El Salvador Surf Spots & Information
El Salvador is basically a series of world-class rights that break for several hundred yards. And if you're a little bit adventurous, you can enjoy a good number of breaks with only a handful of surfers in the lineup.
El Salvador has great waves and warm water, but it’s not exactly a top choice for family getaways. As in neighboring Guatemala and Honduras, the government and police are ineffective and poorly supported. A civil war raged in the country from the 1980’s until the early 90’s, leaving the country in a state of poverty. Crime remains a problem as the country strives to develop. So when in El Salvador, be careful. But don’t let a few risks scare you away from this great surf destination. Like anywhere else, a bit of street smarts goes a long way here and the majority of travelers have problem-free trips.
The best time to go is during the wet season between March and October. During the wet season, rainy days are actually partly sunny before or after a downpour. During the dry season, November through March, you can also surf smaller waves in the 3- to 6-foot range. Year-round the water temperature is between 80 and 85 degrees; air is in the 80’s and low 90’s.
There are two separate surf areas on El Salvador’s Pacific coast. The La Libertad is the most popular area and features numerous quality breaks. Punta Roca and Suznal in La Libertad are two of the best breaks in the country. But Punta Roca has a somewhat of a bad reputation, so talk to other travelers to stay out of trouble.
The second area, the “Wild East,” also has some world-class breaks. The area is growing in popularity. And as the quality of accommodations improves, the crowds grow. However, if you make the appropriate preparations, you can find yourself with just a few people on world-class breaks.
Find a surf school in El Salvador.
El Salvador Surf Breaks
Sunzal (some spell it Zunzal) |
| Surf Location |
Half hour from La Libertad |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Low to Mid |
| Best Wind Direction |
East, Northeast |
| Best Surf Season |
March-October |
| Wave Quality |
Ranging in size from chest high to a few feet overhead, this right break is very consistent |
| The Surfers |
Some locals and tourists are usually in water on the weekends, but not super crowded |
| Boards |
Big wave gun, shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Difficult |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Rock |
| Watch Out For… |
Sharks, rocks |
| Water Condition |
Mostly clean, but slightly dirty from river mouth |
Punta Roca & La Paz |
| Surf Location |
La Libertad |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Any, shallow at low tide though |
| Best Wind Direction |
East, Northeast |
| Best Surf Season |
March-October |
| Wave Quality |
This is the best wave in El Salvador. It is a word-class right that is hollow and runs for up to a quarter mile. The inside section, called La Paz, is separated from the big wave break and is ideal for beginners. |
| The Surfers |
There are usually quite a few people surfing here |
| Boards |
Big wave gun, shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Difficult |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Rock |
| Watch Out For… |
Rocks, a large bolder in the takeoff, undertow and rip current, urchins, thieves |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Playa Conchalio |
| Surf Location |
Just north of La Libertad near El Zonte |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Any |
| Best Wind Direction |
East, Northeast |
| Best Surf Season |
March-October |
| Wave Quality |
During the peak season the waves are fast and hollow. In the down season, this is the place to check because it holds rideable waves even when other breaks are flat. |
| The Surfers |
There are people, but it’s not very crowded |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, fun shape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Easy |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Thieves on the route to the beach |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
La Bocana |
| Surf Location |
Half hour outside of La Libertad |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Low to Mid |
| Best Wind Direction |
East, Northeast |
| Best Surf Season |
March-October |
| Wave Quality |
This is the left break of El Salvador. It’s long and powerful rivermouth break. It is occasionally hollow on a falling mid tide. |
| The Surfers |
There are people, but it’s not too crowded |
| Boards |
Big wave gun, shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderately difficult |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For… |
A little bit of localism |
| Water Condition |
Rivermouth dirty, besides that clean |
K59 & K61 |
| Surf Location |
West of Sunzal. Past a gated community on a private beach accessible if you ask around or find a guide. K61 is a bit north of K59 and is best traveled by paddling to avoid urchins in the rocks. |
| Best Swell Direction |
South |
| Best Tide |
Incoming mid |
| Best Wind Direction |
Offshore north |
| Best Surf Season |
March-October |
| Wave Quality |
This is a very consistent and world-class right point break. It is best in the morning and thousand-foot rides are possible. |
| The Surfers |
Just a few locals on the weekends |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate, can be tough |
| Skill Level |
Experienced |
| Bottom |
Rock |
| Watch Out For… |
Sea urchins |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Zonte |
| Surf Location |
West: North of La Libertad |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Mid and High |
| Best Wind Direction |
North |
| Best Surf Season |
March-October |
| Wave Quality |
Consistent and fast right point break. Sometimes there are two lefts. |
| The Surfers |
There are usually people but it’s not super crowded |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Sand and rock |
| Watch Out For… |
Rocks and riptides |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Las Flores |
| Surf Location |
The Wild East |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Low |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
March-October |
| Wave Quality |
Flores is a quality right point break featuring a hollow outside section and long rides |
| The Surfers |
More and more people every day, but less crowded than La Libertad area |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Sand, rock, banditos |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Punta Mango |
| Surf Location |
East, accessible by boat from Las Flores |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Any |
| Best Wind Direction |
North, Northeast, Northwest |
| Best Surf Season |
March-October |
| Wave Quality |
Powerful, fast, and hollow, Punta Mango can be exciting and large. |
| The Surfers |
Growing in popularity, usually 15-20 surfers at peak |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funshape, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Sand and rock |
| Watch Out For… |
Rocks and riptides |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
