Las Tunas (Puerto López)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Las Tunas is an exposed beach and reef break near Puerto López, described as having quite consistent surf with both left and right waves. It’s a good fit for intermediate surfers looking for a quieter alternative to more well-known nearby beaches, but conditions require attention due to hazards. The main safety concerns are scattered rocks and rip currents. Multiple sources emphasize checking for submerged rocks (especially at low tide) and being cautious when waves get larger, particularly close to shore. Because formal rescue is described as unavailable at the beach, it’s important to rely on good judgment, partner/safety planning, and to avoid overextending in rougher conditions. Wave quality is generally rated good to average, with surf often described as manageable and peeling when timing aligns. Sources also note that sessions are typically best in the mornings, when winds are lighter and the surface can be glassier; later in the day, sea-breeze effects can bring onshore wind and chop the water. Best surfing conditions are associated with a southwest/west-to-southwest swell direction and a working swell height roughly around 1–3 meters, with optimal tide reported as either mid-tide or across all tides depending on the swell and local section. The spot is generally quiet year-round, with the surf guide indicating March as the best month (and year-round consistency overall).
- Quiet, uncrowded surf atmosphere
- Consistent exposed beach/reef waves
- Morning sessions often cleaner before afternoon chop
- Exposed beach/reef break with consistently usable surf for intermediate surfers.
- Generally low crowd levels for sessions.
- Morning conditions are often cleaner before sea-breeze effects build.
- Rocks and rip currents present.
- Afternoon winds can increase and make the surface choppier.
- Formal rescue is not available at the beach.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- ESE, SSE, SW
- Offshore directions
- ESE, SW
- Wind Range
- 8–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze/gradient pattern associated with the south/southwest trade-wind influence on the Puerto López coast.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Generally light gusting reported for this spot.
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Dir: S, SW · Afternoon thermal breeze builds reliably on the coast; best sessions are typically in the late morning through afternoon, but wind can increase/chop later in the day depending on conditions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with rocky/reef sections affecting the break.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Sources describe small to medium surf depending on conditions.
- Launch
- Small — Open beach with easy access for setting up gear; wide sandy area described as providing space for preparation.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
Through the year
Generally quiet year-round; small increases during Ecuadorian holidays and weekends.
January to April
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach/reef break with both left and right waves; intermediate surfers typically find it most enjoyable, with rocks and rip currents to manage.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — One source specifies mid-tide; another indicates it can work across all tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open beach exposure; occasional reef sections can add character but do not significantly shield from conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the east-northeast can be favorable; mornings are often glassy/light offshore, while afternoons can turn onshore due to sea-breeze and create chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on the sandbars/reef sections during very large swells and may become more shorebreaky at times.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported as good/average depending on swell and wind; morning sessions tend to be cleaner.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Consistent, generally manageable surf; can become less user-friendly when swell/tide conditions push it.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Medium-length rides when conditions are favorable; waves can close out when the swell is too large or tide is too low.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves are often fun and manageable, but can close out on sandbars/sections when conditions get too large or when the tide drops too low.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Las Tunas (Puerto López) in the full forecast view.
Las Tunas (Puerto López) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–7 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- W279°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 247 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–1.7 m11s period
- Temperature
- 25–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Las Tunas (Puerto López) is forecast for daytime winds of 1–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 1.0–1.7 m with a period of about 11s. 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
- Rip currents
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level sources describe no rescue support at the beach.
- Emergency Info
- Rescue is described as no/formal rescue unavailable at this spot; in a regional emergency, local services are reachable via 911 and medical care is based in Puerto López with further transport required for major emergencies.
Rules of the spot
Avoid going out when you see or expect rip currents near rocks; check conditions at the start of the session and reduce time close to the shore on larger days.
- Check for submerged rocks at low tide before heading out.
- Mornings are typically best for cleaner surf conditions before afternoon sea-breeze wind picks up.
- Watch for rips near rocks; be cautious with larger waves close to shore.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Puerto López
- Nearest Town
- Puerto López
- Nearest Airport
- Eloy Alfaro International Airport (MEC) - Manta
- Parking
- Street parking available near beach access points.
- Public Transport
- Public transport is described as limited overall; access is often via taxis/private vehicles, with inter-provincial buses via the Ruta del Spondylus.
- Access
- Short drive south of Puerto López, approximately 20–30 minutes by road. Also described as easily accessible via the E15 highway (Ruta del Spondylus).
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Several small eco-hostels and guesthouses located directly in Las Tunas; additional surf hostels are also available nearby.
- Food & Drink
- Local seafood restaurants and restaurants along the main road.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited surf rentals available; more options are found in nearby areas.
- Gear Storage
- Limited to specific surf-focused accommodations and private residences.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard dings can be repaired locally in the area.
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 Tunas (Puerto López)?
The best overall months at Las Tunas (Puerto López) are December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Las Tunas (Puerto López)?
Las Tunas (Puerto López) works with ESE, SSE, SW winds. Offshore directions are ESE, SW.
What skill level is Las Tunas (Puerto López) suitable for?
Las Tunas (Puerto López) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.