Punto Canoas
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Punto Canoas is an exposed beach/point break north of Cartagena that offers fairly consistent surf, with both left and right waves. It’s described as most dependable when it receives a North or Northeast swell, and it’s particularly known for long left-handers peeling along the point when conditions line up. Surf conditions are also influenced by wind direction: early morning tends to deliver cleaner water before the breeze builds. For wind sports, the area is governed by Northeast Trade Winds (Los Alisios), with local thermal reinforcement during the dry season. Wind is noted as strongest/most reliable in the winter months, and an afternoon wind/thermal build is commonly expected (with a described peak between about 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM). Typical kitesurf wind speeds are described in the roughly 15–25 knots range, with moderate gusts. Water conditions are generally described as clean relative to Cartagena city, and the beach/launch setup is mostly sandy with rocky outcrops near the point. However, the rocky point and submerged sections introduce hazards that require caution. During larger swells, moderate rip currents may form near the point, increasing the risk around the impact zone. On the logistics side, access is via a dirt track and a 4x4 vehicle is strongly recommended, particularly after rain. Facilities are described as minimal/absent, so riders and surfers should plan to bring all supplies (including food and water) as well as their own gear and safety equipment. Rescue support is described as limited/none at the spot level, with major medical care located in Cartagena (regional guidance).
- Exposed beach/point surf with consistent waves
- Northeast trade winds with afternoon thermal reinforcement
- Rocky point hazards and possible rip currents on larger days
- No on-site facilities—bring supplies and gear
- Reliable trade-wind conditions with afternoon reinforcement
- Warm water and typically clean conditions (especially earlier in the day)
- Consistent exposed beach/point break with surf that can produce longer rides (notably long left-handers on the right swell)
- Access can be tricky and requires a 4x4, especially after rain
- Rocky areas near the point and rip currents on larger swells
- Limited/absent on-site facilities and no formal shore rescue focus
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E, N
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Northeast Trade Winds (Los Alisios), locally reinforced by thermal effects during the dry season.
- Reliability
- High during the winter months (as described in provider data).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Described as moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March, April
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with rocky outcrops near the point.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size described as medium.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach with some rocky outcrops near the point.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty described as moderate; rocky point sections require care.
Through the year
Generally quiet on weekdays; busier with local surfers from Cartagena on weekends.
September to November
By sport
What to expect for each.
Primarily a wave kiting spot for experienced riders with strong wind and waves that can work for strapless riding.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
Less common than surfing or kiting; suitable for wave-inclined windsurfers during the windy season.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.5 m²
Waves and consistent wind can make it viable for wingfoiling, but the shore break and rocky point require care.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendliness described as limited.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
Exposed beach/point break with fairly consistent surf; point break with left and right waves, requiring a North or Northeast swell to work properly. Known for long left-handers when swell and winds align.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE, NW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Optimal tide described as mid.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed break to prevailing conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Northeast winds can be cross-onshore; early morning usually offers the cleanest conditions before the breeze picks up.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size reasonably well but can become messy with heavy wind.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power described.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling wave form is described.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel speed described as medium.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Medium ride length; longest rides on lefts peeling off the point.
- Ride Length Details
- Longest rides are on the lefts peeling off the point.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Punto Canoas in the full forecast view.
Punto Canoas wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- W275°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 248 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–0.6 m5s period
- Temperature
- 25–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Punto Canoas is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.4–0.6 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 near the point and submerged rocks in some sections
- Currents / rip currents possible near the point during larger swells
- Remote access conditions (unreliable rescue support)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence described for the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Formal rescue services are limited (regional guidance). Spot-level rescue described as none.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Cartagena; emergency number is 123 (regional guidance).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism described in provider data.
Rules of the spot
Bring your own supplies; facilities at the spot are very limited/absent.
- Best accessed with a 4x4 vehicle; roads can be difficult, especially after rain.
- Bring water/food and all necessary gear—there are few facilities at the spot.
- Expect exposure and take care around rocky sections near the point.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cartagena
- Nearest Town
- Punta Canoas
- Parking
- Unregulated parking available along the beach area.
- Public Transport
- Access is primarily via taxi, private shuttle, or local busetas running from the city center toward northern villages.
- Access
- Access is via a dirt track from the main road; 4x4 is highly recommended especially after rain.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Limited local rentals in the village; most visitors stay in Cartagena or nearby areas.
- Food & Drink
- Small local eateries in the village of Punta Canoas offering traditional fish dishes.
- Equipment Rental:
- None available at the spot; bring your own gear (provider data).
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 Punto Canoas?
The best overall months at Punto Canoas are December, January, February, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Punto Canoas?
Punto Canoas works with NE, E, N winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Punto Canoas?
Recommended equipment sizes at Punto Canoas: Kitesurfing: 7–11 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Punto Canoas suitable for?
Punto Canoas suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.