Playa Kanoa
Playa Kanoa is Curacao's main surf beach—located on the windward east coast where Atlantic swells wrap around the island. The Dutch Caribbean's most consistent surf option.
Playa Kanoa surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (45°)
- Direction range
- 20° - 80°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Offshore range
- 240° - 300°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.2m - 2.5m
Water temp
27°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: East Curacao. Atlantic exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Playa Kanoa?
Playa Kanoa is a beach break in Curacao, Curacao, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Playa Kanoa?
Playa Kanoa picks up swell from the NNE round to the E, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NE. 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 Playa Kanoa?
A W wind is dead offshore at Playa Kanoa, and anything from the WSW round to the WNW 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 Playa Kanoa?
Playa Kanoa has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.2m to 2.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Playa Kanoa?
The most reliable run of swell at Playa Kanoa comes Nov to Mar. There's a second window in Sep to Oct too. Curacao surf option.
How cold is the water at Playa Kanoa?
The water at Playa Kanoa 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 Playa Kanoa good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Curacao surf option.
How do I get to Playa Kanoa?
The nearest airport on our list is CUR, then it's roughly a 45-minute drive. East Curacao. Atlantic exposure.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Sep, Oct
Curacao surf option.
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