Los Cocos (Caraballeda)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Medium waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Los Cocos (Caraballeda) is an exposed beach/jetty surfing spot near Caracas, known for reasonably consistent waves over a sandy bottom. Sessions commonly feature right-hand waves off the rock jetty as well as additional peaks along the sandy beach, with providers describing it as working across most tide conditions (with some variation on what is “optimal”). For conditions, south winds are identified as the best direction for surfing, with offshore effects generally improving wave face cleanliness. The spot’s surf is described as powerful at times, and wave character is commonly reported as either mixed or peeling depending on swell and sandbar configuration. In terms of swell, one provider highlights southwest swell as optimal (with larger sets possibly pushing toward closeouts), while another notes better results with northwest/north swells and around a 1–2.5 m working range. Safety is strongly dominated by water quality and crowding considerations. Pollution/sewage runoff concerns are explicitly cited, and locals commonly advise avoiding sessions immediately after heavy rainfall when water quality can worsen. Crowd levels are also noted as busy—especially on weekends—so beginners should plan for higher competition around the main peak and be cautious near jetty-related currents. Access is convenient from the Caracas/La Guaira area and is described as public with an easy entry. Amenities are available nearby (including toilets and food/drink), and the spot is associated with local surf instruction and rentals through surf schools. Emergency support is noted via nearby hospitals in the La Guaira/Caraballeda area and the regional emergency number (911), with no lifeguards reported at the water.
- Exposed beach/jetty break with consistent right and left waves.
- South winds are described as best/offshore for wave face grooming.
- Water pollution concerns and weekend crowding are key factors to manage.
- Exposed beach/jetty break with generally consistent surf and beginner-friendly conditions reported.
- Easy beach entry/launch and straightforward access from the Caraballeda/La Guaira area.
- South winds are described as best/offshore for shaping waves.
- Water pollution concerns (including sewage runoff) are a primary hazard to manage.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S
- Offshore directions
- S
- No-go directions
- S
- Wind Range
- 8–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — South winds are identified as best; regional wind is typically driven by trade/thermal effects (afternoon sea-breeze/thermal-gradient assistance).
- Reliability
- regular (100 days/year) for the spot-level wind window; overall described as moderate for surfing depending on needing light offshore conditions.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Reported as light-gusts (generally not described as a highly gusty spot).
- Best Months
- September, December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- Jetty/launch area provides some protection from lateral wind and currents.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Reported as small to medium depending on conditions and swell.
- Launch
- Small — Beach entry alongside/near the jetty.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy beach entry / accessible launch.
Through the year
Weekend: crowded; Week: few surfers.
June through October (rainy season), when pollution risk can increase after heavy rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach/jetty break with consistent right and left waves over a sandy bottom. A right-hand wave peels off the rock jetty, with multiple peaks across the sandy beach; commonly works at all/most tides per providers.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW, N, NNE, NW, NNW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides, Mid — Providers differ: one says works at all tides; another says optimal on mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Jetty gives some localized shelter but the break is broadly exposed to swell/wind.
- Wind Effect
- South winds are generally offshore and groom wave faces; north winds are onshore and can make the wave choppier (wind effect described in provider notes).
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells, but may start to close out when the height exceeds about 2.5 meters (provider note).
- Wave Quality
- Average — Some sources describe reasonably consistent surf; wave quality is described as average at times depending on swell/conditions.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Spot-level describes powerful surf at times; another provider describes moderate power depending on conditions.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — One provider reports mixed; another describes peeling waves.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Spot-level: short rides typically <50m normal; 50–150m on a good day.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides are reported as <50m normal and 50–150m on a good day; another provider reports rides between 50–100m depending on swell energy and sandbar configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Los Cocos (Caraballeda) in the full forecast view.
Los Cocos (Caraballeda) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- ENE62°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 298 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.1 m7s period
- Temperature
- 26–33 °C
Over the next 7 days, Los Cocos (Caraballeda) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.6–1.1 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- pollution
- sewage runoff
- strong currents during high swell
- rocks near the jetty
- crowded conditions
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated spot rescue service mentioned; regional rescue is described as limited with emergency support relying on civil protection and local assistance near La Guaira.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facility noted as Hospital José María Vargas (La Guaira); emergency number 911 (regionally).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Spot-level localism described as none; another provider describes mild localism at the main peak.
Rules of the spot
Public access; follow standard surfing etiquette at the main peak near the jetty. Avoid very crowded peaks when water is busy; check water conditions locally because the jetty/sandbars can change.
- Avoid surfing immediately after heavy rainfall due to increased pollution levels.
- Arrive early on weekends to beat heavy crowds.
- The best waves are commonly right-handers off the jetty; consider that crowding is typically higher near the main peak.
- Check the water conditions locally because the jetty can change the sandbars frequently.
- Be cautious with currents for beginners.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Caracas
- Nearest Town
- La Guaira / Caraballeda
- Nearest Airport
- Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS) / Simón Bolívar International Airport (MAR), Caracas
- Parking
- Street parking is available nearby, though it can be limited during peak weekends.
- Public Transport
- local buses and minibuses connect the coast to the Maiquetía area and Caracas; taxis/private transport are recommended for travelers with gear
- Access
- Short walk (5-15 min) from Sheraton hotel, Caraballeda. Public access.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels and guest houses in Caraballeda and the surrounding Vargas coast; Sheraton hotel is referenced as being in front of the spot.
- Food & Drink
- Bars and restaurants nearby; numerous kiosks/restaurants/cafes along the beachfront and in Caraballeda.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental described as available via local surf schools on/near the beach; specialized kite/windsurf gear is described as limited locally.
- Gear Storage
- Limited gear storage at local surf schools; many visitors store gear at accommodation (regionally).
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repairs are described as available via local shapers and surf shops (regionally).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Caraballeda and the nearby La Guaira area offer a mix of coastal leisure and nearby viewpoints/trails in the mountains, with Spanish as the dominant local language.
Small mountain village known for its flowers and restaurants, accessible via 4x4 from the coast or cable car from Caracas.
Colonial heart of the region with restored buildings and historical fortresses overlooking the harbor.
Trail networks through the national park with panoramic views of the Caribbean and Caracas.
Hub area for local seafood restaurants and bars popular with locals and visitors from Caracas.
Nearby beach stretch with calmer waters and services, suitable for families and sunbathing.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Los Cocos (Caraballeda)?
The best overall months at Los Cocos (Caraballeda) are January, February, March, September, November, December. The best wind months are September, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Los Cocos (Caraballeda)?
Los Cocos (Caraballeda) works with S winds. Offshore directions are S. No-go directions are S.
What skill level is Los Cocos (Caraballeda) suitable for?
Los Cocos (Caraballeda) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.