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Surfing in PanamaFabulous surfing in Panama  Custom Search 
Panama still remains one of the “best kept secrets” for surfers. You get all the swells of Costa Rica without the crowds. But there’s so much more in the way of riding the waves. There are great waves breaking on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts up and down Panama. National and international matches of high technical and professional quality are held annually in Panama taking advantage of the enormous waves, particularly of the Panamanian Pacific. Food and lodging are cheap, and you can use the US dollar for currency. You can take your own food, but even when you are on the islands, restaurants offer a variety of local and western dishes for an average of $3-5! You can order beef, shrimp, chicken, fish, conch, octopus, etc. to name a few, with any combination of vegetables, rice, beans, French fries, lentils, plantain, and salad. Hamburgers and many other sandwiches are also available. Vegetarian diets are also accommodated. Meals cost an average of $3 to $5, but you can spend up to $10 for say, fresh lobster. The main season is February through October, but you can get better than descent swells all year around and you never need a wetsuit. The temperature of the water is around 82 to 84 degrees all the time! A reputable tour is always a good idea and usually includes deals on where to stay. These guys and they always know where the best waves are, with the least amount of traffic. For the most up-to-date conditions and reports in Panama click here Santa Catalina
You have to spend at least 2 days Santa Catalina on the Chiriqui Gulf. Literally a tropical paradise, Santa Catalina offers some of the best surf in Panama. It is the closest access point to Isla Coiba with its world class diving, great local dives and fishing and quiet charm for relaxing. It has beautiful beaches, lush forest and friendly people which make it a great stop for travelers wanting to enjoy some of the best of Panama's natural beauty and local flair on a minimal budget. It’s known for its high and long, hollow, waves reaching 20-25 ft with a good swell, with left and right breaks. The best time for the largest swell is between February and August. It can get a little crowded, (by Panama standards), with up to 30 surfers at a time in Santa Catalina. If you go in the off-season, you will have the breaks all to yourself. Typically you get between 4-15 ft waves in off-season. The tides can fluctuate up to 18' between high & low tide creating a variety of conditions and strong tidal push. Santa Catalina is best at medium to high tide, however when the swell is over 8 feet, you can normally surf right through the low tide. Low tide gets really shallow and hollow with steep drops and very fast falls. The break is a center peak with rights and lefts; however the rights are more perfect and hollow than the lefts. Low tide can be fun, but with the shallow water comes steep drops and fast falls. It’s best to go at medium tide, here.
Santa Catalina surfing report. San CarlosIf you want a nice day at the beach, there are some smaller breaks near Panama City at Rio Mar in San Carlos. CambutalCambutal, in the province of Los Santos is another great spot. Cambutal is just as good as Catalina offering powerful breaks both right and left. It never gets as busy as Catalina can. It’s a bit of a drive, 5 hours north-west from Panama City, but it’s worth it. Its 10 miles long, and you’ll find it’s only you and your friends out there 95% of the time.As with Catalina, the point breaks are the best and they can handle the big swells. Bocas Islands If you want perfect waves like in Tahiti, then you’ll want to check out all the places at the islands of Bocas. The awesome beach breaks off the white sandy beaches are still virgin for most surfers. You will see anywhere from 0 surfers to 10. If you feel crowded, it very simple to jump from one spot to the next by water taxi. You’ll experience steep reef breaks that are tubular and can get at high as 25’. The water is so clear; you’ll see the reef when you surf. It should be noted that the undercurrents here are very strong, so be aware, you’re on your own. You’ll catch every swell that the Caribbean can bring. In addition, since there are no hurricanes here, you will still catch some swells from the Atlantic when they’re in the water. For more on Bocas del Toro click here Pedasi
Pedasi-VenadoVenado is on the Azuero peninsula 25 mins drive from Pedasi. It is a place the locals really like to go for” fun” waves. They are not real powerful waves, but they’re a good size. They get as high as 16’, but 6-8 ft waves are the norm at medium tide anytime during season. There are some small beach cabins there, and a restaurant. Pedasi-Madrono A sand bottom, fast and hollow left hander breaking close to the beach. Located North of Venado, about a 5 minute drive. then a 20 minute hike through cow pastures and a few small creeks. This place gets slightly larger than Venado, and much more powerful. Must visit this place at medium to low tide. This is where large sea turtles crawl up on the beach to lay their eggs. You will see a variety of rare birds, colorful fish and turtles at this secluded beach. You will never find a crowd here. Pedasi-Ciruelo A rock bottom right point break, breaking over a volcanic rock reef and reeling off of a shallow rock bottom reef for about a 50 yard long ride. Located South of Venado, about a 5 minute drive, but no hiking. This place is usually about the same size as Venado, if not a foot or two bigger. You will never find a crowd here. Must surf this place on mid to low tide. Pedasi-Destiladeros A rock bottom right point break, breaking between at the peak between two large boulders and reeling down the rock bottom reef for a fairly long ride with various fun sections, tubes and a very shallow inside tube. There are also three other breaks within walking distance, one left and one right about 300 yards on each side of this point break plus a pebble bottom beach break that breaks rights and lefts with much more power than Venado. Located about 30 minutes south by car from Venado. This place gets double the size of Venado, but it can only be surfed on a swell, at least when Venado is over 6-7 feet. You will never find a crowd here. Must surf here between medium and high tide. Panama Links for Wave ReportsWaveWatch is a premiere, ALL FREE wave forecast website. This is the site of SurfLine.com, they tend to provide the most in-depth analysis of surf forecasts available for Central America. For more up-to-date wave conditions and reports in Panama, or for more information, check out the following free pages… http://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/PUBLIC/ This is a military oceanography site. When you enter, click on “Wave Heights”. For the Caribbean (Atlantic) side surf report, click on “North Atlantic”. For the Pacific side surf report, click on “South Pacific”. http://facs.scripps.edu/surf/gblpac.html This is the site of NOAA/NCEP WAVEWATCH III Plots. Click on “Mexico / Central America “for the wave report on both the Pacific and Atlantic sides of Panama. Want to Play Everyday?If you are looking to move to Panama and wide the waves everday check out a complete listing of homes and land for sale on Panama Real EstateWant to read or write about personal surfing experiences in Panama?Contribute reviews or read stories hereTry surfing in El Salvador too!Discover El Salvador surf… it boasts magnificent and consistent right hand cobblestone breaks, it is among the best in the world. For more click hereA Surfer BodyOk, so you are a surfer and supposedly super fit. You are strong and look pretty good but want those six-pack abs that look so cool? We found this site for you.....Click Here!Surfing SchoolIf you want to learn how to surf or how to improve your technique try this jiving surfing school in Costa Rica - click here
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