Punta Sur (San Andrés)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Swell, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Empty
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Punta Sur is a reef-coral surfing spot at the southern tip of San Andrés, reached quickly from the beach area just south of El Hoyo Soplador. The bottom is sharp coral reef with rocks, so the area demands careful entry and strong awareness of what’s underwater. Surf works best with north swell and north wind. When conditions are right, it can hold from less than 1 m up to around 2 m+ (and is described up to roughly 2.5 m), with a mix of left and right options. Wave quality is generally good, with normal ride lengths commonly described in the 50–150 m range and longer rides possible on better days. Safety is the main constraint here: sources consistently list hazards including rocks, reef, and coral, alongside rips/strong currents and sea urchins. There’s no lifeguard presence at the spot, and rescue is described as limited, so planning and personal water preparation matter. In terms of timing, the spot is most often described as best from December through March, with additional good periods in July through September (and one set of monthly wind/swell consistency windows that also include parts of the dry season). Overall, it’s typically empty or uncrowded, making it a good choice when you want an advanced feel for reef riding without a crowded lineup.
- North swells and north winds produce the cleanest, most consistent reef-coral waves
- Reef-coral break with both left and right sections
- Typically empty/uncrowded access compared with other areas on San Andrés
- Consistent reef-coral surfing when north swells and north winds line up
- Good wave quality with short to medium rides and the potential for longer sessions on better days
- Largely uncrowded / empty conditions compared with more popular areas
- Sharp coral reef and submerged rocks with additional sea-urchin risk
- Strong currents and rips are common at the southern tip
- Limited or no rescue/lifeguard presence at the spot
- Little in-spot convenience (no dedicated gear setup at the launch)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Offshore directions
- N
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind regime.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- The southern tip is highly exposed to the dominant trade winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Swell, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Also described as rocks/reef at the entry; surf is reef-coral from a sandy/near-sandy approach to reef.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Wave size described as small; also noted as working up to medium ranges on better swell.
- Launch
- Small — Instant access from the beach to the reef south of El Hoyo Soplador; rocky entry near the southern tip.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Also described as difficult due to rocky entry; net effect: access is quick but entry into a sharp reef environment is hazardous.
Through the year
Generally low year-round; slightly higher during good swell days.
September to November is the peak rainy season (and less consistent wind).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Reef-coral break on sharp coral reef with options for both right and left directions (consistency improves on north swell).
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, All tides — Sources indicate best movement; one specifies mid tide while another notes all-tides.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Southern tip exposure to open sea swells.
- Wind Effect
- North winds provide clean offshore conditions for the southern-facing reef sections; north wind ideal.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well up to about 2.5 m or more; described as holding up to 2m+ (6ft+) and continuing to work on larger sets.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Soft — Fun waves; power described as soft (reef-coral).
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Also described as peeling; both indicate reef-coral wave character.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Normal rides 50–150 m; good day 150–300 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal rides range between 50 and 150 meters; longer rides on optimal swells (up to 150–300 m on a good day).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Punta Sur (San Andrés) in the full forecast view.
Punta Sur (San Andrés) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–17 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- N1°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2517 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.0 m5s period
- Temperature
- 28–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Punta Sur (San Andrés) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is N. Waves run 0.3–1.0 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
- Reef
- Coral
- Sharp coral reef
- Submerged rocks
- Sea urchins
- Rips
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated public rescue availability at the spot.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in the main town at the north end of the island (and nearest hospital in San Andrés).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Be respectful to locals.
- Spread out in the water and check conditions before heading out.
- Enter the water carefully from the beach area south of El Hoyo Soplador to reach the reef.
- Watch for blowhole activity nearby as it indicates heavy swell.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- San Andrés
- Nearest Town
- San Andrés
- Parking
- Limited parking available near the blowhole area or along the road.
- Access
- Take a car or catch a cab to the south end of the island, just south of El Hoyo Soplador; walking distance to the reef is instant (<5 min).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish, English, Creole
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Guesthouses and hotels are available along the coastal road, with more concentration toward the San Luis and North End areas.
- Food & Drink
- Small local stalls and restaurants are available near El Hoyo Soplador.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated surf rental at the spot; rentals are mostly found in the north end town.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Natural geyser/blowhole where sea water shoots up through a hole in the coral rock.
Natural ocean pools famous for snorkeling and diving with tropical fish.
Well-known seafood restaurant located on the southern coast near the beach.
Renting a golf cart to circle the island is a popular activity.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Punta Sur (San Andrés)?
The best overall months at Punta Sur (San Andrés) are December, January, February, March, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Punta Sur (San Andrés)?
Punta Sur (San Andrés) works with N winds. Offshore directions are N.
What skill level is Punta Sur (San Andrés) suitable for?
Punta Sur (San Andrés) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.