Bahamas Surfing Conditions and Forecast: March 2014

One of Eleuthera's expatriate surfers tears into one this winter. PHOTO CREDIT: Liz Heiberg-Glucksmann.
One of Eleuthera’s expatriate surfers tears into one this winter. PHOTO CREDIT: Liz Heiberg-Glucksmann.

March means wind, waves and spring breakers here in the Bahamas. Nassau ranks a little ways behind Cancun and the Florida panhandle as a destination for those college-age partiers, but come they do, and inevitably spread out to some of our out islands where the beaches are quieter and the surf is better! As I write this report, a steady 12 knot northeasterly is whipping white caps as far as the horizon. But the jet stream’s flow remains far to the north, and there have not been the usual solid winter swells we would expect out of the first part of February. Indeed while most of North America spoke of Snowmageddon and the ‘polar vortex’ in the first two weeks of February, the Bahamas enjoyed mild winter conditions, temperatures hit the low 80s most days, and the wind and waves showed only small indications of seasonal north swells. Can March bring a little winter juice? You know it. While not as consistent generally as early winter, recent years have seen big, late-season swells push well into the Bahama chain. But come prepared for blown-out days, maybe bring a kite or dive gear. Water temps have also stayed slightly warmer than average, but a good top is recommended. March is the last month for crawfish or spiny lobster season and Nassau grouper season re-opens. But you know what the Nassau groupers are saying nowadays, “Hey bro, eat a lionfish!”