Best surf beaches in Panama
On the shores of native fishing villages, remote or even just off the coast of the big city, surfers will find a true surfer’s paradise thanks to the constant currents of the Pacific Ocean and in the crystal clear bays of the Caribbean Sea. Almost regardless of the season, Panama offers the real kick in the waves for professionals and beginners every month. With the Morpho van you can go to any of these beaches and enjoy a free action program.
Santa Catalina (Veraguas)
Santa Catalina is one of the hottest surf spots in Panama. The tides and the currents of the Pacific Ocean reliably send their best waves to the coast of Panama. From March to October, waves here can reach 8-10 meters at a point break with strong and long waves breaking both left and right.
“Surfing is not just a sport, it’s a way of life”- this was explained to me two years ago by Luis, a Portuguese who runs a beautiful hotel in the middle of a hill with a direct view of the waves in Santa Catalina. Every morning and afternoon, after welcoming his new guests, he gets on his board and enjoys every free minute in the water.
Luis is one with the waves and surfing is an important part of his life. When he told me about one of his many experiences in the waves, I couldn’t get out of my amazement. From July to early September, humpback whales migrate through the waters of Coiba, a marine national park off the coast of Panama that descends from the Galapagos Islands. The giant sea creatures regularly thrill divers and snorkelers, as they are nearly 99% a fantastic photo subject during this time and a great reminder of your trip with the Morpho Van through Panama.
Luis actually had the pleasure of racing the waves with a giant whale. Humpback whales are among the gentle giants of the seas and are very curious. The magnificent sea creature paid attention to Luis for almost half an hour, accompanying him on his morning surf lap until he dove back into the depths of the Pacific.
The proximity to a nature reserve with incredible biodiversity make Panama a dream destination for anyone who has been waiting to meet whale sharks, turtles, hammerhead sharks, orcas and humpback whales. Many vacationers come to Panama just for surfing, snorkeling and diving and head straight for Santa Catalina, because here their expectations are not disappointed.
Playa Venao (Los Santos)
A consistent and chill community that enjoys the real beach vibes and surfer life, you will find on a long and wide beach in the bay of Playa Venao. Small hotels in all classes and a friendly gastronomy scene make you feel absolutely comfortable.
At Playa Venao both long and easy rides with the surfboard are possible. Here you can also book surf lessons as a beginner and learn to merge with the waves. After a long day in the sea, you will always find someone to share your experiences and thoughts with in the bars overlooking the gorgeous sunset.
The surf spot at Playa Venao is an ideal place for a relaxing and sporty surfing vacation. With the Morpho van you can reach Playa Venao after about 6 hours of driving from Panama City. You can also park the camper at a specially designed campsite and fill up your water supply and provide the Morpho Van with additional electricity. Playa Venao is a paradise for campers and surfers.
Connected to a beautiful national park with many dense jungles, you will find adventures in the water and on land. If you find beach life too monotonous, you can head to the nearest dreamy town of Pedasi. This small town will enchant you with its originality and its warm people, who live here in seclusion and yet hospitably with the holidaymakers. Delicious food at a reasonable price and nice conversations make every day a wonderful experience.
Morro Negrito (Chiriqui)
The unspoiled island of Morro Negrito is located in the archipelago of the Gulf of Chiriqui. It is surrounded by several islands and scores with unique waves and a consistent swell off the Pacific coast. From fast hollow point breaks to beach breaks with a sandy bottom, your surfing heart will get its money’s worth.
Punta Burica is an exposed reef break with fairly consistent surf, offering both left and right reef breaks that are perfect for advanced surfers. You can reach this brilliant insider tip by boat from the mainland and look forward to a surfing experience on an almost deserted beach.
Isla Colon, Bastimentos und Carenero (Bocas del Toro)
The Caribbean coast of Panama offers not only picturesque islands with mangroves and white dream beaches, but also fantastic moments on the surfboard. Bocas del Toro consists of an island archipelago and a peninsula. With the Morpho Van you can easily get over a mountain pass to a ferry that will take you and the campervan to the main island Isla Colon. You can also leave the Morpho Van in a guarded parking lot of the Ferry Company during your stay on Bocas. This is not expensive and in Bocas del Toro you can get everywhere by cab or by boat.
On Isla Colon life is bustling. Numerous hotels, bars and restaurants offer you a colorful entertainment and many surf schools. Here you will find the most equipment rentals and at Paunch Beach great breakwaters with long waves on which you can ride even as a surfing beginner. Other great surf spots on Isla Colon are Dumpers and Playa Bluff. Dumpers is an exposed reef break with constant swell. It is a left reef break and surfers should watch out for rocks and reefs. Playa Bluff is a long, beautiful beach at the end of Isla Colon. This northeast facing beach break offers powerful, fast breaking waves that are only suitable for experienced surfers as this is a difficult surf spot.
From the town of Bocas, you can take a seven-minute water cab ride to Bastimentos or a two-minute ride to Carenero, where you can surf some of the best breaks in the region. On Bastimentos, one of the larger islands in Isla Bastimentos Marine National Park, advanced surfers shouldn’t miss the action at Wizard Beach, an endless beach and reef that offers constant surf. Off Bastimentos is Silverbacks, a 25-minute boat ride from Bocas Town, one of the region’s most famous and largest breakwaters. The waves can reach six meters and are difficult, so this spot is only suitable for professional big-wave surfers.
There are several top surf spots on Carenero, including Carenero Point. It is the surfing beach for surfers with intermediate to advanced skills. Old Man’s welcomes beginners and advanced surfers to its calm shores on Carenero Island. It is the ideal spot to learn how to surf at a point break. Off the island is Black Rock, where beginners and advanced surfers can expect left-breaking and right-breaking waves on a deep reef. Everywhere you go in Bocas del Toro you will meet dolphins, who love the waves as much as you do. They often accompany the surfers on the coast and jump through the surf.
Experience the pure surfing pleasure at the many surf spots along the coasts of Panama. With our campervan you can design your surfing vacation as you like and at the same time dive into the breathtaking underwater world of the country.
