Surfing Isla Colón

Beach Break · Best Dec-Mar · 3-8 ft · Crowd 2/5

Strong NE swell

Playa Bluff is the long beach at the north end of Isla Colón in Bocas del Toro, Panama, about 20 minutes by taxi from Bocas town. It's the first spot to pick up a north-east swell, with hollow, powerful waves that break close to the sand.

Many close out, but the right ones give short, fast barrels, and it's popular with bodyboarders. It suits confident surfers. Turtles nest on the beach between about March and September.

The season runs from December to March, when the north-east swells arrive, and there's a smaller mini-season around June and July. The shorebreak and rips are strong, so it isn't a beach for beginners. Paunch and Carenero, closer to town, are easier options.

Left Reef · Best Dec-Mar · 3-8 ft · Crowd 2/5

Swell NE, reef boots

Dumpers is a short, very hollow left on Isla Colón, named after the rubbish dump across the road. It ends on a ledge of reef that is dry at low tide, so it's only for experienced surfers.

It needs a solid north-east swell. On big days an inside wave also breaks, with longer and easier rides. The reef here and at Paunch next door is sharp, so wear reef boots.

Paunch, just along the road, is the more forgiving option.

Left & Right Reef · Best Dec-Mar · 2-8 ft · Crowd 3/5

Swell NE, reef boots, all tides

Paunch is a reef on Isla Colón, a 10 to 15 minute drive from Bocas town, and one of the best all-round waves in the archipelago. The left starts with a hollow section at the takeoff and then wraps into an open wall. It's fun when small and gets much heavier on a bigger swell. A few rights come off the same peak, which helps share it out.

It works on a north-east swell at most tides. The reef is sharp and shallow, so reef boots are a must.

Left Point · Best Dec-Mar · 2-6 ft · Crowd 2/5

Swell NE-E, all tides

Careñeros is a left point at the northern tip of Isla Careñero, a few minutes by boat from Bocas town. It peels down the east side of the island for up to 200 metres. Usually it's a soft wave, but on a bigger north-east swell it has some long hollow sections.

Most people take a water taxi. You can also paddle across from Bocas and walk around the island, which saves money and keeps the crowd down. Improvers and longboarders like it on smaller days.