Alibaba

Tucked deeper into the bay, Alibaba offers a more protected take on the local lineup, making it a solid fallback when cross-shore northeast winds fray the surface at neighboring breaks. The wave itself is a walled-up right-hander that races down a rocky point, hugging the cliffs with a punchy, critical face. It breaks over uneven reef and handles swell up to about 4 feet, with best results coming from the northwest—though north swells can produce rideable waves as well. This is strictly expert territory. The takeoff demands precision and commitment, and the shallow, jagged bottom leaves no room for error. Tides matter here: aim for low to mid or high tide to get the most out of the wave shape and avoid scraping the reef. For wind, you want it blowing from the southeast to groom the face clean. Getting in is its own challenge. The entry involves navigating sharp rocks that can ding your board and your feet, so go slow and wear booties if you have them. Once you’re out, the payoff is a rippable, fast right that rewards experience and local knowledge. Alibaba isn’t for the faint of heart, but for those who earn it, it delivers.

Best Surf Season (October - March)

The North Atlantic storm track swings into full gear between October and March, and Alibaba's wave climate responds with the biggest, longest-period swell of the year. Average wave heights climb to 6-7.5ft (1.8-2.3m) with periods of 10.6-11.7s, meaning the outer reefs and points receive powerful groundswell. The catch is that the dominant swell direction in the data is N to NNE, not the ideal SSW-SW/W window for a southwest-facing beach. The northeast trade winds also blow hard for much of this period, and ideal offshore wind conditions occur only 8-26% of the time. Even so, when the trades ease and the long-period north swell wraps around the island, Alibaba can produce hollow, punchy waves that are well overhead.