Tongo Reef
Tongo Reef is the crown jewel of Galapagos surfing - a world-class left reef break on San Cristobal Island that hosted the 2022 WSL QS 1000. The wave offers three distinct sections catering to all levels, from the mellow Bajo to the hollow Pico. Surf with sea lions in one of the planet's most unique wildlife sanctuaries.
Tongo Reef surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (202°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 225°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2m - 2.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (112°)
- Offshore range
- 90° - 135°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
Water temp
22°C
Wetsuit
Springsuit / 2mm
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Boat taxi $10 return or 20min dirt road walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Tongo Reef?
Tongo Reef is a reef break in San Cristobal, Galapagos, Ecuador, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Tongo Reef?
Tongo Reef picks up swell from the S round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. 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 3m, with the sweet spot around 2 to 2.6m. 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 Tongo Reef?
An ESE wind is dead offshore at Tongo Reef, and anything from the E round to the SE 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 Tongo Reef?
Tongo Reef 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 Tongo Reef?
The most reliable run of swell at Tongo Reef comes Apr to Nov. There's a second window in Dec to Mar too. Best April-November. Hosted 2022 WSL QS 1000.
How cold is the water at Tongo Reef?
The water at Tongo Reef 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 Tongo Reef 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). Sea lions in lineup. Rocky reef. Boat access recommended.
How do I get to Tongo Reef?
The nearest airport on our list is SCY, then it's roughly a 20-minute drive. Boat taxi $10 return or 20min dirt road walk.
What other surf spots are near Tongo Reef?
The closest breaks we track are La Loberia (2.6 km), El Canon (3.9 km) and Punta Carola (5.6 km), handy when Tongo Reef isn't working. We track 4 spots around San Cristobal, Galapagos in total.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Nov
Secondary: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Best April-November. Hosted 2022 WSL QS 1000.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
La Loberia
🦭 Sea lion beach • Quality reef left • Wildlife paradise
El Canon
🌊 North shore right • NW swell window • Less crowded option
Punta Carola
🌊 Town wave • Right point • Sea lion colony
Punta Negra
🌋 Volcanic reef right • Lower tides • Near Tortuga Bay
Tortuga Bay
🐢 White sand paradise • Marine iguanas • National park setting
Seymour Norte
🚤 Boat access only • Remote reef right • True adventure
Plan a trip around Tongo Reef
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