Playa Grande 3 (Punta del Diablo)
- Shortboard, Families
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Playa Grande 3 is an exposed sandy beach break near Punta del Diablo that’s often described as a roomier, more spacious alternative to the village beaches. Surf is generally consistent, with waves breaking left and right, and the setup is commonly best on low tide. Conditions depend on wind and swell direction. The spot is noted to work well with south swell (and related south-to-southeast swell angles), while north / north-northeast winds are described as the cleanest or most favorable—effectively pushing wind offshore and helping the surface. One dataset also highlights a typical working swell-height window and that the ride is usually short, with sandbar timing affecting where the better peaks form. Safety is a major consideration: rips and strong undertow are repeatedly flagged as the key hazard here. Even when conditions look good, surfers are advised to be cautious around rip channels and plan around the low-tide window rather than assuming the break is uniformly safe. Seasonally, autumn and winter are commonly favored, with another dataset emphasizing January–March as especially consistent months. Crowd levels are described as rarely crowded at this specific peak, which aligns with the idea of it being accessed via a longer walk/park approach. Bring appropriate shore safety essentials and the right wetsuit for the season, since the water can be cool to mild outside summer.
- Roomier bay-side beach break feel
- Low tide commonly best
- Offshore north-northeast/northerly winds improve surf quality
- Rarely crowded at this specific peak
- Roomier beach-break option along Playa Grande, often less crowded.
- Works best on south swell with a low-tide setup.
- Offshore north-northeast/northerly winds can improve conditions.
- Rip currents/undertow risk makes surfing potentially dangerous.
- This peak has no on-site rescue/lifeguards listed.
- Wave and quality details vary between datasets (rip setup and sandbar timing can matter).
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NNE, N
- Offshore directions
- NNE, N
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Dominant north/north-northeast wind; also described as a frontal/ongoing Atlantic wind influence in some sources.
- Reliability
- 34% monthly blown
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Also described as moderate gusting in another dataset.
- Best Months
- January, February, March
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small
- Launch
- Medium — Open beach with gentle slope / wide sandy beach with ample space.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
Through the year
Rarely crowded year-round.
Winter months (June to August) can see frequent southern storms; S/SW Pampero storms can cause sudden cooling and stronger winds.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach break along the long Playa Grande stretch, known for consistent surf on south swell with a low-tide setup. Waves can break both left and right; ride windows are relatively short and can depend on sandbar timing.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Works best offshore with north-northeast/northerly winds; otherwise can be cross-offshore/cleaning depending on wind direction.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size moderately in one description; another description notes it can close out when swells exceed about 2 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Also described as average in another dataset.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Also described as moderate in another dataset.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Also described as peeling in another dataset.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Short rides; quick peaks.
- Ride Length Details
- Roomier bay-side section can feel friendlier than tighter town breaks; quick peaks that work best on specific sandbars.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Playa Grande 3 (Punta del Diablo) in the full forecast view.
Playa Grande 3 (Punta del Diablo) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–19 ktsGusts 31 kts
- Direction
- SE144°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2419 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.8 m7s period
- Temperature
- 11–18 °C
Over the next 7 days, Playa Grande 3 (Punta del Diablo) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–19 kts, peaking around 19 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 31 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 0.7–1.8 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
- rips
- rip currents
- strong undertow
- occasional shifting sandbars
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards at this spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability is listed as no at the spot level.
- Emergency Info
- No coastguard listed on this spot. Nearest medical facility in Punta del Diablo; primary emergency number is 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Localism is described as none.
Rules of the spot
No designated zones; general beach rules apply.
- Be wary of rips — they make surfing here dangerous.
- Best at low tide.
- Offshore winds from the north-northeast are ideal.
- Access can require a park approach or a long walk; bring water and supplies for this section of the beach.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Chuy
- Nearest Town
- Punta del Diablo
- Parking
- Parking available near the beach entrance; parking also noted within designated areas in Santa Teresa National Park.
- Access
- Accessible via road from Punta del Diablo town; also described as reached via trails/roads through Santa Teresa National Park or by walking north from Playa del Rivero.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Campsites/hostels within Santa Teresa National Park and lodging in Punta del Diablo town.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and bars are available in Punta del Diablo town; some relief structures on the beach are described as rough hand-built bush shelters.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf rentals are offered by shops in Punta del Diablo village.
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 Playa Grande 3 (Punta del Diablo)?
The best overall months at Playa Grande 3 (Punta del Diablo) are April, May, September, October. The best wind months are January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Playa Grande 3 (Punta del Diablo)?
Playa Grande 3 (Punta del Diablo) works with NNE, N winds. Offshore directions are NNE, N.
What skill level is Playa Grande 3 (Punta del Diablo) suitable for?
Playa Grande 3 (Punta del Diablo) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.