Canoa
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.
Canoa surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (315°)
- Direction range
- 290° - 330°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (112°)
- Offshore range
- 90° - 135°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
Water temp
25°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
3/10
Crowd level
5/10
Access: Backpacker town. Long beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Canoa?
Canoa is a beach break in Manabi, Ecuador, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Canoa?
Canoa picks up swell from the WNW round to the NNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 0.9m and handles up to about 2.4m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s 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 Canoa?
An ESE wind is dead offshore at Canoa, and anything from the E round to the SE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Canoa?
Canoa is at its best around the mid to high tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Canoa?
The most reliable run of swell at Canoa comes Dec to Apr. There's a second window in May to Nov too. Best December-April. Backpacker town.
How cold is the water at Canoa?
The water at Canoa averages around 25°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Canoa good for beginners?
Yes, it's one of the friendlier waves around, rated 3/10 for difficulty. Expect a moderate crowd (5/10) when it's on. Popular backpacker destination.
How do I get to Canoa?
The nearest airport on our list is MEC, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Backpacker town. Long beach.
What other surf spots are near Canoa?
The closest breaks we track are La Bellaca (46 km), handy when Canoa isn't working. We track 7 spots around Manabi in total.
Best Season
Peak: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Secondary: May-Nov
Best December-April. Backpacker town.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
La Bellaca
🌊 Versatile left • Works both swells • Consistent option
San Mateo
🎣 Fishing village left • Long walls • Near Manta
Rio Chico
🌊 River mouth left • S-SW swells • Quiet option
Puerto Cayo
🎣 Fishing port right • Mellow waves • Quiet village
Playa Negra Mompiche
🏖️ Beginner beach • Mompiche mellow option • Dark sand
Mompiche Point
🌴 Ecuador premier left • Long tubular rides • Jungle paradise