Rio Mar & the coast · Panama
Surfing Rio Mar
A point break in Rio Mar & the coast, Panama, for intermediate surfers.
- TypePoint Break
- LevelIntermediate
- Size2-6 ft
- Best monthsApr-Oct
- Crowd3/5
The wave
Rio Mar is a beach on the West Panamá coast, about an hour and a half from Panama City. A fun right breaks along a long rock ledge at low tide, a good walk from the beach access. At higher tides, try the beach breaks next to it.
It has hosted contests, though the waves tend to close out on bigger days. Rio Mar Surf Camp is on the beach, and it's a common base for surfing the rest of this coast.
8.32, -80.13 · S-SW swell, low tide · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Rio Mar
Rio Mar is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: S-SW swell, low tide. 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 Rio Mar
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii) | Rio Mar & the coast | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 2 km |
| Punta Palmar | Rio Mar & the coast | Point Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 2 km |
| Costa Esmeralda | Rio Mar & the coast | Reef Break | Intermediate | 13 km |
| Punta Teta | Rio Mar & the coast | Point Break | Intermediate | 14 km |
| Rinconsito (Little Rincon) | Rio Mar & the coast | Point Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 17 km |
| San Carlos Point (Jeffreys) | Rio Mar & the coast | Point Break | Intermediate | 17 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 →
Rio Mar: common questions
When is the best time to surf Rio Mar?
Rio Mar works best from April to October. Ideal conditions: S-SW swell, low tide.
Is Rio Mar good for beginners?
No. Rio Mar is a wave for intermediate surfers. The closest beginner-friendly spot we cover is Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii) in Rio Mar & the coast, about 2 km away.
How crowded is Rio Mar?
Rio Mar is usually moderate: 3 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Rio Mar?
Rio Mar is in Rio Mar & the coast, in the West Panamá Province region of Panama (8.32, -80.13). The nearest wave we cover is Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii), about 2 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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