Barbade — Silver Sands15h · 10 kt
0NOT RECOMMENDEDPick your slot
Min. level
Advanced
Optimal wind
14-32 kts
Season
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, November, December
Live · now
What to check
Discover the spot
The spot
Discover Silver Sands
On Barbados's southern tip, Silver Sands is a Caribbean classic: the easterly trade running along the beach, a flat zone near shore for learning, and waves on the reef for those who want to play. The cradle of Barbadian kiting, energised since the 80s by local legend Brian Talma.
Silver Sands is the soul of old-school Caribbean kiting. While Barbados's west coast dozes in luxury, the south shakes itself in the trade: a wind-blown beach where windsurfing then kiting took root back in the 80s, driven by a character, Brian Talma, and his rallying cry 'action!'. The water is warm, the wind honest, the reef playful, and the vibe stays that of a community of enthusiasts, rum punch and marathon sessions. You come here for guaranteed wind and Caribbean spirit, not the smooth postcard.
Who & when
Level and best time
Who it's for
Intermediate to advanced, with a learning zone: the middle of the beach offers flatter water to progress, while the reef, three or four hundred metres out, kicks up chop and waves that call for confidence. It's not an inaccessible experts-only reef, but the strong wind and the reef make it a ground for at-ease riders. Historic school on site (De Action, Brian Talma since 1988).
source : kiteguide.com ↗Best time
The season runs December to June/July, driven by easterly trades boosted by the winter 'Christmas winds' (15-25 knots, often more). On this south-facing beach, the easterly arrives side-shore to side-onshore — the prime configuration, it runs along the coast and brings you back. The dangerous wind would be a northerly (off the land, offshore), rare in season. Rainy lull July to October.
source : surf-forecast.com ↗On site
Arrival guide
Access & water
Silver Sands is at Barbados's southern tip, about ten minutes from the airport. The beach faces south; the water is flatter in the middle near shore, then the reef (Silver Rocks) three or four hundred metres out raises waves and chop. The reef surfaces at low tide — the tide affects the water state and the shallows.
source : kiteguide.com ↗Before you go
Safety
Reef, current & tide
The working wind (easterly trade, side-shore) brings you back: no offshore trap as long as you stay on that regime (the only offshore would be a northerly, rare). The number-one danger is the reef and the water: the Silver Rocks reef surfaces at low tide (sharp, especially on foil), an inner current is felt (stronger at high tide) and a downwind drift toward the rocks is possible. Key off the tide, keep booties, and be at ease in chop before pushing out to the bar.
source : kiteguide.com ↗Community
Soon, by the riders
These spaces will fill up with the community’s feedback.
Session reports (Christmas winds, reef state, tide and current)