Cuyagua
Cuyagua is Venezuela's premier beach break—a dark-sand cove backed by the jungle-covered mountains of Henri Pittier National Park. The west end produces a fast, tubular left that barrels along a reef-sand bottom, while multiple peaks stretch along the bay. The Afro-Venezuelan village adds deep cultural flavour to what is already one of the most scenic surf settings in the Caribbean.
Cuyagua surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNE (15°)
- Direction range
- 345° - 55°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.8m - 2.2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 13s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (200°)
- Offshore range
- 160° - 240°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 1.8m
Water temp
27°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
5/10
Access: Winding mountain road through Henri Pittier NP. Near Choroni.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Cuyagua?
Cuyagua is a reef break in Cuyagua, Aragua, Venezuela, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Cuyagua?
Cuyagua picks up swell from the NNW round to the NE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NNE. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.8 to 2.2m. Period matters too: aim for 13s or longer, as anything under 9s 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 Cuyagua?
A SSW wind is dead offshore at Cuyagua, and anything from the SSE round to the WSW 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 Cuyagua?
Cuyagua is at its best around the mid to high tide, roughly 0.5m to 1.8m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Cuyagua?
The most reliable run of swell at Cuyagua comes Nov to Apr. There's a second window in Sep to Oct too. Winter N-NE swells. Best beachbreak in Venezuela at west end of beach.
How cold is the water at Cuyagua?
The water at Cuyagua averages around 27°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Cuyagua 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. Expect a moderate crowd (5/10) when it's on. Strong rips on bigger days. The left at the west end breaks near rocks.
How do I get to Cuyagua?
The nearest airport on our list is VLN, then it's roughly a 2.5-hour drive. Winding mountain road through Henri Pittier NP. Near Choroni.
What other surf spots are near Cuyagua?
The closest breaks we track are Choroni - El Malecon (9.8 km), Patanemo Point (47 km) and La Bocaina (47 km), handy when Cuyagua isn't working. Fun fact: it's the most southerly break we track in Venezuela.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Secondary: Sep, Oct
Winter N-NE swells. Best beachbreak in Venezuela at west end of beach.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Choroni - El Malecon
🌊 Colonial village point • Henri Pittier NP • Hollow right walls
Patanemo Point
👑 Hidden world-class coral • Patanemo Bay gem • When it's on, it's on
La Bocaina
🔥 Venezuela's best left • Hollow coral reef • 300m rides
Los Caracas
🌊 Caracas's power reef • Multiple peaks • Weekend warrior favourite
Puerto Azul
🌊 SW swell alternative • Sandy mellow waves • When NE is flat
Chirere
🌊 East of Caracas escape • Mellow beach break • Uncrowded fun