire) in the full forecast view.

Dunkleys (Devonshire) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
14–33 ktsGusts 42 kts
Direction
ENE59°
Strongest day
Sun, Oct 2533 kts
Windy days
7/712 kts or more
Waves
0.7–2.0 m6s period
Temperature
23–26 °C

Over the next 7 days, Dunkleys (Devonshire) is forecast for daytime winds of 14–33 kts, peaking around 33 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 42 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.7–2.0 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
  • Rocks
  • Coral
  • Urchins
  • Strong rips during large swells
Ability Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
BootsWetsuitHarness

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — Rescue monitoring is provided via Bermuda maritime services; spot-level sources indicate no dedicated rescue presence at the break.
Emergency Info
King Edward VII Memorial Hospital is the nearest medical facility in Paget Parish.
Localism / Vibe
Mild — Low-friction local scene; spot is primarily known within the local surfing community.

Rules of the spot

Rides are hazardous due to shallow reef/coral; stay mindful of changing water depth and boat traffic in the distance.

Local Tips
  • Best surfed at mid to high tide to provide a safety buffer over the shallow coral
  • Keep an eye out for boat traffic in the distance

Getting there & access

Nearest City
North Shore Village
Nearest Town
North Shore Village
Nearest Airport
L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA)
Parking
Limited roadside parking or small public turn-offs nearby
Public Transport
Excellent coverage via the island-wide bus and ferry system
Access
Accessible via North Shore Road in Devonshire Parish
Cost Level
Expensive
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Nearby town — Guesthouses and hotels are available in the central parishes.
Food & Drink
Local grocery stores and cafes along North Shore Road.
Equipment Rental:
Limited surf rental options on the island; better to bring your own gear.
Gear Storage
Limited to specific school facilities and private residential rentals; no public beach lockers.
Gear Repair
Yes
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

The area is closely tied to nearby Hamilton and Flatts Village, with rugged North Shore scenery and easy day-trip access to major Bermuda attractions.

Best time to visit: Spring and autumn provide the best balance of reliable winds and pleasant air temperatures for tourism.
Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ)2km

One of the world’s oldest aquariums featuring local marine life and global exhibits.

Bermuda Railway Trail1km

A scenic walking and biking trail that follows the historic train route across the North Shore.

Spittal Pond Nature Reserve4km

The island’s largest bird sanctuary offering dramatic coastal cliffs and hiking trails.

Village Pantry2km

A popular local eatery in Flatts Village focusing on farm-to-table and ocean-to-table dishes.

Shelly Bay Park3km

A calm, shallow beach nearby with a playground and picnic areas, ideal for children.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Dunkleys (Devonshire)?

The best overall months at Dunkleys (Devonshire) are September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, August. The best wind months are September.

Which wind directions work at Dunkleys (Devonshire)?

Dunkleys (Devonshire) works with N, NNE, NW winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NNW, NW.

What equipment sizes are recommended at Dunkleys (Devonshire)?

Recommended equipment sizes at Dunkleys (Devonshire): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–22 kts.

What skill level is Dunkleys (Devonshire) suitable for?

Dunkleys (Devonshire) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.