Las Salinas 1 (Pampatar)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Flat
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Las Salinas 1 (Pampatar) is a beach-and-reef surfing spot with a consistent right-hand wave profile that is primarily set up by North and Northeast swell. The break is described as exposed, and the wave can be sensitive to trade-wind conditions—so timing and wind direction matter. On the surf side, the wave is generally rated as producing average quality, with a moderate wave power and a mixed wave shape. Typical sessions are for short, punchy rides over shifting sand and rock/reef areas, which means careful navigation of the rocky sections is important. Seasonally, September is highlighted as the best month for Las Salinas 1, with autumn conditions (September through November) also noted for improved consistency/cleaner setups. The spot is further advised to be surfed early in the morning before the trade winds build and start to blow out the waves. Safety is a key consideration: rocks and submerged reef sections are present near the launch/break area, and sharks are also reported as hazards. There is no lifeguard presence listed for the spot, and rescue availability is generally described as limited in the broader area—so you should plan conservatively around local conditions and hazards.
- Right-hand break on North/Northeast swell
- September is the standout month for cleaner conditions
- Rock/reef hazards require extra caution
- Right-hand break with consistent surf described for the Pampatar area.
- Works on North/Northeast swells and is best when conditions are cleaner (notably September).
- Clear guidance that it’s a beach-and-reef setup, so you can choose line and timing with more caution.
- Often wind-affected due to Northeast trade winds, which can blow out the waves.
- Rocky/reef sections and submerged hazards (including sharks) make the launch and lineup higher risk.
- Can get messy on larger swell, with paddle-out difficulty reported when swell exceeds 2 meters.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E
- Wind Range
- 12–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — North-East trade winds (Alisios), primary driver with afternoon reinforcement.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- September, October, November
- Thermal Window
- Other · Afternoon · Thermal reinforcement during the hottest parts of the day while trade winds remain the primary driver.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with reef/rock sections influencing the break.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small wave size reported.
- Launch
- Medium — Beach launch with rocky sections nearby.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty.
Through the year
Can be crowded with locals on weekends.
Rainy season typically runs from June to October (spot-specific note); regional baseline notes rainy season often occurs from October to December.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Consistent but often wind-affected right-hand break; combines beach and reef sections and requires caution near rocky/reef areas.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Highly sensitive to Northeast trade winds which often blow out the conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become messy and difficult to paddle out when swell exceeds 2 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Short, punchy rides over a sand and rock bottom.
- Ride Length Details
- Short, punchy rides over a sand and rock bottom.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Las Salinas 1 (Pampatar) in the full forecast view.
Las Salinas 1 (Pampatar) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–12 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- E81°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2412 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.1 m5s period
- Temperature
- 27–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Las Salinas 1 (Pampatar) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.7–1.1 m with a period of about 5s. 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
- Submerged reef
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No formal government-run kite rescue services; safety is generally managed by local schools or through peer support.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services can be reached via 911; the nearest major medical facility is Hospital Central Dr. Luis Ortega in neighboring Porlamar.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
- Best to surf early in the morning before the trade winds pick up and blow out the waves.
- September is often the best month for cleaner conditions.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Pampatar
- Nearest Town
- Pampatar
- Parking
- Limited parking available near the beach access
- Access
- Accessible by road from Pampatar
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Pampatar offers boutique hotels and luxury apartments as well as budget-friendly posadas.
- Food & Drink
- Local kiosks and restaurants in Pampatar town
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available through several mobile schools and local shops in the Pampatar and Porlamar areas.
- Gear Storage
- Limited dedicated gear storage available outside of specific kite-friendly accommodations.
- Gear Repair
- Basic gear repair services are available through local kite community contacts.
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 Las Salinas 1 (Pampatar)?
The best overall months at Las Salinas 1 (Pampatar) are September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Las Salinas 1 (Pampatar)?
Las Salinas 1 (Pampatar) works with NE, E winds.
What skill level is Las Salinas 1 (Pampatar) suitable for?
Las Salinas 1 (Pampatar) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.