Dunkleys (Devonshire)
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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
- Exposed reef break known for very consistent surf
- Best month is September with strong consistency signals
- Rarely crowded
- Reef/coral hazards (rocks, coral, shallow heads) increase risk
- Shallow reef can make rides short and unforgiving
- No lifeguards at the break
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
Rarely crowded; more locals during weekend swells
Hurricane season runs from June to November
By sport
What to expect for each.
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.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
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
Exposed reef break with very consistent surf; works particularly well when a south-southeast swell combines with offshore wind conditions from the north-northwest.
- 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.
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.
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
- Rocks
- Coral
- Urchins
- Strong rips during large swells
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.
- 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
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
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
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.
One of the world’s oldest aquariums featuring local marine life and global exhibits.
A scenic walking and biking trail that follows the historic train route across the North Shore.
The island’s largest bird sanctuary offering dramatic coastal cliffs and hiking trails.
A popular local eatery in Flatts Village focusing on farm-to-table and ocean-to-table dishes.
A calm, shallow beach nearby with a playground and picnic areas, ideal for children.
From riders who've been here
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.