Montañita
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.
Montañita surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (220°)
- Direction range
- 200° - 260°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 60° - 120°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.6m
Water temp
24°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
7/10
Access: Easy beach access from town.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Montañita?
Montañita is a point break in Santa Elena Province, Ecuador, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Montañita?
Montañita picks up swell from the SSW round to the W, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. 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 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 Montañita?
An E wind is dead offshore at Montañita, and anything from the ENE round to the ESE 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 Montañita?
Montañita is at its best around the mid to high tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.6m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Montañita?
The most reliable run of swell at Montañita comes Dec to Apr. There's a second window in May and Nov too. December-April wet season brings best swells. Smaller May-November.
How cold is the water at Montañita?
The water at Montañita 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 Montañita 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. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Rocky point. Strong rips on bigger days.
How do I get to Montañita?
The nearest airport on our list is GYE, then it's roughly a 3-hour drive. Easy beach access from town.
What other surf spots are near Montañita?
The closest breaks we track are Montanita Beach (0.9 km), Montanita La Punta (1.3 km) and La Rinconada (3.3 km), handy when Montañita isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Secondary: May, Nov
December-April wet season brings best swells. Smaller May-November.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Montanita Beach
🌊 Beginner beach • Surf school central • High tide fun
Montanita La Punta
🎉 Ecuador surf capital • Right point barrels • Party town
La Rinconada
🌊 Montanita alternative • Left reef • Fewer crowds
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
Plan a trip around Montañita
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