Ginsu is the main spot on Haiti's north coast, a fast, very ripable right over live coral. Haiti's original surfers, brothers Russell and Vadim Berhmann, named it after a famous brand of American cutlery, and Russell's line about it says plenty: "If the lip doesn't catch you, the razor reef will." He also reckons few spots in the country have the energy and consistency of Ginsu.
At low tide, once you're past the dry reef section, the takeoff can throw out short, intense tubes before the wave starts to curve and bowl. At size it can be spectacular. The looming Bonnet mountains behind the break mean the light goes early, so plan your sessions accordingly.
When It Works
The reef takes swell from north to east, with northeast swell the best match. It's usable from 0.3 m / 1 ft to 1.5 m / 5 ft, and it's moderately consistent through the year. The reliable window is the northeast trades between November and March, when it will break almost daily.
Wind and Tide
Look for south offshore wind. Mid and high tide both work, with a rising tide generally the better call. Mornings and evenings are worth targeting for glassy conditions.
Local Tips
This one is for experts. The reef is shallow and covered in urchins, so the safer paddle out at low tide is from the next cove west of the break; at high tide you can go straight out in front of Ginsu. Keep an eye out for the so-called "chopping board rock" on the inside. Expect a fairly quiet lineup. Depending on swell direction, size and period, there are other potential lefts and rights nearby.
Access
Park on the dirt roadside next to the break, or walk over from Cormier Plage. Cormier Plage is a small fishing village with a good beach hotel and a few bars, and it makes the best base for surfing Ginsu. Nearby, Labadee Beach is the main tourist draw, operated by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, whose ships anchor in the deepwater bay. The small fishing village of Habitation Labadie mixes traditional Haitian dwellings with hill-perched villas. Cap Haitien and the Citadel are good day trips if you want a cultural break from the water.
