Phil and Did (Jieh)
- Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Phil and Did (Jieh) is an exposed reef break on the Jieh coast, where surfing is driven by west-swelling conditions and improved by east winds that act offshore to groom the faces. Spot-level guidance describes it as producing right-hand reef waves, with winter framed as the most reliable season for quality and consistency. The reef bottom is a major part of the experience—and the challenge. Hazards include rocks and sea urchins, and the entry is described as rocky, requiring careful navigation. During larger swells, rip currents can develop near the reef edge, so conditions can change quickly as wave energy increases. For wave expectations, winter swell windows are described as roughly 1.0–2.5 meters with moderate wave power and a peeling shape. The spot is reported to work across all tides and can provide a medium-length ride on the better sets (with guidance noting that the wave can offer a decent wall for maneuvers, especially on larger winter swells). Local safety notes emphasize practical precautions: booties are strongly recommended for the entry, and the spot is suggested to perform best after a winter storm when the swell cleans up with the offshore wind. Crowding is described as unlikely to be high even when surf is up, but surfers should still plan for variable reef and current hazards.
- Offshore east winds help groom the wave faces
- Consistent right-hand reef waves in winter
- Not typically crowded even when surf is up
- Right-hand reef waves are described as consistent and powerful during the winter season
- East winds are offshore and can groom the wave faces well
- Not expected to be overly crowded even when surf is up
- Rocky, shallow reef entries with frequent sea urchins and sharp rocks
- Rip currents can form near the reef edge during larger swells
- Rescue is not centralized for wind-sports coastal activities
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind is described as east with a frontal influence in the spot-level guidance.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef / rocky shoreline.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry near the shoreline; requires careful navigation through urchins.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Entry is rocky and requires navigating through urchins.
Through the year
Quiet on weekdays, but can get busy with local surfers on weekends during good swells.
Rainy season occurs from November to March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed reef break in Jieh producing right-hand peeling waves when swells arrive from the west and winds blow from the east. Conditions are described as consistent and powerful in the Lebanese winter.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- East winds are offshore and groom the wave faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well but becomes more challenging with stronger currents.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- The wave offers a decent wall for maneuvers, especially on larger winter swells.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Phil and Did (Jieh) in the full forecast view.
Phil and Did (Jieh) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–15 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- W273°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2915 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.7 m5s period
- Temperature
- 20–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Phil and Did (Jieh) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.3–1.7 m with a period of about 5s. 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
- sea urchins
- rip currents near the reef edge during larger swells
- sharp rocks near the shoreline
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Group context indicates rescue relies on local services; no centralized wind-sports coastal rescue service.
- Emergency Info
- No centralized rescue for wind-sports coastal activities; emergency medical response is provided by the Lebanese Civil Defense and the Red Cross. Nearest major medical facility is Sibline Governmental Hospital (emergency numbers: 140 for Red Cross and 125 for Civil Defense).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
General surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup.
- Booties are highly recommended due to sea urchins and sharp rocks at the entry.
- The spot works best after a winter storm when the swell cleans up with offshore winds.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Beirut
- Nearest Town
- Jieh
- Nearest Airport
- Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY)
- Parking
- Parking is usually available along the access roads or within nearby beach clubs for a fee.
- Public Transport
- Limited public transport (private buses/minivans/servis) along the coastal highway; taxis and ride-sharing apps are primary for reaching the coast from Beirut.
- Local Language
- Arabic
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous beach resorts, boutique hotels, and guesthouses on the coastal strip or in the hills overlooking the Mediterranean; visitors also find budget to moderate options in Jieh and nearby Beirut.
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes and restaurants are available in the town of Jieh and at nearby beach clubs.
- Equipment Rental:
- Some surf shops in Beirut may offer rentals, but on-site rental is limited.
- Gear Storage
- Several private beach clubs offer seasonal locker rentals and gear storage for members and visitors.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs are often handled by local schools; major kite/sail repairs may require transport to Beirut-based specialists.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Phil and Did (Jieh)?
The best overall months at Phil and Did (Jieh) are January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Phil and Did (Jieh)?
Phil and Did (Jieh) works with E winds. Offshore directions are E.
What skill level is Phil and Did (Jieh) suitable for?
Phil and Did (Jieh) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.