La Esmeralda (Guaricuco)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Advanced to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
La Esmeralda (Sucre) is an exposed beach break in the Guaricuco area known for reliable surf, particularly when the northeast swell is present. The wave setup is generally described as peeling, with moderate wave power, and it tends to work across tides (all-tides). Wind-wise, the spot is best when winds are from the south, which acts as offshore wind and produces the cleanest wave faces. Based on the wind statistics provided, conditions are often windy overall (high blown percentage), but “clean” conditions are comparatively rarer, so choosing days that groom the wave is important. Safety is a key consideration. Reported hazards include sharks, and rip currents are also possible due to the exposed beach configuration. The spot has no dedicated on-water rescue presence, so riders should rely on preparation and local support, and be conservative in conditions that reduce visibility or increase current strength. Seasonally, surf conditions are most consistent around the late-year to early-year period (November through March), with another source highlighting August as a peak month for consistency. The region’s broader climate features a rainy season roughly from June to November, which can bring squalls and less consistent conditions.
- Exposed beach-break surf with reliable performance
- Northeast swell preference
- South winds provide the cleanest (offshore) conditions
- Low-profile, remote vibe with limited services
- Reliable exposed beach-break surf when conditions align.
- Works best with northeast swell and south (offshore) wind for cleaner wave faces.
- Typically quiet and uncrowded year-round due to remoteness.
- Exposed conditions can make the water less forgiving.
- Shark hazards are reported.
- Rip currents are possible.
- Limited rescue availability and limited facilities due to the remote setting.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S
- Offshore directions
- S
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds are the dominant wind driver in the region.
- Reliability
- 84% blown
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Noisy wind is typically not highlighted; blown/clean stats suggest frequent wind rather than peakiness.
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February, March
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Some providers also describe medium waves; overall categorization varies by day/season.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Water type is described as chop.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach area.
Through the year
Generally quiet and uncrowded year-round due to remote location.
June to November.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed beach break with reliable surf; wave quality is generally better when winds groom the face.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NNE
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore wind from the south provides the cleanest conditions for surfing.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells due to beach-break configuration.
- Wave Quality
- Average — One source describes wave quality as good; another describes it as average.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for La Esmeralda (Guaricuco) in the full forecast view.
La Esmeralda (Guaricuco) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–13 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- ENE72°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2413 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–0.3 m6s period
- Temperature
- 26–33 °C
Over the next 7 days, La Esmeralda (Guaricuco) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.2–0.3 m with a period of about 6s. 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
- Sharks
- Rip currents
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated on-water rescue services; assistance typically relies on local networks and general maritime oversight.
- Emergency Info
- National emergency number is 911 (or 171 in some regions); nearest major medical facility is the Hospital General de Carúpano.
Rules of the spot
- Do not enter the water if you cannot swim confidently through potential rip currents.
- Bring all necessary supplies and water due to the spot’s remoteness.
- South winds are typically the best for grooming the waves.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Guaricuco
- Nearest Town
- Guaricuco
- Nearest Airport
- General José Francisco Bermúdez Airport (CUP) in Carúpano
- Parking
- Limited informal parking near beach access points.
- Public Transport
- Limited to local buses and shared taxis (carritos por puesto)
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Eco-posadas and small guest houses in Río Caribe or near Guaricuco; more options in Rio Caribe.
- Food & Drink
- Local kiosks may be available seasonally; self-sufficiency is recommended.
- Equipment Rental:
- Dedicated rental shops are not common on-site; equipment rental is generally limited.
- Gear Storage
- Typically provided by local posadas that cater to wind sports enthusiasts (where available).
- Gear Repair
- No professional gear repair facilities nearby; basic repairs are usually handled by the rider or through local contacts.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A quiet, non-commercial coastal area with nature and local cultural experiences centered on the Sucre coastline.
Palm-fringed cove with turquoise waters, widely considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Venezuela.
Mountainous rainforests that drop directly into the Caribbean Sea—ideal for hiking.
Local eateries known for fresh seafood and traditional Venezuelan dishes.
Tours visiting traditional fishing communities along the Sucre coast.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at La Esmeralda (Guaricuco)?
The best overall months at La Esmeralda (Guaricuco) are August, November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at La Esmeralda (Guaricuco)?
La Esmeralda (Guaricuco) works with S winds. Offshore directions are S.
What skill level is La Esmeralda (Guaricuco) suitable for?
La Esmeralda (Guaricuco) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.