Palomino
Palomino is a scenic beach break where the Sierra Nevada mountains meet the Caribbean Sea—one of the most beautiful surf settings in the Americas. The wave is consistent and the vibe is pure Colombian Caribbean.
Palomino surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (350°)
- Direction range
- 320° - 30°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Offshore range
- 150° - 210°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.2m - 2.5m
Water temp
27°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Between Santa Marta and La Guajira.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Palomino?
Palomino is a beach break in La Guajira, Colombia, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Palomino?
Palomino picks up swell from the NW round to the NNE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the N. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 8s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Palomino?
A S wind is dead offshore at Palomino, and anything from the SSE round to the SSW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Palomino?
Palomino has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.2m to 2.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Palomino?
The most reliable run of swell at Palomino comes Nov to Mar. There's a second window in Sep to Oct too. Beautiful setting between Sierra Nevada and sea.
How cold is the water at Palomino?
The water at Palomino averages around 27°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Palomino good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Beautiful setting between Sierra Nevada and sea.
How do I get to Palomino?
The nearest airport on our list is SMR, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Between Santa Marta and La Guajira.
What other surf spots are near Palomino?
The closest breaks we track are Mendihuaca (32 km) and Los Naranjos (41 km), handy when Palomino isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Sep, Oct
Beautiful setting between Sierra Nevada and sea.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Mendihuaca
🏕️ Surf camp central • Consistent beach break • Santa Marta zone
Los Naranjos
🌿 Tayrona National Park • Jungle beach break • Pristine setting
Punta Roca
🇨🇴 Colombian Caribbean point • Quality right • Growing surf scene