Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Chop, Ocean, Medium waves
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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

James Point is an exposed reef break on Eleuthera with reasonably consistent surf and both left and right peeling sections. The spot is described as having good wave quality when conditions line up, with offshore wind helping groom the waves for surfing. Best performance is linked to North (or Northeast) swells, and it’s commonly noted to work best around mid tide. Hazards are significant: surfers should expect sharp coral, sea urchins, rocks, and sharks, and plan careful entry/launching and close attention at the waterline. The break is exposed, so conditions can change quickly as swell and wind build, especially on stronger days where currents may become more challenging. Access is a major practical factor. The route to James Point is described as notoriously bad and typically requires a high-clearance vehicle; the area is also characterized as completely undeveloped, so bringing sufficient supplies (water and essentials) is important. Crowds appear to be relatively low to few year-round, which helps preserve a calm lineup on suitable days, though conditions and wind quality vary—sources indicate that only a small portion of days are categorized as 'clean' versus more blown conditions.

  • Exposed reef break with both left and right peeling waves
  • Good overall wave quality with reliable seasonality
  • Generally low crowds even during peak periods
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboard
What's great
  • Exposed reef break with reasonably consistent surf
  • Works with North/Northeast swells and can offer both left and right peeling waves
  • Low crowd levels reported, even on good days
Heads up
  • Reef hazards: sharp coral, sea urchins, rocks, and sharks
  • Remote/undeveloped access and limited nearby services means you must be self-sufficient
  • Wind can be 'blown' on many days (few 'clean' wind conditions overall)
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
SW, W, S
Offshore directions
SW
Wind Range
13–18 kts
Wind Type
Trade — Southwest-to-trade flow described for James Point; offshore component helps groom waves for surfing.
Reliability
low (sources report only a small share of 'clean' wind days vs mostly blown conditions).
Gust Factor
Steady — Sources describe steady conditions (and also report a low fraction of 'clean' wind days overall).
Best Months
January, February, March, December

Water & beach

Water Type
Chop, Ocean, Medium waves
Beach
Reef — Reef and mixed rocky areas around the launch/break.
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Small — Sources also describe medium-sized surf depending on conditions; reef break can range from small to more substantial surf with stronger swell.
Chop Level
Heavy chop — Some sources describe chop as a defining water characteristic.
Launch
Small — Sharp reef with rocks; self-launch is feasible but requires care.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
23–30 °C
Water Temperature
20–32 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
May–Oct: boardshorts (spring/summer)Nov–Apr: 3/2mm full suit or shorty (winter months)
Crowds by Season

Relatively few surfers year-round; lower crowds are attributed to remote access.

Storm/Rain Season

Hurricane season runs from June through November (peak in August and September).

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed reef break with reasonably consistent surf and both left and right peeling reef waves. Works best with North (or Northeast) swells and offshore winds from the southwest.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
N
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Sources consistently indicate mid tide as the best time.
Shelter
Exposed — Open Atlantic-facing reef exposure.
Wind Effect
Offshore winds from the southwest or south help groom waves; north winds can blow it out.
Bigger Swell
Holds size well; stronger swells/currents can make sessions more challenging. Mid-to-high swell days can produce cleaner peeling rights.
Wave Quality
Good — Good overall wave quality described, with reliability varying by swell strength.
Wave Power
Moderate
Wave Shape
Peeling
Peel Speed
Medium
Typical Ride Length
100–150 m
Ride Length Details
Rides reported up to about 150 meters on good days; otherwise medium ride length typical.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for James Point in the full forecast view.

James Point wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
7–13 ktsGusts 18 kts
Direction
NE49°
Strongest day
Sat, Oct 2413 kts
Windy days
1/712 kts or more
Waves
1.0–2.5 m9s period
Temperature
26–28 °C

Over the next 7 days, James Point is forecast for daytime winds of 7–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.0–2.5 m with a period of about 9s. 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

  • Urchins
  • Rocks
  • Coral
  • Sharks
  • Sharp coral heads, sea urchins, and rocky outcrops
  • Remote location
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
BootsLeash

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards indicated.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No dedicated on-water rescue services indicated.
Emergency Info
No dedicated on-water rescue services are indicated. Nearest medical services are described as being in James Cistern or Governor's Harbour.
Localism / Vibe
None — No localism friction noted.

Rules of the spot

Restrictions
  • Spot is remote and undeveloped; be self-sufficient with supplies.
Local Tips
  • Take care of urchins, rocks, sharks and coral.
  • Best around mid tide.
  • Bring plenty of water and supplies as the spot is completely undeveloped.
  • Plan for difficult access: the road to James Point is notoriously bad; use a high-clearance Jeep/truck.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Governors Harbour
Nearest Town
James Cistern
Nearest Airport
Governor's Harbour Airport (GHB)
Parking
Informal parking available at the end of the access track near the beach.
Public Transport
Virtually non-existent; car rentals or taxis are essential for navigating the region.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Nearby town — Vacation rentals and small guest houses are available in nearby towns.
Food & Drink
No facilities at the beach; food and water must be brought from nearby towns.
Equipment Rental:
No rental shops at the spot; gear should be brought with you.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at James Point?

The best overall months at James Point are December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, December.

Which wind directions work at James Point?

James Point works with SW, W, S winds. Offshore directions are SW.

What skill level is James Point suitable for?

James Point suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.