Anconcito
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Anconcito is an exposed right-hand point break located near the fishing village on Ecuador’s Santa Elena Peninsula. It’s known for working only infrequently, with conditions that depend heavily on the correct swell wrapping around the point and presenting enough shape over the rocky bottom. When it does line up, it can deliver a rewarding ride: peeling, workable walls (and sometimes beautiful barrels) suited to surfers who can navigate rugged hazards. Sources emphasize that it typically needs a substantial swell to activate properly and that it tends to hold larger swells well once it starts breaking. Wind is often a limiting factor for surf quality. Light/offshore winds from the Northeast are most favorable, while onshore Southwest winds can quickly make the wave choppy. Regionally, afternoon thermal sea breezes strengthen later in the day (roughly 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM), but afternoon wind can conflict with the best surfing setup on any given day. Safety-wise, the spot is hazardous: rocks, sea urchins, strong currents during larger swells, and fishing boat traffic near the working port all require extra caution—especially at low tide where entry/exit can be tricky. Lifeguards are not present, and rescue is limited, with coast guard services based in nearby Salinas; have a plan before getting into the water.
- Exposed right-hand point break with infrequent but rewarding surf
- Rocky bottom with potential barrels on best days
- Favorable offshore/light winds from the Northeast; Southwest can cause chop
- Exposed point break with potential for long peeling walls and barreling when it lines up.
- Warm water temperatures much of the year.
- Typically quiet/low-profile, with occasional local crowds on rare perfect swell days.
- Only works once in a while; requires the right swell/wrap to break cleanly.
- Rocky bottom and rocky entry/exit increase risk.
- Consistency issues and choppiness risk when winds are not favorable.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, WSW
- Offshore directions
- N, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–18 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Afternoon thermal sea breezes reinforced by prevailing southwesterly trade winds.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- Small areas of wind shadow can occur close to the base of the cliffs.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Mixed — Mixed composition with rocky areas near cliffs and small sandy patches.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky entry near the fishing village cliffs or small sandy patches.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Rocky entry and exit require care, especially at low tide.
Through the year
Usually quiet and low-profile, with local crowds appearing only on rare days when the swell is perfect.
January to April is the rainy season, characterized by occasional tropical downpours.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed right-hand point break that only works infrequently—requiring the right swell wrap to activate peeling walls over a rocky bottom.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW, WSW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Point exposure with some protection compared to fully open coast; overall described as exposed by sources.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore/light winds from the Northeast help; Southwest winds can quickly make the wave choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles larger swells well, and larger swell is often needed for the spot to break effectively.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — On its best days it offers a long, workable wall that peels along the rocky shoreline.
- Ride Length Details
- Medium rides on working days; longer, peeling walls when conditions align.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Anconcito in the full forecast view.
Anconcito wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–9 ktsGusts 16 kts
- Direction
- WSW253°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 249 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–2.0 m11s period
- Temperature
- 25–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Anconcito is forecast for daytime winds of 3–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 16 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 1.1–2.0 m with a period of about 11s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- sea urchins
- fishing boat traffic
- strong currents during larger swells
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Coast guard services are stationed in nearby Salinas; there is no dedicated kite/windsurf rescue on the immediate Anconcito beaches.
- Emergency Info
- National emergency number is 911. The nearest major medical facility is Hospital General Dr. Liborio Panchana Sotomayor in Santa Elena.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Sources describe the area as generally low-profile with occasional local crowds on rare perfect-swell days.
Rules of the spot
Use extra caution on the rocky entry/exit and around boat traffic near the fishing port; avoid the water during strong currents on larger swells.
- Be mindful of the rocky entry and exit points, especially during low tide.
- Keep an eye out for boat movements because the spot is near a working fishing port.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Salinas
- Nearest Town
- Anconcito
- Nearest Airport
- José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE) — approximately 140 km.
- Parking
- Local parking is available in the town or near the harbor area.
- Public Transport
- Local buses and cooperativas connect Anconcito with Salinas and Santa Elena regularly.
- Access
- Accessible by road; reached by heading through the town of Anconcito towards the coastal cliffs.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Local guest houses in Anconcito, with a wider range of hotels in nearby Salinas and La Libertad.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous local seafood restaurants and small shops are available in the town.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available through mobile schools or shops located in nearby Salinas and Santa Elena.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A mix of traditional fishing culture and coastal tourism with dramatic cliffs and seasonal wildlife interest.
A scenic lookout point at the westernmost tip of the peninsula known for crashing waves and sea lions.
A hotel and museum housing nautical artifacts with panoramic cliff views.
Seasonal humpback whale watching tours departing from Salinas or Ayangue.
Freshly caught seafood prepared in local traditional styles.
A bustling boardwalk with shops, cafes, and sandy beaches suitable for children.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Anconcito?
The best overall months at Anconcito are December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Anconcito?
Anconcito works with SW, WSW winds. Offshore directions are N, NE.
What skill level is Anconcito suitable for?
Anconcito suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.