North Point 1 (Greenidge Coast)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
North Point 1 (Greenidge Coast) is an exposed, Atlantic-facing right-hand reef/reef-and-beach surfing area on Barbados’ rugged northern coastline. The break is small-to-compact at the launch/landing, but it is described as capable of producing powerful to very powerful surf when the right swell arrives—especially between late October and March. Water quality is reported as clean, though conditions are frequently turbulent due to the ocean energy hitting the cliffs. Wind in this spot is trade-wind driven, with south (and occasionally south/southwest) winds being the most favorable for cleaner surf. The grounded surf-forecast data reports a 71% monthly blown probability, and notes that the best month is September. Providers also consistently frame the best window as winter into early spring (commonly December through March), aligning with North Atlantic swell season. Safety is the central constraint. Multiple sources emphasize sharp volcanic rock/jagged reef and a very tricky rock-ledge entry and exit that requires precise timing—essentially involving jumping off a ledge into the water. Heavy shore break and rip currents are repeatedly mentioned, and sea urchins are specifically called out. Rescue is described as no on-site rescue and no lifeguards, with the nearest medical facilities reported around a short drive away; due to isolation and extreme difficulty, sources strongly advise not surfing alone. Overall, North Point 1 is best characterized as a remote, high-performance reef break for intermediate-to-expert surfers seeking big, fast walls and potentially hollow/barreling sections under favorable offshore south wind conditions, while accepting that the rocky access and ocean hazards make it unsuitable for casual or first-time attempts.
- Exposed right-hand reef break with strong winter swell potential
- Offshore south winds can produce cleaner conditions
- Typically uncrowded due to access and extreme difficulty
- Powerful right-hand reef break with strong North Atlantic swell potential.
- Often uncrowded year-round due to difficulty of access and skill requirement.
- Offshore south winds can clean up conditions.
- Extremely hazardous rocky entry/exit with heavy, exposed conditions.
- Rip currents are possible/commonly reported; isolation limits rescue options.
- Access can be difficult (cliff stairs; rugged dirt tracks).
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S
- Offshore directions
- S
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind driven conditions from the south/southern quadrant.
- Reliability
- 71% monthly blown
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Generally steady monthly conditions (ground-truth monthly blown probability provided).
- Best Months
- September, October, November, December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs provide some protection from easterly winds, but the spot is still exposed.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Some sources describe sand composition; others emphasize the rocky nature/no traditional beach at landing.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Reported as medium in general descriptions, with multiple sources noting it can scale up to huge/big-wave conditions on larger swells.
- Launch
- Medium — Cliff access with stairs down; described alternatively as a rocky shoreline requiring a timed jump from rocks.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate access via cliff stairs, but surfing itself is expert-level due to the jump/rock-entry requirements and extreme exposure.
Through the year
Very low year-round; rarely crowded.
June to October (storm season); hurricane risk also described as June–November with peak Aug–Oct reported.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed right-hand reef (and beach+reef) break on Barbados’ rugged northern coast. Capable of handling large North Atlantic swells with fast walls that can barrel in favorable conditions.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NE, NNE, NW
- Swell Height
- 2–5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide preferred.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Fully exposed to Atlantic swells on the north coast.
- Wind Effect
- Best with offshore south winds; south/southwest trades can provide cleaner conditions, while typical trade winds can cross-on and make conditions messy.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold very large sizes; becomes a true big-wave spot on larger north-northeast swells. Handles large N-NE swells well; summer can be flatter.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good to excellent when the swell and offshore wind align.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Very powerful in strong conditions; can behave like a big-wave spot on larger swells.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Sources range from peeling to hollow in the best big-wave setup.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling to hollow walls depending on swell/wind mix.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Often described as medium length; one source quantifies 100–200 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- One source quantifies typical ride length around 100–200 meters; another describes ride length qualitatively as medium.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for North Point 1 (Greenidge Coast) in the full forecast view.
North Point 1 (Greenidge Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 9–15 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- E92°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2515 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–1.8 m8s period
- Temperature
- 27–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, North Point 1 (Greenidge Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 9–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 1.0–1.8 m with a period of about 8s. 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 jagged reef
- Powerful rip currents
- Heavy shore break
- Large swell exposure
- Sea urchins
- Isolated location with difficult rescue access
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated on-site rescue; reported as no. Regional notes indicate offshore assistance can be requested via the coast guard.
- Emergency Info
- No specific on-site coastguard/hospital details for the spot were provided; emergency number cited for Barbados is 911. Nearest medical facilities are reported in Speightstown (~20–30 minute drive).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Access and difficulty likely mean a more experienced, local-attuned crowd.
Rules of the spot
Do not surf alone; entry/exit timing is critical due to sharp rocks and heavy, exposed conditions.
- Never surf here alone.
- Avoid attempting the rock-ledge entry/exit without proven local timing.
- Pay attention to rocks.
- Watch out for rocks.
- Wait for rare south winds for the cleanest conditions.
- Entry and exit are the most dangerous parts due to the rocky ledge; jump entry requires precise timing and set awareness.
- Watch local experts first to understand the timing for the rock-jump entry.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Greenidge
- Nearest Town
- St. Lucy
- Parking
- No designated parking specified; unmarked dirt areas on the cliff top near the lighthouse are reported.
- Access
- Cliff access via stairs down from the old North Point Surf Resort on the 50-foot cliffs; resort is abandoned and crumbling. Route also described as requiring rugged dirt tracks in St. Lucy parish; 4x4 often recommended to reach coastal cliffs.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Limited local guesthouses in St. Lucy; many surfers stay on the West/South coast and drive up.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on-site; nearest shops in local villages are several kilometers away.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available at the spot; shops are reported in Bridgetown or the south coast.
- Gear Storage
- Dedicated gear storage not available in this region; riders typically store equipment in accommodation or vehicles.
- Gear Repair
- No on-site repair reported for the spot.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A natural sea cave under the cliffs at North Point with natural rock pools and Atlantic views.
A historic (inactive) lighthouse with panoramic views of the rugged northern coastline.
Unmarked trails along the limestone cliffs of Saint Lucy featuring dramatic coastal scenery.
Local Bajan cuisine served on the cliff edge with views of the waves.
A historic town nearby with calm beaches, museums, and colonial architecture.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at North Point 1 (Greenidge Coast)?
The best overall months at North Point 1 (Greenidge Coast) are October, November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are September, October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at North Point 1 (Greenidge Coast)?
North Point 1 (Greenidge Coast) works with S winds. Offshore directions are S.
What skill level is North Point 1 (Greenidge Coast) suitable for?
North Point 1 (Greenidge Coast) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.