Le Bec a Cheri (Gustavia)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Le Bec a Cheri is a fairly exposed point break in the Gustavia harbor area, known for having reliable, fairly consistent surf when the swell and wind align. The break is described as left-hand and tends to produce peeling waves, especially when a North-to-Northwest swell arrives with offshore southwest winds. Wind is a key part of the quality here: southwest winds are reported as ideal because they act offshore and help groom the wave. When winds turn onshore (for example, from the North), the wave can get messy. In general, planning is centered on the September highlight month, with conditions commonly discussed as strongest then. The main practical challenge is safety. The spot has rocks as a primary hazard, and sources also warn about sharp rock areas at takeoff plus a shallow reef near the end of the wave. Near the harbor entrance there can be strong currents, and boat traffic around yachts and ferries means surfers must stay clear of the maritime channel. While local sources describe it as well-known and sometimes crowded, the overall recommendation is intermediate riders who can manage the exposed, rocky environment and who can time sessions carefully around boat activity. Be mindful of point-break etiquette, and prioritize safety by keeping distance from the active harbor channel.
- Fairly exposed left-hand point break with consistent surf
- Offshore southwest winds help groom the wave
- Best swell match described as North to North-Northwest
- Rocks and harbor traffic require extra caution
- Fairly exposed point break with reliably surfable conditions
- Best wind conditions reported from the southwest (offshore-southwest)
- Peeling waves can offer long rides on the right swell
- Rocks and sharp takeoff make wipeouts more punishing
- Boat traffic and strong currents near the harbor entrance/approach
- Can get quite busy
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW
- Offshore directions
- SW
- Wind Range
- 12–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind regime (easterly to east–north-east) with daily thermal reinforcement in the Gustavia area; spot-level sources describe southwest as the best wind direction.
- Reliability
- 44% blown
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- September
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs near the harbor entrance can create wind shadows depending on direction.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry near the point or paddling from the nearby harbor area.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
Through the year
Can get busy in high season (December to January) when swells are good.
Hurricane season typically runs from June to November.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Fairly exposed point break at the mouth/entrance area of Gustavia harbor; consistent surf when the right swell meets offshore wind.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- N, NNW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Point/harbor-entrance exposure; semi-shelter is suggested by some shelter conditions, but overall described as exposed.
- Wind Effect
- South or Southwest winds are offshore and groom the wave; North winds are onshore and make it messy.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well but becomes more difficult due to currents and proximity to the channel.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Consistent peeling waves; quality improves with offshore southwest winds.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can offer rides up to about 150 meters on a good swell.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides reported around 50–150 meters, with up to ~150 meters possible on a good swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Le Bec a Cheri (Gustavia) in the full forecast view.
Le Bec a Cheri (Gustavia) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 10–17 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- ESE107°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2517 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.3 m6s period
- Temperature
- 28–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Le Bec a Cheri (Gustavia) is forecast for daytime winds of 10–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.9–1.3 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
- Rocks
- Sharp rocks at the takeoff
- Shallow reef at the end of the wave
- Boat traffic
- Significant boat traffic entering Gustavia harbor
- Strong currents
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Emergency response via island medical services; EU-wide emergency number 112 and local medical emergency number 15 (as listed for the island).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Mild/no localism indicated in available sources.
Rules of the spot
Standard point break etiquette; avoid the active harbor channel. Rocks require extra caution.
- No surfing in the active harbor channel
- Watch out for rocks in the water.
- Be extremely mindful of the boat channel; surfing too close to the harbor entrance can be dangerous and interfere with maritime traffic.
- Watch for yachts and ferries entering the harbor.
- The spot can get quite busy; expect some crowding.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Gustavia
- Nearest Town
- Gustavia
- Nearest Airport
- Gustavia/St.Barthel (SBH) Airport
- Parking
- Limited street parking is available in Gustavia and near the Fort Oscar area.
- Access
- Accessible from Saint Barthélemy's main town area; closest airport is Gustavia/St. Barthélemy (SBH) Airport (~2 km away).
- Cost Level
- Luxury
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous luxury hotels and villas are available within Gustavia.
- Food & Drink
- A wide variety of upscale restaurants and bars are located within walking distance in Gustavia.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard rentals are available at shops in Gustavia and Saint Jean.
- Gear Storage
- Storage facilities are primarily offered by local watersports centers on the beachfront.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repair services for boards and sails are offered via local schools and specialized workshops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Pictoresque harbor known for luxury yachts, high-end duty-free shopping, and red-roofed buildings.
Iconic sunset view over the harbor with ships and cliffs.
A beach covered in tiny seashells, within walking distance of the capital.
Historic colonial town center with Swedish-era architecture.
Historical ruins offering panoramic views over Gustavia and the surrounding islands.
Hiking trails to Pointe Milou and the northern cliffs.
Scenic coastal trail leading to the remote and pristine Colombier Beach.
Upscale French and Caribbean cuisine with sea views.
Historic waterfront bar in Gustavia.
An iconic casual island bar in Gustavia, known for its history and atmosphere.
Snorkeling at shallow reefs and calm bays.
Semi-submersible underwater tours of the marine reserve and local shipwrecks.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Le Bec a Cheri (Gustavia)?
The best overall months at Le Bec a Cheri (Gustavia) are September.
Which wind directions work at Le Bec a Cheri (Gustavia)?
Le Bec a Cheri (Gustavia) works with SW winds. Offshore directions are SW.
What skill level is Le Bec a Cheri (Gustavia) suitable for?
Le Bec a Cheri (Gustavia) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.