La Bellaca (Manta)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
La Bellaca is an exposed point break near Manta, recognized for long, fast waves—especially when it lines up with the right swell and low-tide timing. On the best days, rides can extend to around 300 meters and the wave can develop powerful, barreling sections for intermediate surfers. Wave performance is tide- and swell-dependent. Low tide is consistently emphasized as the key condition, and the spot is typically best with southwest swell. While reports describe excellent-to-powerful quality on good setups, other observations note the wave can be inconsistent, so arriving with realistic expectations for variability is important. Safety planning is central here: the shoreline and point area are rocky, with submerged rocks near the takeoff zone. Hazards noted include rocks, sea urchins, strong currents (especially as swell builds), and rocks plus reported shark presence. The access route is also isolated and services are limited, so plan logistics carefully and keep extra time for entry and especially for the return after your session. Wind can help or hurt depending on timing. Southeast/east winds can support cleaner/offshore conditions for surfing, but afternoon thermal sea-breeze patterns can increase onshore tendencies and reduce consistency. Early mornings are often the safer bet for avoiding the afternoon shift, particularly if you want more predictable conditions.
- Long, fast rides on good southwest-swell/low-tide days
- Possible barrels/tubular sections
- Rocky hazards and isolated access make planning essential
- Known for long, fast rides on the best southwest swell days.
- Barreling/tubular sections are possible on good sessions.
- Often has clean conditions when wind angles are favorable and offshore patterns hold.
- Exposed point setup can be unreliable depending on swell/timing.
- Access is tide-critical and the area is isolated.
- Hazards include rocks and reported shark presence; strong currents possible on larger swell.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- ESE, SE
- Offshore directions
- SE
- Wind Range
- 5–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds with an additional thermal strengthening effect developing from midday into afternoon.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Sources also describe generally unreliable wind conditions at this spot.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Some protection from southerly winds from the point shape.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocks with some mixed areas.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small to medium overall wave sizes depending on swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky shoreline with some sandy patches.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Access and launch/entry are moderately difficult due to rockiness and tide restrictions.
Through the year
Quieter on weekdays; busier on weekends and holidays with locals from Manta.
January to April
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed point break known for long, fast waves when the swell and tide are right; works best around low tide with southwest swell.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is repeatedly emphasized as the best tide for access and wave setup.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open, exposed coastline at a point with limited protection from prevailing conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Southeast winds and the east/southeast wind window can provide cleaner offshore conditions, while afternoon sea-breeze tendencies can turn conditions onshore and make it less consistent.
- Bigger Swell
- When the swell is stronger (including north swell events referenced), it can fire up with 2–3 m waves and barreling long rides; currents can make bigger setups harder to manage.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Wave quality ranges from good to excellent depending on swell and timing.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Can be powerful on the right swell days.
- Wave Shape
- Barreling — On good days it produces tubular/barreling sections.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Described as fast, with wrap-around walls on the best swell/wind setups.
- Ride Length
- Long — Long rides reported, with 300 m cited on good days; another source gives 100–200 m typical when it’s working.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Up to about 300 meters on good days; can also offer long, peeling walls that wrap around the point.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for La Bellaca (Manta) in the full forecast view.
La Bellaca (Manta) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–10 ktsGusts 15 kts
- Direction
- WNW287°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 2310 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–0.7 m9s period
- Temperature
- 25–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, La Bellaca (Manta) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 15 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.4–0.7 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 point and shoreline
- Sharks
- Sea urchins
- Strong currents during large swells
- Moderate rip currents possible near the point
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards specifically reported for the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional maritime rescue is limited; emergency medical access is in Manta.
- Emergency Info
- Area is isolated with limited rescue availability; nearest medical facilities are in Manta. Use caution and keep safety buffer time for return logistics.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Well-known locally, with quieter conditions on weekdays and more activity on weekends/holidays.
Rules of the spot
Only access and plan entry/exit around low tide; avoid attempting to reach the beach at high tide. Coordinate timing carefully because the access area is isolated and services are limited.
- Only accessible at low tide; high tide blocks entrance.
- Walk carefully at low tide to access the beach.
- Watch the rocks at low tide as they become more exposed.
- Early mornings are best to avoid afternoon onshore wind tendencies.
- Coordinate taxi pick-up time carefully due to isolated access.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Manta
- Nearest Town
- San Mateo
- Nearest Airport
- Eloy Alfaro International Airport (MEC)
- Parking
- Limited parking; taxi access required for the remote entry.
- Public Transport
- Well served by local taxis and buses (plus ride-sharing within city limits).
- Access
- 3 km south of Bahia de Cará¿¿quez, accessible by walking at low tide or by taxi on a poorly maintained road; can also walk down the beach from Bahia during low tide.
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels and guest houses in Manta and San Mateo.
- Food & Drink
- Local restaurants available in nearby San Mateo.
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 La Bellaca (Manta)?
The best overall months at La Bellaca (Manta) are December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at La Bellaca (Manta)?
La Bellaca (Manta) works with ESE, SE winds. Offshore directions are SE.
What skill level is La Bellaca (Manta) suitable for?
La Bellaca (Manta) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.