Rio Mar & the coast · Panama
Surfing San Carlos Point (Jeffreys)
A point break in Rio Mar & the coast, Panama, for intermediate surfers.
- TypePoint Break
- LevelIntermediate
- Size2-6 ft
- Best monthsApr-Oct
- Crowd2/5
The wave
The fishing town of San Carlos has a right pointbreak, locally known as Jeffreys, where long, fast rides can be had down the rock and sand point at lower tides. It's a classic, rippable right that peels for a good distance when the swell and tide line up, a quality point wave within easy striking distance of Panama City.
The town itself is a mellow, working fishing community, and the point rewards surfers who can read the interaction of rock and sand as the banks shift. At the right size it's one of the more satisfying rides on this coast.
Try it on a south-west swell at lower tide for long, fast rights down the point, and check the sand each session as it moves. San Carlos is a reliable quality option on the West Panamá coast, a proper pointbreak named, like so many, after South Africa's Jeffreys Bay, delivering long walls a short drive from the capital.
8.47, -80.1 · S-SW swell, low tide · Open in Google Maps
When to surf San Carlos Point (Jeffreys)
San Carlos Point (Jeffreys) 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 San Carlos Point (Jeffreys)
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Esmeralda | Rio Mar & the coast | Reef Break | Intermediate | 10 km |
| Punta Teta | Rio Mar & the coast | Point Break | Intermediate | 13 km |
| Playa Malibú | Rio Mar & the coast | Beach Break | Intermediate | 14 km |
| Playa Serena | Rio Mar & the coast | Point Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 15 km |
| Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii) | Rio Mar & the coast | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 16 km |
| Punta Palmar | Rio Mar & the coast | Point Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 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 →
San Carlos Point (Jeffreys): common questions
When is the best time to surf San Carlos Point (Jeffreys)?
San Carlos Point (Jeffreys) works best from April to October. Ideal conditions: S-SW swell, low tide.
Is San Carlos Point (Jeffreys) good for beginners?
No. San Carlos Point (Jeffreys) is a wave for intermediate surfers. The closest beginner-friendly spot we cover is Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii) in Rio Mar & the coast, about 16 km away.
How crowded is San Carlos Point (Jeffreys)?
San Carlos Point (Jeffreys) is usually quiet: 2 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is San Carlos Point (Jeffreys)?
San Carlos Point (Jeffreys) is in Rio Mar & the coast, in the West Panamá Province region of Panama (8.47, -80.1). The nearest wave we cover is Costa Esmeralda, about 10 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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