Corto Circuito (Tonosí)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Corto Circuito is an exposed right-hand point break in the Gulf of Panama, surfing best with south to southwest swell and offshore north/north-northeast winds. When it lines up, the wave profile is described as fast and peeling, with heavy takeoffs and heaving tubes that can transition into a long, walling right. Conditions are consistently rated as excellent when the wind is offshore.
- Long, peeling right-hand point break over reef
- Offshore north to northeast winds help keep faces clean
- Rarely crowded
- Right-hand point break with very long, powerful peeling waves.
- Clean offshore north to northeast winds when conditions align.
- Rarely crowded due to remote access.
- Exposed reef/rock hazards and sharp rocks.
- Strong currents and extreme isolation; no confirmed rescue or lifeguards.
- Access is difficult (requires 4x4 and a short walk or boat approach).
- Minimal on-spot infrastructure (supplies must be brought).
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — North to northeast trade winds that tend to blow offshore for this right-hand point break when it’s working.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- March
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Reef/rocky shoreline.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Working range cited up to about 1.5–4.0 meters; can hold larger southern swells.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline; commonly accessed by boat.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Often requires boat access; overland approach is described as extremely difficult.
Through the year
Rarely crowded year-round due to remote location and difficult access.
June–August (mini surf season with frequent rain).
By sport
What to expect for each.
A powerful, long right-hand point break over reef that can hold size on proper southern swells; best known for fast, peeling sections after heavy takeoffs.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSW, SW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Sources emphasize low and medium/‘mid’ tides for the best setup.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point break with limited shelter from cross-shore breezes.
- Wind Effect
- Works best with north or northeast winds (offshore). Cross-shore winds can create surface chop and reduce the clean face.
- Bigger Swell
- Maintains shape and power well into the double-overhead range.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Highly regarded for consistency and clean faces when winds are offshore.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Heavy takeoffs and heaving tubes that peel into a long, powerful right.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Long
- Typical Ride Length
- 200 m
- Ride Length Details
- Up to ~80 yards is cited for the classic peeling wave; on larger southern swells it can produce walling rides that can exceed 200 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Corto Circuito (Tonosí) in the full forecast view.
Corto Circuito (Tonosí) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–6 ktsGusts 14 kts
- Direction
- SSE154°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 296 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–1.5 m12s period
- Temperature
- 25–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Corto Circuito (Tonosí) is forecast for daytime winds of 1–6 kts, peaking around 6 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 14 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 1.0–1.5 m with a period of about 12s. 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
- Sharp rocks
- Submerged rocks and rocky shelves
- Strong currents
- Extreme isolation
- Remote location with no medical facilities
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated water-sports rescue service confirmed; riders should be self-sufficient.
- Emergency Info
- In emergencies, the national number is 911; nearest basic medical services are in Tonosí (significant distance away).
Rules of the spot
This spot is exposed and extremely remote—plan conservatively and be fully self-sufficient.
- Best accessed by boat from Cambutal; overland access is extremely difficult and often requires 4x4 trails.
- Bring a reliable communication device as there is limited signal.
- Bring plenty of water and sun protection since there is no shade.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Santiago
- Nearest Town
- Cambutal
- Parking
- No formal parking; boat launch points in Cambutal are used.
- Access
- Access involves navigating a dirt road suitable for 4x4 vehicles, then a short 5–15 minute walk. It is also described as extremely difficult overland, with primary access by boat from Cambutal and surrounding areas.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Surf camps and small lodges are located in Cambutal.
- Food & Drink
- None at the spot; supplies must be brought from Cambutal.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at surf lodges in Cambutal, but not at the break itself.
- Gear Storage
- Storage is typically only available as part of stay-and-play packages at local surf resorts.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repair kits may be available in Cambutal.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A rugged, nature-focused coastal area near Tonosí where remote surf conditions and seasonal wildlife tourism are common attractions.
Wildlife refuge famous for major sea turtle nesting on the Pacific coast.
Remote national park with rugged hiking trails and high biodiversity; protects the last primary rainforest on the Azuero Peninsula.
Seasonal boat tours to see humpback whales migrating through the Pacific waters.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Corto Circuito (Tonosí)?
The best overall months at Corto Circuito (Tonosí) are January, February, March, December, April. The best wind months are March.
Which wind directions work at Corto Circuito (Tonosí)?
Corto Circuito (Tonosí) works with N, NNE winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE.
What skill level is Corto Circuito (Tonosí) suitable for?
Corto Circuito (Tonosí) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.