La Bellaca (Manta)

Surfing
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboard
What's great
  • 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.
Heads up
  • 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.
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
21–27 °C
Water Temperature
23–31 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 2mm shorty (or rashguard)
Crowds by Season

Quieter on weekdays; busier on weekends and holidays with locals from Manta.

Storm/Rain Season

January to April

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed point break known for long, fast waves when the swell and tide are right; works best around low tide with southwest swell.

Point break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestBoots

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.

Restrictions
  • Only accessible at low tide; high tide blocks entrance.
Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.