Expert-verified surf spot database with detailed swell/wind parameters, hazards, and travel information
Montañita is South America's legendary surf and party town—a fun left-hand point break in Ecuador that has drawn backpackers, surfers, and adventurers for decades. The wave peels along a rocky point, offering long rides on SW swells that are best during the wet season (December-April). The town itself is infamous for its nightlife and bohemian vibe. Surf by day, party by night—Montañita is South American surf culture distilled.
🎉 Ecuador's party wave • Famous left point • Backpacker paradise
Works best with swells from 220° (SW). Workable range: 200°-260°.
Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.8m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Needs at least 10s period. Ideal: 14s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 60°-120°. Best window: morning.
December-April wet season brings best swells. Smaller May-November.
Rocky point. Strong rips on bigger days.
Swell direction must be within the workable range AND within the spot's coastal orientation. A south-facing beach cannot receive north swells, no matter the size or period.
Offshore wind (blowing from land toward ocean) grooms the wave face. Onshore wind (blowing from ocean toward land) destroys wave quality. Wind tolerance varies by wave type.
Tongo Reef is the crown jewel of Galapagos surfing - a world-class left reef break on San Cristobal Island that hosted the 2022 WSL QS 1000. The wave offers three distinct sections catering to all levels, from the mellow Bajo to the hollow Pico. Surf with sea lions in one of the planet's most unique wildlife sanctuaries.
🦭 WSL contest venue • Three-section reef • Surf with sea lions
Works best with swells from 202° (SSW). Workable range: 180°-225°.
Ideal size: 2.1m. Too small below 1.2m, too big (closeout) above 3m.
Needs at least 12s period. Ideal: 16s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 112° (ESE). Offshore range: 90°-135°. Best window: morning.
Best April-November. Hosted 2022 WSL QS 1000.
Sea lions in lineup. Rocky reef. Boat access recommended.
Boat taxi $10 return or 20min dirt road walk.
Punta Carola is San Cristobal's most accessible wave, a right point break just minutes from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The wave picks up NW swells that wrap around the island during the wet season. Share the lineup with curious sea lions from the nearby colony.
🌊 Town wave • Right point • Sea lion colony
Works best with swells from 315° (NW). Workable range: 290°-340°.
Ideal size: 1.8m. Too small below 0.9m, too big (closeout) above 2.7m.
Offshore wind from 135° (SE). Offshore range: 110°-160°. Best window: morning.
Rocky entry. Sea lions frequent the lineup.
Walking distance from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
La Loberia takes its name from the large sea lion colony that calls this beach home. The left reef break offers quality waves with a unique Galapagos backdrop - marine iguanas, sea lions, and blue-footed boobies are all regular sightings between sets.
🦭 Sea lion beach • Quality reef left • Wildlife paradise
Offshore wind from 67° (ENE). Offshore range: 45°-90°. Best window: morning.
El Canon is a right-hand reef break on San Cristobal's north side that lights up when NW swells wrap around the island. Less crowded than Tongo, it offers fun walls and occasional barrels for intermediate to advanced surfers.
🌊 North shore right • NW swell window • Less crowded option
Works best with swells from 292° (WNW). Workable range: 270°-315°.
Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.9m, too big (closeout) above 2.4m.
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 70°-110°. Best window: morning.
Tortuga Bay is a stunning white sand beach accessible via a 45-minute walk from Puerto Ayora. The beach break offers consistent waves in a postcard-perfect setting, with marine iguanas sunbathing on the sand between sessions.
🐢 White sand paradise • Marine iguanas • National park setting
Works best with swells from 180° (S). Workable range: 165°-210°.
Ideal size: 1.4m. Too small below 0.9m, too big (closeout) above 1.8m.
Best with S swells. Beach closes at 5pm.
Strong currents. Marine iguanas on beach.
45min walk from Puerto Ayora. Closes at 5pm.
Seymour Norte is a remote right-hand reef break off the north coast of Santa Cruz, accessible only by boat. The wave picks up NW swells and offers uncrowded, quality surf for those willing to make the journey.
🚤 Boat access only • Remote reef right • True adventure
Unknown minutes drive from GPS airport. Requires boat access ($150/day).
Boat charter required. Remote island location.
Punta Negra is a right-hand reef break located near the famous Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz Island. The wave works best at lower tides with S swells, offering hollow sections over the volcanic reef.
🌋 Volcanic reef right • Lower tides • Near Tortuga Bay
Ideal size: 1.8m. Too small below 1.2m, too big (closeout) above 2.4m.
Mompiche is one of Ecuador's premier waves - a long, tubular left point that peels for 300+ meters on good days. Set in a lush jungle village, the wave fires during the December-April NW swell season, producing powerful, hollow walls that draw traveling surfers from around the world.
🌴 Ecuador premier left • Long tubular rides • Jungle paradise
Works best with swells from 292° (WNW). Workable range: 270°-330°.
Best December-April with NW swells. Also works with SW.
Rocky point. Strong currents on bigger swells.
2hr drive from Esmeraldas. Jungle village setting.
Portete Island sits just offshore from Mompiche, offering an alternative when the main point is too crowded. The reef break produces both lefts and rights over the coral bottom, with easy boat access from the main beach.
🏝️ Island reef break • Boat access • Alternative to Mompiche
120 minutes drive from ESM airport. Requires boat access ($15/day).
Playa Negra is the mellow beach break in Mompiche town, perfect for beginners or when the main point is too powerful. The dark sand beach offers consistent, forgiving waves with an easy paddle out.
🏖️ Beginner beach • Mompiche mellow option • Dark sand
Works best with swells from 270° (W). Workable range: 235°-315°.
Casa Blanca is a quiet beach break north of Mompiche, offering uncrowded waves for those seeking solitude. The consistent beach break works on both SW and NW swells, with warm water year-round.
🏖️ Quiet beach • Uncrowded peaks • Northern Esmeraldas
Mild conditions. Watch currents on bigger days.
Canoa is a long, beautiful beach break in a laid-back backpacker town. The 17km stretch of sand offers multiple peaks to spread out, with consistent NW swells during the wet season and a chilled-out surf village atmosphere.
🎒 Backpacker haven • Long beach • Consistent peaks
Works best with swells from 315° (NW). Workable range: 290°-330°.
San Mateo is a quality left point break near Manta that comes alive during NW swell events. The wave wraps around a rocky point in a traditional fishing village, offering long walls and occasional barrels.
🎣 Fishing village left • Long walls • Near Manta
Works best with swells from 337° (NNW). Workable range: 315°-360°.
La Bellaca is a versatile left point break that works with both NW and SW swells, making it one of the more consistent spots on the Manabi coast. The wave offers long, workable walls with good power.
🌊 Versatile left • Works both swells • Consistent option
Works best with swells from 270° (W). Workable range: 225°-315°.
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Rio Chico is a left point break at a river mouth south of Manta. The wave lights up with S-SW swells during the dry season, offering quality walls with fewer crowds than the more famous breaks.
🌊 River mouth left • S-SW swells • Quiet option
Near Puerto Lopez. River mouth location.
Puerto Cayo is a mellow right point break in a small fishing port. The wave offers fun, workable walls for intermediate surfers during NW swell events, with a quiet village atmosphere.
🎣 Fishing port right • Mellow waves • Quiet village
Las Tunas is a quiet beach break near the popular Ayampe area, offering uncrowded waves for those seeking solitude. The consistent beach break works with multiple swell directions year-round.
🏖️ Quiet alternative • Near Ayampe • Year-round waves
Works year-round with both swell directions.
Ayampe is an eco-village beach break popular with the yoga and wellness crowd. The consistent waves are perfect for beginners and longboarders, with numerous eco-lodges and healthy eating options in the village.
🧘 Eco-village waves • Yoga retreat scene • Beginner-friendly
Montanita is Ecuador's most famous wave and surf town - a right-hand point break that barrels at low tide over a rocky reef. The vibrant party town atmosphere attracts surfers, backpackers, and beach lovers from around the world. When rare N swells hit during summer, the point produces perfect, long rides.
🎉 Ecuador surf capital • Right point barrels • Party town
Works best with swells from 225° (SW). Workable range: 200°-315°.
Montanita Beach is the beginner-friendly beach break in front of the famous surf town. At high tide, mellow waves offer perfect learning conditions, while numerous surf schools line the sand.
🌊 Beginner beach • Surf school central • High tide fun
La Rinconada is a left reef break just south of Montanita point, offering an alternative when the main break is too crowded. The wave works best with SW swells and offers quality walls over the coral reef.
🌊 Montanita alternative • Left reef • Fewer crowds
Works best with swells from 225° (SW). Workable range: 200°-250°.
Olon is the quieter neighbor to party-town Montanita, offering consistent beach break waves with a more family-friendly atmosphere. The long stretch of beach provides plenty of peaks to spread out.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-friendly • Montanita escape • Quiet beach
Salinas is Ecuador's westernmost point and a wealthy resort town with multiple surf breaks around the peninsula. The various point and reef breaks offer options for different conditions and skill levels.
🏖️ Resort town • Multiple breaks • Western tip
Multiple reef/point breaks. Resort town.
Playas (officially General Villamil) is the closest surf to Guayaquil, making it popular with city surfers. The area has several right point breaks that offer consistent waves year-round.
🏙️ Guayaquil closest surf • Multiple points • Weekend escape