Surfing in Bocas Del Toro Panama
Surfing in Bocas Del Toro
Check out these Bocas Del Toro surfing videos from You Tube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTt_hEiymvk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3gJ5QltwMU
Surfing in Bocas Del Toro, Panama is different from surfing in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua or other places in Central America. The surf here is island/reef surf, similar to what a surfer might find in the South Pacific or Indian Ocean.
Much has been written about surfing in Bocas Del Toro and Panama over the recent years. Surfing Magazine, Storm Riders and Surfer Magazine have all featured Bocas Del Toro. We'll let you be the judge of the media, but the three qualities they got right about Bocas are:
Check out these Bocas Del Toro surfing videos from You Tube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTt_hEiymvk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3gJ5QltwMU
Surfing in Bocas Del Toro, Panama is different from surfing in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua or other places in Central America. The surf here is island/reef surf, similar to what a surfer might find in the South Pacific or Indian Ocean.
Much has been written about surfing in Bocas Del Toro and Panama over the recent years. Surfing Magazine, Storm Riders and Surfer Magazine have all featured Bocas Del Toro. We'll let you be the judge of the media, but the three qualities they got right about Bocas are:
- Consistent Swell
- Quality and Powerful Surf
- A Tropical Surfing Experience
Our FAQ section provides significant details regarding where the swell comes from and why. Please read this section. What it key to appreciate is that Bocas rivals many of the world's best known surf locations for power, size and most importantly, consistency. Come here in the surf season and see for yourself - rarely do people get skunked.
We will add that surfing in Bocas Del Toro is also scalable, it is not just for hell-men. If you are an advanced or professional level surfer, Bocas has the goods........OR......if you are a beginner or a surfer that wants to up your ante, Bocas has great surf spots for you as well.
Island Path Panama's job is to get you to the right spot for your abilities.
For the budget minded surfer, you can walk to the main breaks in 30 minutes. We are much closer than staying in town and our accomodations are competitive in price. We also offer tours to the local known spots as well as tours to the outer island surfing spots.......trust us, there are places to surf in Bocas Del Toro where you can surf alone. All tours are on a first come, first serve basis. Please see our Rates and Reservations page.
The following is a description of the local surf spots. At the end of this page is a short description of the outer island secret spots. Also, there is important information on Surf related topics on the FAQ page, don't skip this please.
BLUFF BEACH is a pounding beach break situated on the exposed, north-east facing coast of Isla Colon. To best get a sense of this place, watch the "DRIVE THROUGH - Central America" video (the first feature is mainly Bluff). Bluff Beach, at head high or under can be fun and manageable.......but once it gets overhead, Bluff becomes an A-list surfers spot only. The waves come out of deep water to unload on the beach with an intensity matched by only a few waves the world over. This is not hype - Bluff is the real deal.
You will get barreled at Bluff. And chances are, if you surf Bluff at size, you'll break your board. It breaks both right and left depending upon the swell angle. Bluff is also exposed and wind sensitive so slack winds and swell size are critical considerations.
To surf serious Bluff, you will need to be an advanced level surfer.
You will get barreled at Bluff. And chances are, if you surf Bluff at size, you'll break your board. It breaks both right and left depending upon the swell angle. Bluff is also exposed and wind sensitive so slack winds and swell size are critical considerations.
To surf serious Bluff, you will need to be an advanced level surfer.
SILVERBACKS is a well documented big wave spot that credibly can be compared to Backdoor Pipeline and Sunset. Coming out of deep water at the edge of the shipping channel off the island of Bastimentos, the waves jack as they encounter a sudden and dramatic change in sea depth caused by a large ledge. Due to the speed of these open ocean swells, the wave drains water off the reef and pitches an ultra-thick barrel. The trick is to get in early, and back door this beast. Silverbacks is a expert or professional level spot only.
There are a lot of pictures of Silverbacks on the internet. The pictures here we took on an average day. Look closely at the second photo's bottom left corner......the two surfers paddling hard behind the wave gives you a sense of the wave's size and thickness.
Inner Silverbacks is the right that breaks along the reef bordering Bastimentos. This long but fickle right needs slack winds and a swell out of the north. If the conditions are perfect, this wave is one of the longer surf breaks and offers surfers of all skill levels a true reef/point break wave allowing for tons of maneuvers. We keep a keen eye out for this bluebird and will suggest going there if we know it is breaking. It is a rare treat.
Carenaro Island is a sectioning series of left reefs that at size, will combine into a long hollow left. On it's day, Carenaro is world class and has become the wave which put Bocas Del Toro on the map. The tropical backdrop enhances the lineup, it is stunning just to sit and look at the rainforest here. Carenaro can be surfed by intermediate to advanced surfers and strictly breaks left. Unfortunately, Carenaro has become somewhat crowded and localized. The good news is that there are multiple lineups where crowds can be avoided and sometimes, these alternatives have better shaped waves than the tip of the island.
Paunch Reef is a left and right breaking reef on Isla Colon's east facing side, situated where the island bends towards the swell window coming from the north east.
At six feet and under, Paunch is a user-friendly spot offering intermediate to advanced surfers great waves for maneuvers and tricks. At eight foot and over, Paunch begins to get a bit more serious and the thick lips begin to pitch as the wave sucks harder. You'll need to be honest with yourself regarding your skill level at this size.
Paunch offers four lineups that can shift and merge. Paunch does get crowded but for the most part, the various line ups spread it out. You'll be sure to get plenty of waves.
Mostly, Paunch is a left, but on the west side of the reef, two rights break. But beware........ at size, the channel shuts down and the paddle out becomes seriously no fun. Make sure you can duck dive and stay off the reef!
Dump is another well documented wave that has tons of pictures on the internet. Dump is like surfing in a small arena, where the reef is fully exposed to your right and directly in front of you at all times. What makes this even more intimidating is that the wave sucks off the reef hard offering advanced surfers a steep drop, a pitching shack and a two maneuver wall before the wave sucks dry.....thats it. An intense, short ride.
Dump is also a locals favorite. Show respect and you'll get plenty of waves though. It breaks hard enough that if you ride it well, the locals recognize this.
Inner Dump is a totally different wave from outer Dump. This lined up wave fires over a shallow reef just feet from the shore. Using Dump as an indicator, the wave peels left flawlessly, sometimes as a non-stop barrel for about 100 yards. Inner Dump would be a good challenge for intermediate surfers when it is uncrowded and head high. Expert surfers will take this place apart whenever it breaks.
Both Dump and Inner Dump take a solid swell to break.
Tiger Tails is a sand/reef break that breaks in a small gap in the reef at Puss Point (as in "Cat"). Best surfed at head high, Tiger Tails offers intermediate to expert surfers a steep peak that breaks both right and left. This wave is a good alternative when Paunch is crowded. Rock solid duck diving skills are critical here as there is no channel when paddling out. Be advised, Tiger Tails, like all of the beach breaks in Bocas Del Toro will be hollow and will break hard.
Punta Toro is a mystery as it breaks under everybody's nose, yet remains uncrowded. We'll leave the exact location a secret.
Punta Toro is actually three distinct right breaking bowls that are exposed. When it is two feet at Old Man's, it is five feet at Punta Toro.
The first bowl is a peak that comes out of deep water and abruptly hits a shallow ledge. The wave jacks, pitches and reels for a short 40 yard barrel that leaves the surfer in the impact zone for the second bowl. The second bowl swings wider onto the reef and tends to double up and pitch into a pipe that walls up for a longer ride than the first bowl. The third option we call the "Dessert Bowl". It is a smaller wave than the first and second bowl but often, the wave is longer and offers the surfer better tube options. At size, this is a sure bet.
At swells up to six feet and with slack winds, Punta Toro is a ton of fun for intermediate to advanced surfers. There is a well defined channel so duck dives are a minimum.
Once the swell hits eight feet and over, things get heavy. Expect the water to drain off the reef as the wave doubles up into massively thick lips and intimidatingly hollow barrels. The First Bowl really comes to life and the Second Bowl just gets scary. We took one long time Bocas local there and he had his all-time longest hold down at Punta Toro. Needless to say, it was a very heavy experience for all.
Old Man's is a bowly reef break in the channel between Carenaro and Bastimentos Island. This right and left breaking wave is a favorite for surfers of all skill levels. On the outside, the wave feels the reef and horseshoes into a bending wall that breaks both ways. Pay attention, often, the left is longer than the right and outside sets can get hollow. A really fun wave for all.
Julio's Right is a long right that starts as bowl that peels down the reef. This wave is perfect for all skill levels and under head high, it is a perfect longboard wave. Once over head, Julio's presents the surfer with a near perfect wall that begs for lip bashing, roundhouse cut backs and airs. The takeoff can get hollow, but the wave never gets intimidating. Julio's Right is also under everybody's nose but chances are, you'd surf this wave alone. We always keep an eye on Julio's Right.
Sand Fly Bay is the bay that borders Saigon. If you are a beginner, or want to learn to surf, this is the place. There are a series of spots, from Lilyana's Corner to Kristi Beach and more. Offering a perfect venue to learn and enhance your skills, the crowd is never a problem at Sand Fly Bay. These gentle waves will keep you coming back for more if you are in the early stages of your surfing life.
Breaks on Bastimentos are mostly beach breaks. First Beach (Wizard Beach) and Playa Larga offer surfers an uncrowded alternative to the town breaks mentioned above. Playa Larga is especially impressive and offers the intermediate and advanced surfer challenging drops and super hollow tubes. Again, your duck diving skills must be in order. If the swell is up, the surfer must be honest with themselves about their abilities before going to Playa Larga.......given the right conditions, Playa Larga is a worldclass beachbreak that rivals Mexico and France for power and tubes.
The boat ride out is long and skirts the north facing coast of Bastimentos. The tropical view alone is worth the trip. You'll swear you saw a T-Rex in the trees.
Dump is also a locals favorite. Show respect and you'll get plenty of waves though. It breaks hard enough that if you ride it well, the locals recognize this.
Inner Dump is a totally different wave from outer Dump. This lined up wave fires over a shallow reef just feet from the shore. Using Dump as an indicator, the wave peels left flawlessly, sometimes as a non-stop barrel for about 100 yards. Inner Dump would be a good challenge for intermediate surfers when it is uncrowded and head high. Expert surfers will take this place apart whenever it breaks.
Both Dump and Inner Dump take a solid swell to break.
Tiger Tails is a sand/reef break that breaks in a small gap in the reef at Puss Point (as in "Cat"). Best surfed at head high, Tiger Tails offers intermediate to expert surfers a steep peak that breaks both right and left. This wave is a good alternative when Paunch is crowded. Rock solid duck diving skills are critical here as there is no channel when paddling out. Be advised, Tiger Tails, like all of the beach breaks in Bocas Del Toro will be hollow and will break hard.
Punta Toro is a mystery as it breaks under everybody's nose, yet remains uncrowded. We'll leave the exact location a secret.
Punta Toro is actually three distinct right breaking bowls that are exposed. When it is two feet at Old Man's, it is five feet at Punta Toro.
The first bowl is a peak that comes out of deep water and abruptly hits a shallow ledge. The wave jacks, pitches and reels for a short 40 yard barrel that leaves the surfer in the impact zone for the second bowl. The second bowl swings wider onto the reef and tends to double up and pitch into a pipe that walls up for a longer ride than the first bowl. The third option we call the "Dessert Bowl". It is a smaller wave than the first and second bowl but often, the wave is longer and offers the surfer better tube options. At size, this is a sure bet.
At swells up to six feet and with slack winds, Punta Toro is a ton of fun for intermediate to advanced surfers. There is a well defined channel so duck dives are a minimum.
Once the swell hits eight feet and over, things get heavy. Expect the water to drain off the reef as the wave doubles up into massively thick lips and intimidatingly hollow barrels. The First Bowl really comes to life and the Second Bowl just gets scary. We took one long time Bocas local there and he had his all-time longest hold down at Punta Toro. Needless to say, it was a very heavy experience for all.
Old Man's is a bowly reef break in the channel between Carenaro and Bastimentos Island. This right and left breaking wave is a favorite for surfers of all skill levels. On the outside, the wave feels the reef and horseshoes into a bending wall that breaks both ways. Pay attention, often, the left is longer than the right and outside sets can get hollow. A really fun wave for all.
Julio's Right is a long right that starts as bowl that peels down the reef. This wave is perfect for all skill levels and under head high, it is a perfect longboard wave. Once over head, Julio's presents the surfer with a near perfect wall that begs for lip bashing, roundhouse cut backs and airs. The takeoff can get hollow, but the wave never gets intimidating. Julio's Right is also under everybody's nose but chances are, you'd surf this wave alone. We always keep an eye on Julio's Right.
Sand Fly Bay is the bay that borders Saigon. If you are a beginner, or want to learn to surf, this is the place. There are a series of spots, from Lilyana's Corner to Kristi Beach and more. Offering a perfect venue to learn and enhance your skills, the crowd is never a problem at Sand Fly Bay. These gentle waves will keep you coming back for more if you are in the early stages of your surfing life.
Breaks on Bastimentos are mostly beach breaks. First Beach (Wizard Beach) and Playa Larga offer surfers an uncrowded alternative to the town breaks mentioned above. Playa Larga is especially impressive and offers the intermediate and advanced surfer challenging drops and super hollow tubes. Again, your duck diving skills must be in order. If the swell is up, the surfer must be honest with themselves about their abilities before going to Playa Larga.......given the right conditions, Playa Larga is a worldclass beachbreak that rivals Mexico and France for power and tubes.
The boat ride out is long and skirts the north facing coast of Bastimentos. The tropical view alone is worth the trip. You'll swear you saw a T-Rex in the trees.
Outer Island and Discovery Opportunities
Most surfers dream of finding their own spot, being the first to ride it........to name it. There are tons of surf tours world wide that hint about this, but few can really offer the opportunity. Island Path Panama is the exception. We own land on an island that puts the surfer closer to the empty or undiscovered surf than any other option in Bocas. This means extended stays and considerable time and cost savings in order to get to these places. Also, the Gulfo De Miskito coastline is holding a massive number of potentially mind numbing spots and we are the closest tour operator to this difficult to access region.
Stay tuned as we offer selective options to explore areas that few have been to in the future.
As a tease, the picture below is of a spot we discovered recently. A perfect right reef/point break that breaks at all sizes. When it gets big, it combines the sections into the longest wave in the region. Few know where it is and it is tough to get to (the local taxi drivers will NOT know where this is). Island Path Panama is holding, we are invested in this area and can get you there.
Most surfers dream of finding their own spot, being the first to ride it........to name it. There are tons of surf tours world wide that hint about this, but few can really offer the opportunity. Island Path Panama is the exception. We own land on an island that puts the surfer closer to the empty or undiscovered surf than any other option in Bocas. This means extended stays and considerable time and cost savings in order to get to these places. Also, the Gulfo De Miskito coastline is holding a massive number of potentially mind numbing spots and we are the closest tour operator to this difficult to access region.
Stay tuned as we offer selective options to explore areas that few have been to in the future.
As a tease, the picture below is of a spot we discovered recently. A perfect right reef/point break that breaks at all sizes. When it gets big, it combines the sections into the longest wave in the region. Few know where it is and it is tough to get to (the local taxi drivers will NOT know where this is). Island Path Panama is holding, we are invested in this area and can get you there.
