Lighthouse is Kingston's homebreak, a shallow reef over lava that throws a short, hollow, sucking right alongside a long and fickle left. When the right is on, it's one of the best barrels on the island, and with swell coming in at just the right angle the left does a decent Zoo impersonation. It sits in nice Caribbean water a little way out of town, near the Jamnesia surf camp, and it rewards surfers who already know what they're doing.
When It Works
The reef takes swell from east-southeast through south and is usable from 1.2 m / 4 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft, roughly chest high up to a few feet overhead. Spring, autumn and winter are the seasons to watch. Paddling out is straightforward most of the time, though hurricane swells make it a lot more work.
Wind and Tide
Look for west-northwest offshore wind, with a workable window running from west to northwest. It can break through low, mid and high tide, so size matters more than the stage of the tide, but a rising tide is generally the better call.
Local Tips
Bring a shortboard. This is a spot for intermediate and expert surfers, and the shallow lava reef is the thing to keep an eye on. The lineup stays quiet and the vibe is mellow, though it can feel a little reserved.
Access
You can park right there.
