Panama surf guide
Surfing Santa Catalina
The world-class right point and the heavy Punta Brava left
- Spots2
- LevelsAdvanced, Intermediate
- Best seasonApr-Oct
- RegionSouthwest Panama
The waves at Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina
- Point Break
- Intermediate / Advanced
- 3-15 ft
- Apr-Oct
- Crowd 4/5
Santa Catalina remained a cherished secret for years but now has the reputation as one of the best waves in Central America, thanks to unrivalled reliability and year-round offshores. Swell-pulling bathymetry sucks in S-SW where the peeling rights break almost every day, especially from April to October. The outside La Punta section attracts the biggest crowd, who then get dispersed down the long point, which works much better at high tide, and the offshores get very strong in the afternoon.
At high tide the defined peak offers a big drop both ways, though the left is short-lived and fats out fairly quickly, while those lucky enough to snag a set off the talented crew will wind down the long reef, hitting a few critical corners where the dash is best done behind the curtain. Ruler-edged walls bring out the best in intermediates, who can pick up waves further down the line. Low tide is very sketchy and makes getting in and out arduous.
Come on a solid south-west swell, favour the high tide and mind the rock-hop in and out. Ultra-reliable through the southern-hemi swell season and able to handle the surf-camp crowds, Santa Catalina is Panama's world-class right, a long, ruler-edged point that fires almost daily and rewards everyone from intermediates to experts.
7.620344, -81.257672 · Swell S-SW, marea alta, offshore todo el día
Punta Brava
- Reef Break
- Advanced
- 3-10 ft
- Apr-Oct
- Crowd 1/5
Punta Brava is a challenging, low-tide left in a small rocky bay that offers no paddling channel and is littered with nasty rocks. Always bigger than anywhere else, it's far safer surfing from a boat and avoiding getting caught inside, a heavy, demanding wave that keeps the crowd tiny and the stakes high. There are quite a few other reefs and beaches between super-crowded Santa Catalina and here that offer high quality but rarely get any takers, plus some wedgy, bowling lefts further west at Punta Roca.
Offshore, the islands of Sebaco and Coiba offer a variety of waves in a wilderness setting for those with a boat and time to explore.
Come on a solid south-west swell at lower tide, ideally with a boat for access and safety, and respect the rocks. Punta Brava is the heavy, uncrowded alternative to Santa Catalina's busy point, a serious left for experienced surfers, and a gateway to the untapped reefs and islands of Panama's wild south-west.
7.63, -81.26 · Swell S-SW, marea baja, desde barco
Where to stay near Santa Catalina
- Oasis Surf Camp — Surf Camp: Beachfront camping and cabins on Estero beach, a 15-min walk to the point, the cheap, sociable Santa Catalina base.
- Cabañas Rolo — Guesthouse: Local legend Rolo's long-running cabins in town with a boat, the classic budget stay by the Santa Catalina point.
- Hibiscus Garden — Boutique Hotel: Comfortable beachfront rooms a short drive from town, a quieter mid-range base with pool and restaurant.
Beyond the surf
- Coiba National Park: A UNESCO marine park and former prison island, world-class diving, whales and pristine reefs, by boat from Santa Catalina.
- Santa Catalina village: A tiny surf-and-dive village at the end of the road, with cliff-top views over the point and a laid-back traveller scene.
- Isla Cébaco day trip: Boat out to the wilderness reefs and beaches of Cébaco island, largely empty and full of potential.
Best time to surf Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina works best around Apr-Oct. See the full month-by-month breakdown for Panama.
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