Punta Negra
Punta Negra is a right-hand reef break located near the famous Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz Island. The wave works best at lower tides with S swells, offering hollow sections over the volcanic reef.
Punta Negra surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Direction range
- 165° - 210°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 70° - 110°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.4m
- Danger below
- 0.2m
Water temp
22°C
Wetsuit
Springsuit / 2mm
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Near Tortuga Bay. Hike access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Punta Negra?
Punta Negra is a reef break in Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Ecuador, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Punta Negra?
Punta Negra picks up swell from the SSE round to the SSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the S. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. 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 Punta Negra?
An E wind is dead offshore at Punta Negra, 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 Punta Negra?
Punta Negra is at its best around the low to mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.4m on the local chart. Below 0.2m it gets dangerously shallow.
When is the best time of year to surf Punta Negra?
The most reliable run of swell at Punta Negra comes Apr to Nov. There's a second window in Dec to Mar too. Best with S swells April-November.
How cold is the water at Punta Negra?
The water at Punta Negra averages around 22°C, so you'll want a springsuit or 2mm. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Punta Negra good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Shallow reef. Best at lower tides.
How do I get to Punta Negra?
The nearest airport on our list is GPS, then it's roughly a 30-minute drive. Near Tortuga Bay. Hike access.
What other surf spots are near Punta Negra?
The closest breaks we track are Tortuga Bay (3.8 km) and Seymour Norte (40 km), handy when Punta Negra isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Nov
Secondary: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Best with S swells April-November.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Tortuga Bay
🐢 White sand paradise • Marine iguanas • National park setting
Seymour Norte
🚤 Boat access only • Remote reef right • True adventure
El Canon
🌊 North shore right • NW swell window • Less crowded option
La Loberia
🦭 Sea lion beach • Quality reef left • Wildlife paradise
Punta Carola
🌊 Town wave • Right point • Sea lion colony
Tongo Reef
🦭 WSL contest venue • Three-section reef • Surf with sea lions