The Surf Window

Viard

Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe

Beach breakBeginner

A sheltered beach break near Sainte-Rose on Guadeloupe's leeward coast, Viard has gentle, beginner-friendly waves with warm Caribbean water and magnificent views of the volcanic mountains of Basse-Terre, a peaceful alternative to the busier Atlantic coast breaks.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalE (90°)
WindowNNE–SSE (30°–150°)

Wind

SE

Offshore

Tide

Mid to high

LowMidHigh

Season

December–March

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Both

Bottom

Sand

Shape

Slow, gentle, very forgiving

Length

30–60m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Beginner
  • •Why: The leeward coast is sheltered, waves here are consistently small and manageable for complete beginners

Hazards

  • •Very limited swell on most days
  • •Boat traffic from the Sainte-Rose marina
  • •Mangrove sections along the shoreline

Local Tips

  • •Viard is best used as a learning spot when the Atlantic coast is too big
  • •The Cousteau Underwater Reserve near Pigeon Island, 10km south, is one of the Caribbean's top dive sites

Location

Map showing the location of Viard in Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe

16.0333, -61.7167