About

I prefer Bertha's to Surf Bay. Both are very similar in wave height, and both suffer from very short, fast waves - so unless you stand up and get sideways straight away, you'll be off in no time. I was there for six months, and consistently over the period, the waves tended to break on the beach, which is quite steep - hence the short ride. Summer temperature is similar to UK late spring, and winter (Jun/Jul) is bloody baltic - I wore 3mm gloves, and had to get out after 15 mins before my hands fell off! Another bad factor of Surf Bay is that it reeks of rotting kelp, which can is pretty rancid and smells quite like like sewage, but its not. Final point is that there are no surf shops on the Island (or brewery - two business ideas there!), so you'll need to take all your own equipment. Flights to FI go from Brize Norton twice a week, and the RAF bods there have no problems with taking a board (though it does come out of your 54kg baggage allowance).

Atmosphere:
I have spent the past 2 weeks based in Stanley and drove to the beach at least twice a day to surf, every day saw a decent swell pulsing through, the wind was the only factor. This in a place that has no locals so who know what lies around that next headland...

Additional Info:
Beware of the minefields as you enter!

I notice that the flag on the description is from Argentina but the islands are actually a British colony.

Bertha is a beautiful beach, though does get very windy - as do the Islands as a whole, which takes the tops off the waves. It's a long beach, and the wildlife is superb - penguins, sea lions, and dolphins. The dolphins love surfers, and mirror your movements in the water. I had five of them circling me, and then catching the same wave either side of my board!

Location

Access

Surf bay is situated on the airport road when driving out of Port Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands. Perhaps an unlikely surf destination but rest assured that this place seriously pumps, super consistent fast waves with no crowds at all. Summer (Nov-Mar) is the best bet if your not a cold water hero, the sea life is amazing and you'll find your perfect wave...

As well as the spot recommended by Rupert (Surf Bay) - which I think has received slightly exaggerated praise, another exists at Bertha's Beach - just down the road from Mount Pleasant Airfield at Mare Harbour. Access, if you're in the military, is via a gate at Mare Harbour (combination obtainable from the Guard Rm), and then a 5 min off-road drive to the beach. Civvies will have to walk from the gate, which takes about 25 min.

Wave Characteristics

Ideal Conditions

Crowd

Dangers

None

Videos

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