Bahamas Surfing Conditions and Forecast: February 2016

You never know what the surf will bring to the shore, such as this houseboat that washed ashore in central Eleuthera early in January. PHOTO CREDIT: Liz Heiberg-Glucksmann.
You never know what the surf will bring to the shore, such as this houseboat that washed ashore in central Eleuthera early in January. PHOTO CREDIT: Liz Heiberg-Glucksmann.

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ebruary’s one of the few months you may need some insulation when surfing the Bahamas. With the continental cold front contours having shifted further east, our islands are getting clipped by the fronts’ southern tails and enjoying seasonably cool weather. Water temps, which have been above average, are now dropping. Islands further north, like Abaco and its cays may see surf break water temps dipping close to, and even below, 70 degrees as February and the new year rolls on. Brrrr… not really. Bahamians mostly enjoy the rare dips in the thermometer. So that was already way too many words dedicated to water temps that are not going to stop anybody from paddling out if the surf is firing. And will it this month? Almost positively. We settled into a nice pattern last month as numerous and powerful fronts (and even a hurricane!!) set the archipelago bouncing with waves. Expect the same in February. North and northeast swells are the name of the game this month. Get on it when the wind switches offshore as it will most times clock around quickly. Pray for surf, be ocean minded and until next time enjoy our wild Bahamas. Note: Nassau grouper season remains closed until the end of February. Let these monsters of the reef breed and fatten for future fishing forays.