Long Bay (Portland)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Chop
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Long Bay (Portland) is a long, open sandy beach on Jamaica’s northern coast, known for crystal-clear water and small-to-medium waves. Surf is described as an exposed beach break that can deliver both lefts and rights, but conditions can be inconsistent and choppy depending on wind. Water conditions are reported as warm year-round, typically about 26–29°C, and a wetsuit is generally not needed for comfort. For surfing, the trade-wind pattern often adds chop; better surf is reported when winds are lighter or from the SW (offshore), while swell coming from the east (NE/ENE/E) is repeatedly cited as the most favorable direction. Kitesurfing is possible when wind is well oriented, but this spot is also described as marginal for kitesurfing because documented wind reliability can be extremely low and average winds can be weak. If you do attempt it, plan for timing around the strongest wind windows and be ready to manage a shorebreak strong enough to challenge launches. Safety is a key constraint: hazards include rip currents (especially when swell is larger), a strong shorebreak, and submerged rocks/reef patches located toward the far ends of the bay. With no formal rescue coverage documented, riders should rely on sound beach judgment, careful launch timing, and conservative spacing from hazard areas.
- Crystal-clear water and warm temperatures
- Exposed beach-break surfing with both lefts and rights
- Kitesurfing can work when wind is well oriented, but reliability is a major limiter
- Submerged hazards and strong shorebreak require conservative launches
- Warm water year-round (typically around 26–29°C) and crystal-clear water
- Good pocket of Atlantic swell for an exposed beach break with lefts and rights
- Laid-back access and amenities nearby (toilets/food and parking referenced)
- Extremely low wind reliability has been noted, making kite sessions unpredictable
- Choppy conditions from prevailing trades can reduce surfing/water smoothness
- Strong shorebreak and submerged rocks/reef patches toward the bay ends increase risk
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, ENE, E
- Offshore directions
- SW
- No-go directions
- SW
- Wind Range
- 4.1 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Predominantly NE Trade Winds; most favorable roughly in the late-morning to afternoon window.
- Reliability
- Extremely low at times for kitesurfing (very low documented reliability for the site).
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small-to-medium beach break; smaller windows described around ~0.6–1.2 m and ~1.0–2.5 m reported for a more optimized surfier swell.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Prevailing trades commonly create chop.
- Launch
- Medium — Long, narrow sandy beach with space to set up; shallow nearshore/visible rocky sections require careful planning.
Through the year
Generally quiet; can be busier with locals on weekends.
June to November (hurricane season), with higher rainfall typically in October.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Highly dependent on orientation and timing; site can offer rideable sessions when winds are well aligned, but kitesurfing is described as marginal due to extremely low wind reliability and weak average winds.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Possible but less popular; shorebreak can make launching larger gear challenging for beginners.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–6.5 m²
Suitable once you clear the shorebreak; watch for occasional reef/rock heads near the far ends of the beach.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Water described as deep enough for foils.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach break with inconsistent, small-to-medium waves; works when swell comes in from the east and when winds are more favorable.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NE, ENE, E
- Swell Height
- 0.6–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- NE trade winds commonly make conditions choppy; best surfing is reported when winds are light or when wind is coming from the SW (offshore).
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and disorganized on a larger NE swell; may close out when swell is too large.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Quality reported as good in smaller windows; wind can increase chop.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Waves tend to be short to medium length and may close out when swell gets too large.
- Ride Length Details
- Short to medium rides; may close out on larger swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Long Bay (Portland) in the full forecast view.
Long Bay (Portland) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- SE126°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 248 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–0.9 m6s period
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Long Bay (Portland) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 0.4–0.9 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
- Rip currents (noted especially when swell is larger)
- Strong shorebreak
- Submerged rocks/reef patches toward the far ends of the bay
- Visible rocky sections in shallow nearshore zone
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No specific kite-focused rescue service documented; safety described as relying on local/informal help.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facility: Port Antonio General Hospital (approx. 30 minutes away). Emergency services: 119 (Police) and 110 (Fire/Ambulance).
Rules of the spot
No formal rules documented; use standard caution when launching/landing due to shallow nearshore/shorebreak and the presence of rocks/reef patches toward the ends of the bay.
- Be prepared for a strong shorebreak when launching.
- Be aware the current can pull toward the rocks at the northern end of the beach.
- If kitesurfing, only attempt when wind is well oriented, since wind reliability is extremely low for consistent sessions.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Port Antonio
- Nearest Town
- Long Bay
- Nearest Airport
- Norman Manley International Airport (KIN)
- Parking
- Parking is available along the roadside or at local guest houses and bars (also referenced as roadside access near the beach).
- Public Transport
- Route taxis and minibuses along the coastal road.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous small guest houses, villas, and boutique cottages are located along the beach area; more eco-lodges and family-run options than large resorts.
- Food & Drink
- Several local bars and restaurants serve Jamaican cuisine and seafood.
- Equipment Rental:
- Very limited local rental; visitors are strongly advised to bring their own kite or wing equipment. Equipment rental availability is referenced as limited.
- Gear Storage
- Available at select surf-friendly guesthouses in the Long Bay and Boston Bay areas.
- Gear Repair
- No professional kite repair shops in the immediate vicinity; only basic sail/surfboard repair may be found locally.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Portland Parish is described as rugged and green, with eco-tourism and surf culture closely tied to nearby coastal areas.
A deep natural lagoon known for vibrant shades of blue and a mix of fresh and salt water.
Historical home of Jamaican jerk cuisine, featuring numerous traditional jerk pits.
A lush eco-attraction featuring a waterfall, emerald pools, and a secret underwater cave.
Traditional bamboo rafting through Portland’s tropical rainforest.
A local eatery serving burgers and Jamaican dishes.
A beach where a cold freshwater stream meets the Caribbean Sea.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Long Bay (Portland)?
The best overall months at Long Bay (Portland) are December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January, February, March, December.
Which wind directions work at Long Bay (Portland)?
Long Bay (Portland) works with NE, ENE, E winds. Offshore directions are SW. No-go directions are SW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Long Bay (Portland)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Long Bay (Portland): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 4.1 kts.
What skill level is Long Bay (Portland) suitable for?
Long Bay (Portland) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.