Pedasí
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Pedasí is a Pacific-coast kitesurfing spot with clean, choppy water and small waves, most often ridden during the dry season. Winds are predominantly the N/NE alisios trade winds, typically running around 15–25 knots nearly every day from January through March, with a slightly broader window into April reported by local sources. The main riding/launch area is described as a wide sandy beach at Playa El Arenal, though the available space varies significantly with the tide. Conditions are side-onshore with chop, and the water can be deep immediately after the shore break—so strong board recovery skills matter. Boat traffic is an identified hazard, and strong currents can appear, especially if you cross toward Isla Iguana. Safety guidance is to talk to a local before entering the water and to respect designated boat launch channels used by fishermen and tour operators. Formal rescue availability is described as limited, and lifeguards are reported as seasonal, so practical risk management is important. Some sources also note that kitesurfing access may depend on local permits or kite-organization membership. For season planning, no wetsuit is generally needed because water temperatures are reported above 27°C; a lycra or thin neoprene top may be enough for sun/wind comfort. Overall, Pedasí is positioned as a reliable, low-profile wind destination in Panama’s Azuero region, with the strongest wind consistency in January–March.
- Almost-daily 15–25 knot winds in January–March
- Clean chop with small waves
- Wide sandy launch area at Playa El Arenal (space varies with tide)
- Deep water just after the shore break
- Consistent trade-wind season in January–March (about 15–25 knots almost every day)
- Clean water
- Large sandy launch area (tide-dependent space)
- Food and parking available nearby/on site
- Choppy water
- Boat traffic on the launch area
- Strong currents possible (notably on longer crossings)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Alisios trade winds (N/NE) dominate in the dry season.
- Reliability
- high during the dry season (often blowing about 90% of days, December–April)
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Small to medium waves reported across sources.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach at Playa El Arenal; space varies with tide.
Through the year
Moderate during the dry season; quiet/low-profile for the rest of the year.
May to November
By sport
What to expect for each.
Choppy water with small to medium waves; winds blow almost daily in the best season (January–March) around 15–25 knots. The main launch at Playa El Arenal provides side-onshore conditions with chop and small waves.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Deep water and consistent winds can suit wingfoiling, but chop at Playa El Arenal can be challenging for beginners.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Pedasí in the full forecast view.
Pedasí wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- N10°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2911 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–0.7 m10s period
- Temperature
- 25–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Pedasí is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is N. Waves run 0.5–0.7 m with a period of about 10s. 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
- Boat traffic
- Strong currents (especially when crossing toward Isla Iguana)
- Offshore wind if it shifts west
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue/lifeguards reported present in-season, but formal rescue appears limited.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest clinic is located in Pedasí town center.
Rules of the spot
No particular rules reported; talk to a local before going on the water. Respect designated boat launch channels used by local fisherman and tour operators.
- May require special permit or membership from a local kite organization.
- Talk to a local before you go on the water.
- Check whether kitesurfing is allowed—may require special permit or local kite organization membership.
- The water is deep immediately after the shore break, so good board recovery skills are essential.
- Respect designated boat launch channels used by local fisherman and tour operators.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Las Tablas
- Nearest Town
- Pedasí
- Nearest Airport
- Tocumen International Airport (PTY) (~235 km); also Scarlett Martínez International Airport (RIH) (~120 km)
- Parking
- Parking is available at the spot area / Playa El Arenal.
- Access
- 4-hour drive from Panama City
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous boutique hotels and hostels in Pedasí town.
- Food & Drink
- Food is available on the spot; also local beach bars and restaurants in Pedasí town.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental gear is available through the local kite center; specialized kite/foil gear is described as limited/seasonal.
- Gear Storage
- Storage available via local kite school; otherwise limited.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs can be handled locally.
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 Pedasí?
The best overall months at Pedasí are January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Pedasí?
Pedasí works with N, NE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Pedasí?
Recommended equipment sizes at Pedasí: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Pedasí suitable for?
Pedasí suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.