San Carlos Point
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
San Carlos Point features peeling right waves over a rocky shelf/reef near the mouth of the San Carlos River. Offshore northwest winds are the key wind condition, while south winds are noted to blow the wave out. The bottom hazards mean surfers should be prepared for submerged rocks and additional risks from river-related debris and rip currents, particularly after heavy rains.
- Offshore NW winds help produce clean wave faces
- Mid to high tide is emphasized for safer, better wave shape over the rocks
- South swells can offer longer rides (noted around 50 to 100 meters on good sessions)
- Exposed right-hand reef/point break with peeling waves when offshore NW winds align
- Generally rarely crowded
- Long-right potential with rides that can reach roughly 50 to 100 meters on good swells
- Rocky reef makes low tide and shallow conditions risky
- Rip currents and river debris can be present, especially after heavy rain
- Performance varies strongly with swell size and tide
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, N, NNE
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Offshore winds most often cited from the northwest; trade/offshore pattern is referenced for grooming.
- Reliability
- high during the dry season
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April
- Shadow Zones
- Small wind shadows can occur near the shore due to terrain and buildings in town.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky/reef environment; rocks are the primary hazard.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — A minimum swell size is referenced for the break to work; medium swell described in spot details.
- Launch
- Sandy entry near the river mouth is mentioned, with rocky sections requiring extra care.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Requires careful entry/positioning around the rocky areas and attention to tide level.
Through the year
Can get busy on weekends with visitors from Panama City; quiet during the week.
May to November is the wet season.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef-and-point break producing a right-hand peel over a rocky bottom near the mouth of the San Carlos River. Needs a good swell to work and is best at mid to high tide.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW, E, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High — Sources emphasize mid-tide; one source notes medium-to-high tide for clean conditions.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Best with northwest offshore winds; north/northwest winds groom wave faces. South winds can blow the wave out.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out or become very heavy with extreme southern swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Can become very heavy or close out on extreme southern swells.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Good south swells can produce rides of about 50 to 100 meters.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can offer rides of 50 to 100 meters on a good south swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for San Carlos Point in the full forecast view.
San Carlos Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–9 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- NNW337°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 299 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–0.4 m8s period
- Temperature
- 25–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, San Carlos Point is forecast for daytime winds of 1–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.2–0.4 m with a period of about 8s. 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
- Submerged rocks
- River mouth debris
- Rip currents
- Sea urchins
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No formal lifeguard stations are present; emergency response is described as occasional via regional support.
- Emergency Info
- Basic medical facilities are available in the town of San Carlos.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Described as a low-profile local spot; local priorities at the peak should be respected.
Rules of the spot
General surf etiquette applies; respect local priorities at the peak.
- Wear booties due to rocky bottom.
- Spot is best at mid-tide; low tide can be too shallow and dangerous over the rocks.
- Be careful after heavy rains as river can bring out logs and trash.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Panama City
- Nearest Town
- San Carlos
- Parking
- Limited street parking and small lots near the public beach access.
- Public Transport
- Regular busitos run along the Inter-American Highway; local taxis and car rentals are primary for reaching specific launches.
- Access
- From Panama City via Pan-American Highway; buses drop off on the highway, then take a taxi to the beach. Exact drop-off point requires local knowledge.
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Several small guesthouses and hotels are located within the town and in nearby Coronado.
- Food & Drink
- Local restaurants serving seafood and Panamanian cuisine are located near the waterfront.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited availability in town; better options are found in nearby Coronado.
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 San Carlos Point?
The best overall months at San Carlos Point are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are January, February, March, April.
Which wind directions work at San Carlos Point?
San Carlos Point works with NW, N, NNE winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is San Carlos Point suitable for?
San Carlos Point suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.