Playas
Playas (officially General Villamil) is the closest surf to Guayaquil, making it popular with city surfers. The area has several right point breaks that offer consistent waves year-round.
Playas surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to GYE, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when South America is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in South America — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
¿Prefieres español? Recibe el Strike Report en español, gratis →
Get the full Playas trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Direction range
- 225° - 315°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ENE (67°)
- Offshore range
- 45° - 90°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
Water temp
24°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
6/10
Access: Closest surf to Guayaquil.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Playas?
Playas is a point break in Guayas, Ecuador, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Playas?
Playas picks up swell from the SW round to the NW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the W. 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 Playas?
An ENE wind is dead offshore at Playas, 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 Playas?
Playas is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Playas?
Playas works year-round. Year-round. Closest surf to Guayaquil.
How cold is the water at Playas?
The water at Playas 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 Playas 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. Expect a moderate crowd (6/10) when it's on. Popular with Guayaquil surfers.
How do I get to Playas?
The nearest airport on our list is GYE, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Closest surf to Guayaquil.
What other surf spots are near Playas?
We track 6 spots around Guayas in total. Fun fact: it's the most southerly break we track in Ecuador.
Best Season
Peak: Jan-Dec
Year-round. Closest surf to Guayaquil.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Salinas Points
🏖️ Resort town • Multiple breaks • Western tip
La Rinconada
🌊 Montanita alternative • Left reef • Fewer crowds
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