Overview
Le Borgne is a right reefbreak and rivermouth close to Pointe Boeuf, and on its day it peels down the line for a long way. The main draw is a tapering right, though short playful lefts turn up too, all of it in oily, diesel blue water. The setup also offers some protection from east wind. There is a shallow left on the east side of town that only comes into play on a big northeast swell, and it is suicidal in most other conditions.
The town itself is worth the trip. Old colonial architecture, rickety doorways and peeling paint give it a feel reminiscent of Cap Haitien, and the locals speak Creole with a Cuban twist.
When It Works
The reef is uneven and takes swell from north through east, with northeast (NE) swell the best match. It works from 0.3 m / 1 ft to 1.5 m / 5 ft, so there is a decent window between too small and too much water moving. Consistency is moderate, so it will not be on every day, but the good windows are worth waiting for.
Wind and Tide
Look for southwest (SW) offshore wind. The reef can work through most of the tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This one suits intermediate surfers. The lineup stays quiet, so you will usually have room to find your own rhythm on the long rights.
Access
Paddle across the rivermouth from town, or take the short ferryboat. There are a couple of hotels in town, including La Perle.
Le Borgne was once reachable only by boat, but an excellent new road now runs in from the east. To head further west and explore more spots before northeast swells get sheltered by Turtle Island (Ile de La Tortuga), the fabled pirate hide-out, you have two choices: the 4WD mountain pass, or the paved inland route from Cap Haitien to Plaisance to Port de Paix. Skip the mountain pass in the rain, as the passage turns narrow, steep and muddy. With a good 4WD and a confident off-road driver, it is a cliffhanger of a drive.
