Surfing in Panama started around 20 years ago, when places like Bocas del Toro and Santa Catalina were first being discovered for having world-class waves. Since then, tourism has grown around surfing and an abundance of hostels, surf camps, yoga shalas, and beach lodges have sprung up throughout the country.

By now, we’ve all been to Costa Rica (probably a few times), and while its waves are world-class, it has become quite crowded over the years (for good reason).

Thankfully, Costa Rica’s similarly safe, stable, and beautiful neighbor, Panama, has just as many world-class surf spots! Panama waits patiently, almost hiding, until its turn for surfing glory. And that means you can still find perfect point breaks, perfect beach breaks, and perfect everything-in-between, still uncrowded and minimally developed, if at all. 

Let’s check out the 7 best spots for surfing in Panama. We’ve lived in Bocas del Toro, Panama, since 2015, and have explored the country extensively in our time here. Here’s what we know about Surfing in Panama!

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When to Visit Panama for Surfing

Since both the Caribbean and Pacific sides are great for surfing in Panama, you’ll want to make sure you come during the right season. In general, when the waves are good on the Caribbean side, it’s off-season on the Pacific side. And when the Pacific side is pumping, the Caribbean turns into a sweltering bathtub. 

Pacific Side:

The best time to surf on the Pacific side of Panama for consistent swell and offshore winds is April to August. Dry season on the Pacific side runs from November to April, and dry weather means there are fewer storms that bring good swell.

Pacific side tides:

The tidal change is huge here, like 15+ feet, so many spots are un-surfable at low tide and get too fat at high tide. This limits the amount of hours in a day you can surf.

Caribbean Side:

Conversely, when it goes flat on the Pacific side, the Caribbean starts to heat up. November through April is when the best and most consistent swells will hit, with December, January, and February seeing the peak swells. Mini season occurs in June, July and August, with July being the best out of these months. 

Caribbean tides:

The tidal change here is only about 2’-3’ on average, so you can surf all day long here. This helps to spread out the crowds as well!

The 7 best Areas for Surfing in Panama:

#1 Bocas del Toro

Bocas del Toro is an archipelago in the northwest corner of Panama that boasts having more surf spots in a 2-mile radius than anywhere else in the world. There are beach breaks, reef breaks, left and right points, giant slabs, and waves for all skill levels, from little kids just starting out up to Kelly Slater (he has visited the islands!). 

If you want to visit one location in Panama and have a ton of waves at your fingertips, then Bocas del Toro is the place to go! The best way to get around here is by boat, which can drop you off anywhere and at any time. With a tidal difference of only a few feet, you can surf at any tide, a huge bonus compared the 15ft tides of the Pacific side. There are also 20 different beaches within a 1-hour boat ride from Bocas Town, and only a handful ever see tourists, so get out there and explore!

Check out our detailed Bocas del Toro Surf Spot Guide

#2 Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina was a quiet fishing village until it was discovered as a world-class surf spot. Now a small town has sprung up on its shores with eco-lodges, dive shops, and surf hostels. 

The main wave here is the Point, a long right-hand point break that can hold swell up to double or triple overhead. There’s also a fun beach break nearby and some other waves in the vicinity, but you’ll want a rent-a-car to explore here. 

A bonus of staying in Santa Catalina is that Isla Coiba is just a boat ride away. Isla Coiba is a UNESCO world heritage marine park, where whale sharks, sea turtles, and rare tropical birds can be found. If you’re in Santa Catalina during the dry season, visiting Isla Coiba should be #1 on your to-do list!

Check out the Santa Catalina Surf Spot Guide

Where to Stay: Hotel Santa Catalina, Villa Coco

#3 Playa Morillo

Playa Morillo, also on Panama’s Pacific coast, is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the country. It’s about as raw, rugged, and tropical as it gets, with black sand and palm trees as far as the eye can see.

Morillo Proper is the main beach break, and there’s around 5 good take-off spots offering rights and lefts. The beach can hold size, but if its too big it will close out, and then you can move to the next beach over which will still be a manageable size.

Where to Stay: Morillo Beach Resort, Casa Morillo

#4 Playa Venao

Playa Venao is about a 5-hour drive from Panama City, also on the Pacific Coast of the country. It’s known for two things: surfing and electronic music. 

If you want to surf all day and dance all night to some of the best DJs in Panama, then you might just fall in love with Venao. This location is purely touristic, with the nearest good supermarket being a 30-minute drive. There are plenty of hostels and hotels though, and more than a few beach bars, yoga shalas, and swimming pools. 

The actual wave here is a beach break spread out across a cove. It’s best on an incoming tide and frequently has offshore winds. 

Where to Stay: El Sitio, Eco Venao, Beach Break Surf Camp

#5 Punta Chame:

Close to Panama City, Punta Chame is a popular spot for both beginners and advanced surfers. Its sandy bottom and gentle waves provide an excellent environment for learning, while the more experienced can tackle larger waves outside the bay.

Punta Chame is also a popular spot for any wind-related sports like kitesurfing, wind foiling, ect. 

Punta Chame is about a 1.5-3 hour drive out of Panama City, so it’s one of the closest places to find good surf near Panama City.

#6 Cambutal

Cambutal, located in the province of Los Santos, is a serene and uncrowded surf spot. There are beach breaks and reef breaks here, and it’s a little hard to get to due to the dirt road used to access the area. This means its less traveled than other spots that are easier accessed in Panama. 

There are still a handful of good hotels to stay in, mostly beachfront, and the sunsets are typically epic on the Pacific!

Where to Stay: Sansara Surf and Yoga Retreat, Hotel Playa Cambutal, Breathe Healing and Wellness Retreat

# 7 Isla Grande

Back on the Caribbean coast in the province of Colón lies Isla Grande, an island just off the coast from the mainland. Colón has a distinctly Caribbean feel, with Afro-Caribbean people making up the majority of the 1000 locals here.  

Isla Grande itself has several good waves, and if you hire a boat you can explore more waves on some of the surrounding islands. While the waves here are good, Bocas del Toro is the better option for a Caribbean archipelago surfing experience. 

Conclusion:

Surfing in Panama provides a diverse range of experiences, from powerful Pacific breaks to tropical Caribbean waves. 

With stunning scenery, warm tropical waters, and surf spots for all levels of surfers, Panama is an excellent destination for your next surf trip. So grab your board and pack your sunscreen and bug spray. Get ready to ride the waves in this beautiful Central American paradise! 

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner eager to catch your first wave, Panama has a surf spot waiting for you!

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