Panama Surf Spots & Information
The travel books all label Panama as the undiscovered gem of Central America. It remains to be seen how long the title “undiscovered” will apply, so catch the waves before it becomes crowded.
The country with a canal offers great waves, good food, and the availability of modern accommodations. And you don’t have to be a cargo ship to benefit from the slim geography of Panama. If you time your trip right, you can catch overlapping surf seasons in November and drive to the best swell on either side of the country.
But be forewarned: if you don’t like the heat, stay out of Panama.
No matter the season, the lowlands are hot. And if you are working up a sweat on your way to a spot, don’t expect to cool off a whole lot in the ocean. The water is usually in the mid 80's while the air is near 90. Panama can also be pretty wet with high humidity and a long rainy season.
For the majority of the country, a May to November winter is rainy. This is the best surf season for the Pacific side. On the Caribbean side, the surf peaks twice. The main season on the east coast is during the regional wet season in the months between December and March. Surfing on the Caribbean then makes a resurgence when weather fronts clash in June and July. Keep in mind that, while the waves are bigger and more consistent during peak seasons, good waves can be found year-round on the Pacific and during storms on the east coast.
As with all foreign travel, a little caution is necessary. When in Panama, be aware that the Colon area, according to the U.S. State Department, is a “high crime” region. And the Darien Province near the Colombian border is a dangerous place. Outside of these two areas, crime in Panama is no worse than in your average American city. So if you don’t mind some heat and rain and can stay out of two sketchy areas, then Panama is worth a visit before the place hits Costa Rica status.
Be sure to check out Santa Catalina. Pro competitions are common on its massive and perfect barrels.
Find a Panama surf school.
Panama Surf Breaks
Punta Rocas |
| Surf Location |
Pacific |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest, West |
| Best Tide |
Rising |
| Best Wind Direction |
East, Northeast, or None |
| Best Surf Season |
May-November |
| Wave Quality |
Famous and consistent waves usually break left, but can go both ways |
| The Surfers |
Can get crowded on the weekends and during holidays |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderately difficult |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Rocks |
| Watch Out For… |
Alligators near river mouths, fishing lines, rocks |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Playa Santa Catalina |
| Surf Location |
Pacific |
| Best Swell Direction |
South, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Medium to high. Low tide is not safe to surf on. |
| Best Wind Direction |
East, Northeast |
| Best Surf Season |
May-November |
| Wave Quality |
Considered by many to be the best break in Central America. Santa Catalina produces up to 20-foot high perfect tubes. |
| The Surfers |
Very consistent spot, with very consistent crowds. Watch for the locals. |
| Boards |
Big wave shortboard, shortboard, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Difficult |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Rock reef |
| Watch Out For… |
Sharp reef, alligators, stonefish, urchins, sea lice |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Playa Santa Catalina, Panama - Surf Video
Bluff |
| Surf Location |
Carribean: Bocas de Toro on Isla Colon |
| Best Swell Direction |
North, Northwest, West, Northeast |
| Best Tide |
Any |
| Best Wind Direction |
West, Southwest, South, East |
| Best Surf Season |
December-March, June-July |
| Wave Quality |
This is a world-class and consistent wave for expert surfers who can handle a fast, powerful, and hollow wave |
| The Surfers |
Not many people are usually out here |
| Boards |
Big wave board, shortboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate to difficult |
| Skill Level |
Advanced |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Mosquitos, urchins, undertow |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Dumper |
| Surf Location |
Carribean: Bocas de Toro on Isla Colon |
| Best Swell Direction |
Northwest, Northeast |
| Best Tide |
Any |
| Best Wind Direction |
West |
| Best Surf Season |
December-March, June-July |
| Wave Quality |
This is not the most consistent wave in Panama, but when it breaks the right is perfect and the tubes are awesome. |
| The Surfers |
|
| Boards |
Shortboard, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Reef |
| Watch Out For… |
Mosquitos, shallow spots with a sharp reef below, urchins, undertow |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Nestles |
| Surf Location |
Morro Negrita, Pacific: On the Island Silva about 30 minutes from the surf camp in Morro Negrita |
| Best Swell Direction |
West, Southwest, South |
| Best Tide |
Mid and High |
| Best Wind Direction |
Southeast, East, Northeast |
| Best Surf Season |
May to November |
| Wave Quality |
Very consistent right break is powerful and steep. On larger sizes the wave is hollow. |
| The Surfers |
Remote location and boat-only access keeps most people away, empty lineups are common |
| Boards |
Shortboard, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Difficult, especially outside the channel |
| Skill Level |
Advanced |
| Bottom |
Reef |
| Watch Out For… |
Rocks and reef |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
P Land |
| Surf Location |
Morro Negrita, Pacific: On the Island Silva about 30 minutes from the surf camp in Morro Negrita |
| Best Swell Direction |
Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Mid and High |
| Best Wind Direction |
West |
| Best Surf Season |
May to November |
| Wave Quality |
Very consistent left is powerful, hollow, and fast. Usually a few feet overhead. |
| The Surfers |
Limited access keeps the numbers low on the water |
| Boards |
Big wave shortboard |
| Paddle Out |
Impossible, need a boat |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate to Advanced |
| Bottom |
Reef |
| Watch Out For… |
Rocks and reef, shallow spots at low tide, and broken boards |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
The Point |
| Surf Location |
Morro Negrita: accessible only by boat |
| Best Swell Direction |
Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Low and Mid |
| Best Wind Direction |
Northeast |
| Best Surf Season |
May to November |
| Wave Quality |
This point-break wave is a fast and hollow left |
| The Surfers |
Empty lineups |
| Boards |
Shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Boat access only |
| Skill Level |
Advanced |
| Bottom |
Reef |
| Watch Out For… |
Rocks |
Cambutal |
| Surf Location |
Pacific: In the middle of absolutely nowhere on the middle of the Pacific coast where the land juts out |
| Best Swell Direction |
North, Northwest |
| Best Tide |
All |
| Best Wind Direction |
Northwest |
| Best Surf Season |
May to November |
| Wave Quality |
Cambutal is consistent but the lack of anything nearby keeps the crowds from coming. If you are up for a journey, some powerful and hollow lefts and rights on empty waves await. |
| The Surfers |
None |
| Boards |
Shortboard, funboard, longboard, fish, big wave gun |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate to difficult depending on the swell |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate |
| Bottom |
Rocks |
| Watch Out For… |
Rocks, sharks |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
