10-day surf forecast with Strike Scores for Isla Grande, Colón, Panama
Isla Grande is Panama's Caribbean secret—a reef break on the country's north coast that needs north swells to activate but rewards the right conditions with crystal-clear water and quality left-handers over shallow reef. Most visitors know this island as a weekend escape from Panama City for snorkeling and beaches, but a small community of surfers monitors winter swells from the North Atlantic. The boat ride from historic Portobelo adds adventure, while the island's laid-back atmosphere provides the perfect counterpoint to the Pacific coast's more consistent surf scene.
Best day in the forecast: 2026-08-13 with a score of 56/100 (Fair)
Poor conditions overall: Average score 46/100. Look for spots with better forecasts.
Moderate alignment: Swell from 47° is 27° off optimal 20°, workable but not ideal.
Good size: 2.1m is within 15% of ideal 1.8m.
Moderate period: 9s meets minimum 8s but below ideal 12s. Some groundswell energy present.
Onshore/cross-shore: 9 km/h from 311° (NW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
Surfable but not special at Isla Grande. The 2.1m swell from 47° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
2.1m (6.9ft) swell from 47° (NE) at 9s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 45° is 25° off optimal 20°, workable but not ideal.
Good size: 2.0m is within 15% of ideal 1.8m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 9 km/h from 296° (WNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
Surfable but not special at Isla Grande. The 2.0m swell from 45° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
2.0m (6.6ft) swell from 45° (NE) at 9s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 46° is 26° off optimal 20°, workable but not ideal.
Marginal size: 1.8m is 0.1m from ideal 1.8m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 5 km/h from 344° (NNW). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
Surfable but not special at Isla Grande. The 1.8m swell from 46° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
1.8m (5.9ft) swell from 46° (NE) at 9s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 44° is 24° off optimal 20°, workable but not ideal.
Marginal size: 1.6m is 0.1m from ideal 1.8m.
Moderate period: 8s meets minimum 8s but below ideal 12s. Some groundswell energy present.
Onshore/cross-shore: 9 km/h from 27° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
Poor conditions at Isla Grande. Either swell direction (44°), size (1.6m), or wind (9 km/h from 27°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.6m (5.2ft) swell from 44° (NE) at 8s period
Marginal size: 2.3m is 0.5m from ideal 1.8m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 12 km/h from 60° (ENE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
Poor conditions at Isla Grande. Either swell direction (46°), size (2.3m), or wind (12 km/h from 60°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
2.3m (7.5ft) swell from 46° (NE) at 8s period
Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
Marginal size: 2.4m is 0.6m from ideal 1.8m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 8 km/h from 15° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
Surfable but not special at Isla Grande. The 2.4m swell from 46° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
2.4m (7.9ft) swell from 46° (NE) at 9s period
Good size: 1.9m is within 15% of ideal 1.8m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 8 km/h from 281° (W). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
Surfable but not special at Isla Grande. The 1.9m swell from 46° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
1.9m (6.2ft) swell from 46° (NE) at 9s period
Onshore/cross-shore: 13 km/h from 35° (NE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
Poor conditions at Isla Grande. Either swell direction (45°), size (2.1m), or wind (13 km/h from 35°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
2.1m (6.9ft) swell from 45° (NE) at 9s period
Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
Moderate alignment: Swell from 43° is 23° off optimal 20°, workable but not ideal.
Good size: 2.2m is within 15% of ideal 1.8m.
Onshore/cross-shore: 9 km/h from 12° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
Surfable but not special at Isla Grande. The 2.2m swell from 43° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
2.2m (7.2ft) swell from 43° (NE) at 9s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 40° is 20° off optimal 20°, workable but not ideal.
Moderate period: 10s meets minimum 8s but below ideal 12s. Some groundswell energy present.
Onshore/cross-shore: 7 km/h from 29° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 140°-220°.
Surfable but not special at Isla Grande. The 2.3m swell from 40° is workable, but conditions aren't ideal. Fine if you're local, but not worth a dedicated trip.
2.3m (7.5ft) swell from 40° (NE) at 10s period
Open-Meteo Weather API (wind/weather data)