Portete Island
Portete Island sits just offshore from Mompiche, offering an alternative when the main point is too crowded. The reef break produces both lefts and rights over the coral bottom, with easy boat access from the main beach.
Portete Island 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° - 340°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SE (135°)
- Offshore range
- 110° - 160°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.4m
Water temp
26°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Short boat ride from Mompiche beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Portete Island?
Portete Island is a reef break in Mompiche, Esmeraldas, Ecuador, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Portete Island?
Portete Island picks up swell from the WNW round to the NNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NW. 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 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 Portete Island?
A SE wind is dead offshore at Portete Island, and anything from the ESE round to the SSE 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 Portete Island?
Portete Island is at its best around the low to mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.4m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Portete Island?
The most reliable run of swell at Portete Island comes Dec to Apr. There's a second window in May to Jun and Nov too. Best December-April with NW swells.
How cold is the water at Portete Island?
The water at Portete Island averages around 26°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Portete Island 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). Reef break with rocky sections.
How do I get to Portete Island?
The nearest airport on our list is ESM, then it's roughly a 2-hour drive. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $15 USD, but confirm with an operator). Short boat ride from Mompiche beach.
What other surf spots are near Portete Island?
The closest breaks we track are Mompiche Point (1.1 km), Playa Negra Mompiche (2.5 km) and Casa Blanca (40 km), handy when Portete Island isn't working. Fun fact: it's the second most northerly break we track in Ecuador.
Best Season
Peak: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Secondary: May, Jun, Nov
Best December-April with NW swells.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Mompiche Point
🌴 Ecuador premier left • Long tubular rides • Jungle paradise
Playa Negra Mompiche
🏖️ Beginner beach • Mompiche mellow option • Dark sand
Casa Blanca
🏖️ Quiet beach • Uncrowded peaks • Northern Esmeraldas
Canoa
🎒 Backpacker haven • Long beach • Consistent peaks
La Bellaca
🌊 Versatile left • Works both swells • Consistent option
San Mateo
🎣 Fishing village left • Long walls • Near Manta