Isla ColónBeginner to Advanced
4 waves · Best December to March · Bluff, Dumpers, Paunch, Careñeros
Bluff, Paunch and the town-side reefs and points
Surf guide to Isla Colón
Surf guide
Surfing in Panama
Two oceans and uncrowded points
An uncrowded version of its neighbour Costa Rica, with the added bonus of offshore islands to explore. Panama's torturously twisted 2,500km coastline hides world-class pointbreaks on the Pacific and quality coral reefs on the Caribbean, from the barrels of Bocas del Toro to the reeling right of Santa Catalina. Slightly less exposed to North Pacific swell but blessed with a good window for W and S swells, calm winds and a wealth of virgin coast.
Areas6
Best seasonApril to October
Flights from Europefrom $550
Daily budgetfrom $25
Where to surf in Panama
Bocas del Toro · best December to March
Bastimentos & the outer islesBeginner to Pro
2 waves · Best December to March · Silverbacks, First Beach (Wizard Beach)
Silverbacks' big-wave right and wild Wizard Beach
Surf guide to Bastimentos & the outer islesSouthwest Panama · best April to October
Morro NegritoBeginner to Advanced
5 waves · Best April to October · P-Land, Nestles, Emily's, The Point…
Boat-access island reefs, P-Land, Nestles and the surf camp
Surf guide to Morro NegritoSanta CatalinaIntermediate to Advanced
2 waves · Best April to October · Santa Catalina, Punta Brava
The world-class right point and the heavy Punta Brava left
Surf guide to Santa CatalinaWest Panamá Province · best April to October
Rio Mar & the coastBeginner to Advanced
10 waves · Best April to October · Rio Mar, Punta Palmar, Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii), San Carlos Point (Jeffreys)…
The string of points and beachbreaks from San Carlos to Coronado
Surf guide to Rio Mar & the coastPanama City breaksBeginner to Advanced
5 waves · Best April to October · Las Bóvedas (Casco Viejo), Panamá La Vieja, La Zurda, Nuevo Loco…
City waves below Casco Viejo
Surf guide to Panama City breaks
The best-known waves in Panama
Santa Catalina
Right Point · Santa Catalina · Intermediate / AdvancedSilverbacks
Right Reef · Bastimentos & the outer isles · Advanced / ProPaunch
Left & Right Reef · Isla Colón · Intermediate / AdvancedBluff
Beach Break · Isla Colón · Intermediate / AdvancedP-Land
Left & Right Reef · Morro Negrito · AdvancedPlaya Malibú
Beach Break · Rio Mar & the coast · IntermediateRio Mar
Right Point · Rio Mar & the coast · IntermediateBest time to surf Panama
The main season in Panama is April to October, and at least one region is at its best in December to September.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PrimeGoodQuiet
Bocas del Toro: best in December to March, main season, NE-E storms off Colombia fire the reefs and Silverbacks.
Southwest Panama: best in April to June, s-SW swell arriving, offshore mornings, Santa Catalina firing almost daily.
West Panamá Province: best in July to September, peak S-SW season, best NZ lows send the optimum ~210° swell; onshore afternoons.