La Rinconada
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.
La Rinconada surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Direction range
- 200° - 250°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ENE (67°)
- Offshore range
- 45° - 90°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.4m
Water temp
24°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: South of Montanita point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is La Rinconada?
La Rinconada is a reef break in Guayas, Ecuador, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at La Rinconada?
La Rinconada picks up swell from the SSW round to the WSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 2.4m, with the sweet spot around 1.7 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 12s 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 La Rinconada?
An ENE wind is dead offshore at La Rinconada, and anything from the NE round to the E 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 La Rinconada?
La Rinconada is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.4m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf La Rinconada?
The most reliable run of swell at La Rinconada comes Apr to Nov. There's a second window in Dec to Mar too. Best with SW swells April-November.
How cold is the water at La Rinconada?
The water at La Rinconada averages around 24°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is La Rinconada 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. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Reef break. Respect locals.
How do I get to La Rinconada?
The nearest airport on our list is GYE, then it's roughly a 3-hour drive. South of Montanita point.
What other surf spots are near La Rinconada?
The closest breaks we track are Montanita La Punta (2.2 km), Montanita Beach (2.5 km) and Montañita (3.3 km), handy when La Rinconada isn't working. We track 6 spots around Guayas in total. Fun fact: it's the third most southerly break we track in Ecuador.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Nov
Secondary: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Best with SW swells April-November.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Montanita La Punta
🎉 Ecuador surf capital • Right point barrels • Party town
Montanita Beach
🌊 Beginner beach • Surf school central • High tide fun
Montañita
🎉 Ecuador's party wave • Famous left point • Backpacker paradise
Olon
👨👩👧 Family-friendly • Montanita escape • Quiet beach
Ayampe
🧘 Eco-village waves • Yoga retreat scene • Beginner-friendly
Las Tunas
🏖️ Quiet alternative • Near Ayampe • Year-round waves