Rio Mar & the coast · Panama
Surfing Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii)
A beach break in Rio Mar & the coast, Panama, for beginner and intermediate surfers.
- TypeBeach Break
- LevelBeginner / Intermediate
- Size2-5 ft
- Best monthsApr-Oct
- Crowd2/5
The wave
The misleadingly named peaks of Hawaiisito, Little Hawaii, favour lefts, are readily accessible, but will not handle swell above head-high. Don't let the name fool you into expecting Pipeline: this is a friendly, user-friendly beach-and-reef set-up ideal for smaller days and improving surfers, with mellow left walls that peter out when the ocean gets any size.
Its easy access along the Rio Mar coast makes it a convenient check and a good option when the bigger points are maxed or closing out. There's also a popular beachbreak between the points that serves as a contest site.
Try it on a small to head-high south-west swell and enjoy the accessible lefts; step elsewhere when it's bigger. Hawaiisito is the mellow, everyday wave of this coast, nothing like its Hawaiian namesake, but a fun, forgiving spot for beginners and intermediates within easy reach of Panama City and the Rio Mar camp.
8.33, -80.14 · Swell S-SW · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii)
Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii) is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: Swell S-SW. This is how the year looks across West Panamá Province:
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| April to June | Good | S-SW swell building; the narrow window means it's smaller than Santa Catalina |
| July to September | Prime | Peak S-SW season, best NZ lows send the optimum ~210° swell; onshore afternoons |
| October to November | Good | Onshore south winds increasingly dominate late in the season |
| December to March | Quiet | Dry season, offshore northerlies, but swells are unreliable and often flat |
Waves near Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii)
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punta Palmar | Rio Mar & the coast | Point Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 1 km |
| Rio Mar | Rio Mar & the coast | Point Break | Intermediate | 2 km |
| Costa Esmeralda | Rio Mar & the coast | Reef Break | Intermediate | 13 km |
| Punta Teta | Rio Mar & the coast | Point Break | Intermediate | 14 km |
| San Carlos Point (Jeffreys) | Rio Mar & the coast | Point Break | Intermediate | 16 km |
| Rinconsito (Little Rincon) | Rio Mar & the coast | Point Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 18 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Rio Mar & the coast
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Rio Mar & the coast surf guide →
A week here costs from about $844 with flights from Europe, or around $1,762 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $1,000 →
Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii): common questions
When is the best time to surf Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii)?
Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii) works best from April to October. Ideal conditions: Swell S-SW.
Is Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii) good for beginners?
Yes. Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii) suits beginner and intermediate surfers.
How crowded is Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii)?
Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii) is usually quiet: 2 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii)?
Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii) is in Rio Mar & the coast, in the West Panamá Province region of Panama (8.33, -80.14). The nearest wave we cover is Punta Palmar, about 1 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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