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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardSurfing bodyboardBeginnersAdvanced riders
What's great
  • 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
Heads up
  • 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)
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
27–29 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Dec–May: Lycra (sun protection) + jellyfish protection1/2mm shorty may be preferred for longer sessions or winter.
Crowds by Season

Generally low year-round; slightly higher during good swell days.

Storm/Rain Season

September to November is the peak rainy season (and less consistent wind).

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Reef-coral break on sharp coral reef with options for both right and left directions (consistency improves on north swell).

Reef break
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).
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
BootsLeash

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.

Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Best time to visit: December to April (for the best combination of dry weather and wind).
Hoyo Soplador0.5 km

Natural geyser/blowhole where sea water shoots up through a hole in the coral rock.

West View & La Piscinita4 km

Natural ocean pools famous for snorkeling and diving with tropical fish.

Restaurante Donde Francesca2 km

Well-known seafood restaurant located on the southern coast near the beach.

Island Loop Golf Cart Tour0 km

Renting a golf cart to circle the island is a popular activity.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.