Rocky Point 3 (Nueva Gorgona)

Advanced riders
Best for
Intermediate to Advanced
Skill Level
Swell, Ocean
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Rocky Point 3 is an exposed reef break in the Gulf of Panama with fairly consistent surf. The spot’s main hazard is the rocky reef itself, including sharp volcanic rocks and sea urchins, so it is best approached with appropriate protective gear and careful entry/standing. From a surf-conditions standpoint, Rocky Point 3 is described as working best at mid tide with south swell. In the dry season, northern offshore winds can help groom the wave face, supporting a more clean, structured take-off for experienced surfers. The break is also tide-sensitive and can become very shallow and dangerous as you approach dead low tide. Wave characteristics are consistently described as peeling rights along the reef edge, typically with moderate wave power and good overall quality during favorable swell. On larger swells, the wave can close out or become very heavy (reported for swells over 2.5 meters), increasing the importance of reading the set and respecting the reef. Crowd-wise, the spot is described as unlikely to be too crowded even when the surf is up, with occasional extra locals on weekends. When planning your session, prioritize mid-tide conditions, wear booties for the rocky bottom, and avoid dead low tide.

  • Exposed reef break with fairly consistent surf
  • Best at mid tide with south swell
  • Offshore North winds help groom the wave face
  • Rock and sea urchin hazards—booties strongly advised
Great for
Advanced riders
What's great
  • Fairly consistent surf during the dry season.
  • Mid tide works best for the reef setup.
  • Offshore North winds help groom the wave face.
Heads up
  • Rocky reef hazards (including sharp rocks and sea urchins).
  • Sensitive to tide; conditions can become very dangerous at dead low tide.
  • Exposed setup.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
N, NE, NW
Offshore directions
N, NE, NW
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Trade — North trade winds (alisios) with some local/thermal influence during the dry season.
Reliability
High during dry season
Gust Factor
Light gusts — Described as light gusts.
Best Months
January, February, March, December

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell, Ocean
Beach
Reef — Mixed rocky/reef environment; reef bottom and rock hazards dominate.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Medium — Medium-sized surf described; working window includes 1.0–2.0 m swell.
Launch
Medium — Rocky entry point requiring careful navigation through the shoreline.
Launch Difficulty
Difficult — Rocky entry; difficulty described as difficult by some sources and moderate by others.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
20–29 °C
Water Temperature
26–33 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
May–Nov: 1mm top (or rash guard)Dec–Apr: 1mm top / 2mm shorty if upwelling occurs
Crowds by Season

Usually uncrowded; slightly more locals on weekends.

Storm/Rain Season

May to November

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed reef break in the Gulf of Panama with fairly consistent surf. Works best at mid tide with south swell; sensitive to tide and can become dangerous on very low tides and larger swells.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
S, SSE, SSW
Swell Height
1–2 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Surf is best at mid tide.
Shelter
Exposed — Open/exposed setup with limited shelter.
Wind Effect
Offshore winds from the North groom the wave face during the dry season; offshore from the northwest was also described.
Bigger Swell
Can close out or become very heavy on swells over 2.5 meters.
Wave Quality
Good — Good wave quality; often structured and consistent in the dry season.
Wave Power
Moderate — Described as moderate wave power; exposed reef break with fairly consistent surf.
Wave Shape
Peeling — Consistent rights that peel along the reef edge.
Peel Speed
Medium — Peels along the reef edge with a medium speed.
Ride Length
Medium — Medium ride length; consistently peeling rights.
Ride Length Details
Consistent rights that peel along the reef edge; can be trickier with rocks and sea urchins.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Rocky Point 3 (Nueva Gorgona) in the full forecast view.

Rocky Point 3 (Nueva Gorgona) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–8 ktsGusts 15 kts
Direction
N350°
Strongest day
Wed, Oct 288 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
0.3–0.4 m9s period
Temperature
25–31 °C

Over the next 7 days, Rocky Point 3 (Nueva Gorgona) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 15 kts. The prevailing direction is N. Waves run 0.3–0.4 m with a period of about 9s. 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
  • Sharp volcanic rocks
  • Sea urchins
  • Shallow reef at low tide
Ability Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
BootsWetsuitGlovesHood

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguard presence reported for this spot.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — Regional guidance indicates limited rescue availability; no dedicated on-site rescue for every beach.
Emergency Info
No dedicated on-site rescue stations at every beach; emergency number is 911. Nearest major medical facility noted as San Fernando Clinic in Coronado.
Localism / Vibe
None — Mild localism was also mentioned, but overall described as none.

Rules of the spot

Best surfing at mid tide; avoid dead low tide where the reef becomes very shallow and hazardous.

Restrictions
  • Do not surf at dead low tide (reef exposed/shallow).
Local Tips
  • Wear booties due to rocky bottom.
  • Avoid surfing at dead low tide—reef becomes exposed and very shallow.
  • If you are not experienced with rocky entries, consider additional caution when entering/standing on the reef.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
San Carlos
Nearest Town
Nueva Gorgona
Parking
Limited parking available at the end of the public access roads in Nueva Gorgona
Public Transport
Access via the Pan-American Highway; frequent buses run from Panama City toward San Carlos and stop at the Nueva Gorgona entrance.
Access
Access via the beach at Nueva Gorgona, walking east towards the rocky points
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
Spanish
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Nearby town — Various condos and vacation rentals in Nueva Gorgona and Coronado.
Food & Drink
Local restaurants available in the town of Nueva Gorgona.
Equipment Rental:
Surfboard rentals are widely available through local surf schools in the wider Nueva Gorgona/Chame area.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Rocky Point 3 (Nueva Gorgona)?

The best overall months at Rocky Point 3 (Nueva Gorgona) are December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January, February, March, December.

Which wind directions work at Rocky Point 3 (Nueva Gorgona)?

Rocky Point 3 (Nueva Gorgona) works with N, NE, NW winds. Offshore directions are N, NE, NW.

What skill level is Rocky Point 3 (Nueva Gorgona) suitable for?

Rocky Point 3 (Nueva Gorgona) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.