Josiahs Bay

Josiah’s Bay is one of the best-known surf spots in the British Virgin Islands, located on the east end of Tortola. It’s a scenic, exposed beach break with consistent Atlantic swell, making it the main surfing destination in the BVI.

Surf character

• Wave type: Beach break
• Best swell: East to northeast swell
• Best wind: Light offshore or calm conditions; trade winds can make it choppy
• Wave quality: Can range from fun and mellow to punchy and hollow when the swell is up
• Skill level: Works for beginners on smaller days, but bigger swells can challenge intermediate and advanced surfers

Conditions

• The beach has a sandy bottom, which makes it generally more forgiving than reef breaks.
• Waves tend to be more consistent than many other islands in the area because it’s directly exposed to open Atlantic swell.
• It can get crowded during good swell events since it’s the island’s most popular surf spot.

Atmosphere

• Josiah’s Bay has a laid-back, local surf vibe with a beautiful tropical setting.
• The beach is also popular for swimming and relaxing, with surrounding hills and a wide, open shoreline.

Best time to surf

• The most reliable surf is usually during the winter months when North Atlantic and northeast swells are more frequent.
• Hurricane season can also bring occasional larger swells, though conditions may be less predictable.