Wilderness Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
N, NNE, NE
Wind
ENE or E; starts to get more sideshore with NE trade winds
Surf Height
Double-triple overhead
Tide
Not the biggest tidal changes but lower generally better.
Wilderness Surf Guide
Wildo (as it's commonly known) is a fairly wild place, both on land and in the water; many surfers have had that lost-in-the-woods feeling while attempting to hunt down a shifty, double-overhead Wilderness wall without getting caught inside. When it's small, it's a bunch of scattered little peaks, with short, bowly lefts and slightly longer, more facey rights; when it's really on, though, it's a steamrolling right reef, perfect for carving with a bigger board -- which you'll need just to get into the beasts with the 20-knot NE trades blowing side-offshore up the face as you're blindly trying to drop in. The reef is also fairly broad and sweeping, and can (almost) hold the dozens of surfers that are out here on any day there's swell. There's a semi-channel at the south end of the reef; try not to get swept too far down on your way out.
Ability Level
All Abilities
Fun wave to learn on if it is small but it will swat you when it gets big.
Local Vibe
Welcoming
Not too bad as it's spread out.
Crowd Factor
Moderate
Crowded until it gets big.
Spot Rating
Fun
Varies from playful when small to grinding and mean when big.
Shoulder Burn
Exhausting
If it is big you better be ready to paddle.
Water Quality
Clean
Pretty good.
Hazards
Sweeping currents; find the keyhole getting back in or opt for down the beach near the wall where there is a small sandy patch free of urchins.
Bring Your
Shortboard, Funboard, Longboard, Fish, Bodyboard, Gun, Tow
Access
Turn at the edge of the airport runway, go through the golf course and down the hill. Left at the ruins, dodge the puddles and mud until the path ends and you're there.
Bottom
Reef
Best Season
Late summer and fall for tropical cyclone swells but late fall through early spring for consistency.
Do you have local knowledge about Wilderness?
If you have any insights or information to add to this spot guide, drop us a note at [email protected]