Cumboto (Catia La Mar)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Cumboto is an exposed reef break near Catia La Mar, known for consistent surf in the Caracas area. The break is described as a reef/rocky bottom with significant hazards, including rocks and sharks, and conditions can change quickly depending on tide and swell. Surf is most often described as working with Northeast swell energy. Reports emphasize that the best results come when a Northeast/North‑east swell combines with offshore Southwest winds, producing cleaner waves for takeoff and a more rideable face. One description also notes a left-breaking wave character, while another notes both left and right behavior. Wind reliability is described as mixed: in the forecast data, the best month frame shows a high percentage of blown days compared with clean days, so riders should expect variability and be selective with conditions. Typical wind speeds reported for the spot are around 10–18 knots, with light gustiness. For safety and comfort, plan for sharp rocks and reef during entry (especially around low tide) and wear appropriate footwear; early sessions are also recommended before the sea-breeze/thermal phase becomes more onshore later in the day. Even if waves occur, the spot is described as rarely crowded, which pairs well with its local/priority culture—so respect the local peak priority when you arrive.
- Exposed reef break with consistent surf
- Best described with Northeast swells plus offshore Southwest winds
- Often short, fast rides over a rocky reef bottom
- Exposed reef break with consistent surf.
- Offshore Southwest winds can improve conditions.
- Best pairing described as Northeast swells with offshore Southwest winds.
- Reef/rocky bottom makes entries and falls riskier.
- Hazards include rocks and sharks.
- Not consistently clean wind; often described as blown compared with clean.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW
- Offshore directions
- SW
- Wind Range
- 10–18 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Southwest winds are reported as best for offshore surf conditions in the Caracas area.
- Reliability
- medium; 83% blown and 11% clean reported for the best month window in this spot’s forecast data
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Wind gustiness described as light.
- Best Months
- September
- Thermal Window
- Other · Catia La Mar Coast region typically has a strong afternoon/late-day thermal wind contribution (trade winds reinforced by thermal effects). Spot-level directionality for the thermal boost is not explicitly quantified for this exact launch.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Mixed — Reef and mixed shoreline described; also reef composition noted.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium surf conditions reported by one provider; surfing can range with swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky shoreline with some sandy patches near access points.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Rocky shoreline with obstacles; entry described as requiring care.
Through the year
Higher on weekends and public holidays due to proximity to Caracas.
June to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break over rocky/reef bottom with short, fast rides; can include both left and right waves, with best-described swell pairing from the Northeast.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NE, NNE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is reported as optimal.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open/exposed reef environment; little protection from swell/wind.
- Wind Effect
- Southwest winds provide clean, offshore conditions; offshore best aligns with Southwest winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and close out on massive North swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Quality described as good/average depending on source; overall consistency is emphasized.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Often described as consistent; can become heavy on large North swells.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Reported as mixed, with both left and right-hand behavior mentioned.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Fast, short rides over a rocky bottom.
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, short rides over a rocky bottom; one description notes a left-breaking wave.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cumboto (Catia La Mar) in the full forecast view.
Cumboto (Catia La Mar) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- NE55°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 299 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.0 m7s period
- Temperature
- 26–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cumboto (Catia La Mar) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.6–1.0 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- sharks
- sharp rocks
- reef
- urban pollution/runoff
- crowds
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No formal government-run rescue service; assistance may be limited/private.
- Emergency Info
- Hospitals are available in Catia La Mar and nearby Maiquetía.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate local culture; commonly framed as a local favorite near Caracas.
Rules of the spot
Respect local peak priority.
- Best described conditions align with an offshore Southwest wind with a Northeast swell.
- Wear booties if you are not comfortable walking on sharp volcanic rock and reef.
- Arrive early in the morning before an onshore sea-breeze/thermal phase kicks in.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Catia La Mar
- Nearest Town
- Catia La Mar
- Parking
- Limited street parking available nearby.
- Access
- Beaches west of Caracas airport beginning with Catia La Mar; access details not specified in sources.
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Hotels and guesthouses are available in Catia La Mar and Playa Grande.
- Food & Drink
- Local kiosks and restaurants within walking distance in the urban area.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated rental shops directly at the reef; bring your own gear for surfing.
- Gear Storage
- Private gear storage mainly available through members of local beach clubs and specific wind sports schools.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs may be handled by local riders/repair specialists; no dedicated repair shop directly at the reef reported.
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 Cumboto (Catia La Mar)?
The best overall months at Cumboto (Catia La Mar) are November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are September.
Which wind directions work at Cumboto (Catia La Mar)?
Cumboto (Catia La Mar) works with SW winds. Offshore directions are SW.
What skill level is Cumboto (Catia La Mar) suitable for?
Cumboto (Catia La Mar) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.