Camarones
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Camarones is a large sandy beach near Riohacha where kitesurfing is driven by NE–ENE trade winds, often reinforced by local heating inland. Wind is usually strongest in the dry season and tends to accelerate in the afternoon, supporting reliable high-wind sessions. On-water conditions are mainly choppy, with small waves and commonly cloudy water. This combination favors riders who enjoy freeride riding in bumpier water; kitesurfing is the primary sport for the spot. Steering and positioning can be affected by side-shore drift and currents along the coast. The launch area is described as very wide with ample space, and launch difficulty is generally considered easy. Despite the open beach, safety planning matters: there are strong currents, occasional debris, and very limited shade. The lagoon near the sanctuary is protected, so riders should avoid it and keep respectful distance from wildlife. For logistics, access is via a dirt road; informal sand/nearby parking is available, and it’s commonly treated as a day-trip option from Riohacha. Medical care is in Riohacha, so having a conservative plan for emergencies is important.
- Consistent NE–ENE trade winds with afternoon acceleration
- Big, wide sandy launch area
- Uncrowded sessions compared with larger nearby spots
- Protected Los Flamencos ecosystem backdrop (with access restrictions for riding)
- Consistent NE–ENE trade winds with strong afternoon acceleration
- Large sandy launch area with ample space
- Typically uncrowded year-round
- Choppy water can be tiring and can make transitions harder
- Water is commonly cloudy
- No formal on-site rescue or lifeguards
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — NE–ENE trade winds with a daily thermal/sea-breeze component that accelerates in the afternoon
- Reliability
- strong most of the time in season
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Wind described as steady/consistent in the dry season
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — small waves alongside chop
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop
- Launch
- Big — Very wide sandy beach with ample space for multiple kites
Through the year
Low year-round; peak in December–April but still uncrowded
September to November
By sport
What to expect for each.
Uncrowded kitesurfing on side-onshore trade winds with chop and small waves; a good option alongside Riohacha when you want less crowding. Water described as chop with small waves and generally best for intermediate riders.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
Possible but rarely practiced; conditions suit freeride and bump-and-jump styles.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Feasible in the ocean, but the chop and lack of infrastructure make it less common than kitesurfing.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 3–5 m²
Beach break producing mushy, wind-blown waves; generally better for beginners or longboarders when wind is light.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Strong NE winds create heavy chop and degrade wave quality.
- Bigger Swell
- becomes messy and disorganized with large swells and high wind
- Wave Quality
- Poor
- Wave Power
- Soft
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — wind-blown, mushy waves
- Peel Speed
- Slow
- Ride Length
- Short — short rides on wind-driven swell; waves tend to close out as size increases
- Ride Length Details
- Short rides; waves get messier and disorganized with larger swells and higher wind.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Camarones in the full forecast view.
Camarones wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 15 kts
- Direction
- NNW340°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 248 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.2 m4s period
- Temperature
- 25–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Camarones is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 15 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.1–0.2 m with a period of about 4s. 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
- strong currents
- remote location
- strong sun
- occasional debris
- significant side-shore drift and currents along the coast
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No formal dedicated beach rescue on-site; riders typically rely on local assistance while Coast Guard coverage is from Riohacha.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Riohacha (~20–30 minutes away). Colombia’s national emergency number is 123.
Rules of the spot
Do not ride inside the lagoon that is part of the protected Los Flamencos fauna and flora sanctuary; keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
- No kiting inside the flamingo sanctuary lagoon
- Bring plenty of water and sun protection as there is very little shade.
- Plan for day-trip logistics from Riohacha.
- Avoid kiting inside the flamingo sanctuary lagoon.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Riohacha
- Nearest Town
- Camarones
- Nearest Airport
- Almirante Padilla Airport (RCH) in Riohacha (~25 km away)
- Parking
- Informal parking is available on the sand or near the local ranchos.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via colectivos (shared taxis) and buses along the main highway between Riohacha and Santa Marta, followed by a short taxi or mototaxi ride
- Access
- Accessible via a dirt road from the main highway (Troncal del Caribe). A 4x4 is not strictly required but helpful during the rainy season.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Limited local guesthouses and eco-huts; more options are available in Riohacha.
- Food & Drink
- Local beachfront 'ranchos' serve traditional Caribbean Colombian food such as fried fish and coconut rice.
- Equipment Rental:
- No permanent rental shops directly on the beach; rentals are typically arranged through kite schools/camps operating out of Riohacha.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A raw, off-the-beaten-path coastal area with protected flamingo habitat nearby, plus desert-to-coast scenery and Wayuu cultural experience.
Protected area known for large populations of American flamingos and diverse coastal ecosystems.
Indigenous settlements where visitors can learn about Wayuu traditions, weaving, and gastronomy.
Guided canoe tours through mangroves to observe migratory birds and flamingos.
Rustic beachfront eateries serving traditional fried fish, coconut rice, and lobster.
Seaside boardwalk with local handicrafts, street food, and sunset views.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Camarones?
The best overall months at Camarones are December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January, February, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Camarones?
Camarones works with NE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Camarones?
Recommended equipment sizes at Camarones: Kitesurfing: 7–11 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Camarones suitable for?
Camarones suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner.