Barbasquillo (Manta)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Barbasquillo (Manta) is an urban beach on the west side of Manta’s bay, accessed via the Malecón Escénico beach and then walking west along the shoreline. It’s characterized by shallow, sandy water and typically small waves with either flat water or small chop, depending on conditions. Wind reliability is one of the main attractions: SW through WSW to W winds are the best directions, with the most consistent season running from June through November. A thermal sea breeze builds after midday and strengthens into the late afternoon, aligning well with afternoon sessions for kiting, windsurfing, and wingfoiling. Kitesurfing and windsurfing conditions are generally side-onshore in these directions and can mix flat water with small chop. Wingfoiling is described as foil-friendly once you are past the shore break, with enough depth for foiling (at least around 1.5 meters). Surfing can work—particularly in the mornings for cleaner wave surfaces—while afternoon wind may add noticeable surface chop. For safety, rocks are the key concern in shallow water and near the ends of the bay; some rocks may also be submerged at higher tide. Avoid kiting in the Malecón Escénico swimming area, watch for swimmers during busy weekends/holidays, and plan launch/landing around tide for more beach space.
- Reliable SW–W wind + afternoon thermal build in the dry season (June–November)
- Shallow, sandy, generally clean water suitable for progression
- Near-city access through Malecón Escénico
- Consistent SW–W–WSW wind in the dry season (June to November)
- Shallow, sandy water with small waves/chop suited to progression
- Close to city services and access via Malecón Escénico
- Rocks (including possible submerged rocks) in/near the shallow launch zone and at bay ends
- Water and wave surface can become choppy in the afternoon due to wind
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, WSW, W
- Wind Range
- 12–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Prevailing trade winds reinforced by a thermal component.
- Reliability
- High during the dry season from June to November.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady wind is reported; also noted that the thermal effect builds reliably in the dry season.
- Best Months
- June, July, August, September, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 10–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Described as flat with chop and/or small chop depending on conditions.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach that can become narrow during high tide.
Through the year
Can be crowded with locals and tourists on weekends and public holidays.
January to May is the rainy season.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Side-onshore afternoon conditions with a mix of flat water and small chop; also described as an afternoon spot for local kiters.
- Kite Sizes
- 10–14 m²
Suitable for freeride and foil windsurfing in the afternoons when the thermal wind builds.
- Sail Sizes
- 6–8 m²
Depth is suitable for foiling once past the shore break; consistent wind supports cruising.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 5–6 m²
A left-hand break at the northern end can work well with Pacific swells.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Low to mid tide offers more beach space for launching and landing (practical consideration).
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered
- Wind Effect
- Afternoon winds can make the wave surface choppy; best in the morning.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Barbasquillo (Manta) in the full forecast view.
Barbasquillo (Manta) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–10 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- WNW289°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2410 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–0.5 m9s period
- Temperature
- 25–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Barbasquillo (Manta) is forecast for daytime winds of 1–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.3–0.5 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- Submerged rocks near the cliffs
- Swimmers and beachgoers during weekends
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is reported as no at the spot level, with regional rescue handled by the Ecuadorian Coast Guard and lifeguards often stationed on nearby beaches.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are located in central Manta.
Rules of the spot
Respect the designated swimming zones and avoid kiting close to urban infrastructure.
- Kiting is discouraged in the Malecón Escénico swimming area.
- Watch for rocks in shallow water.
- Low to mid tide offers more beach space for launching and landing.
- The wind is most consistent in the late afternoon.
- The launch/landing area may become narrower during high tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Manta
- Nearest Town
- Manta
- Nearest Airport
- Eloy Alfaro International Airport (MEC)
- Parking
- Parking lot at the entrance of Malecón Escénico; public parking is available near Malecón Escénico and adjacent hotels.
- Public Transport
- Well served by local taxis and buses (plus ride-sharing within city limits).
- Access
- From the airport go to the center of the city of Manta. Go to the Malecón Escénico and enter the beach there; Barbasquillo is the beach on the same bay further west.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Several hotels range from luxury to budget directly behind the beach.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous beachfront restaurants and bars are available along the Malecón.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available for surfing; kiting gear rental is described as limited.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Barbasquillo (Manta)?
The best overall months at Barbasquillo (Manta) are June, July, August, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Barbasquillo (Manta)?
Barbasquillo (Manta) works with SW, WSW, W winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Barbasquillo (Manta)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Barbasquillo (Manta): Kitesurfing: 10–14 m² · Windsurfing: 6–8 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–22 kts.
What skill level is Barbasquillo (Manta) suitable for?
Barbasquillo (Manta) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.