Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina is Panama's premier surf destination—a long right-hand point break in a remote fishing village on the Pacific coast. The wave wraps around a rocky headland, offering multiple sections that can connect for rides of 200+ meters on the right swell. Getting here is an adventure (a long drive from Panama City), but the sleepy village vibe, consistent waves, and proximity to Coiba National Park (world-class diving) make it worth the journey. Panama's best-kept surf secret.
Santa Catalina surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (200°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 240°
- Size range
- 1m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.9m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (45°)
- Offshore range
- 0° - 90°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 1.5m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Long drive from Panama City.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Santa Catalina?
Santa Catalina is a point break in Veraguas, Panama, that mostly breaks right. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves.
What's the story behind Santa Catalina?
Adventurous surfers found it in the 1970s and kept it secret for years; hosting the 2010 world surfing championship brought a wave of new hotels and restaurants.
What swell works best at Santa Catalina?
Santa Catalina picks up swell from the S round to the WSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.9 to 2.5m. 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 Santa Catalina?
A NE wind is dead offshore at Santa Catalina, and anything from the N round to the E keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 5am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Santa Catalina?
Santa Catalina is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.5m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Santa Catalina?
The most reliable run of swell at Santa Catalina comes Apr to Oct. S-SW swell season. Very consistent.
How cold is the water at Santa Catalina?
The water at Santa Catalina averages around 28°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Santa Catalina 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. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Rocky reef. Remote fishing village.
How do I get to Santa Catalina?
The nearest airport on our list is PTY, then it's roughly a 5-hour drive. Long drive from Panama City.
What other surf spots are near Santa Catalina?
Fun fact: it's the third most southerly break we track in Panama.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
S-SW swell season. Very consistent.
Getting There
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