La Bocaina
La Bocaina is a world-class left reef break tucked inside the bay at Patanemo on Venezuela's central coast. When clean N-NE swells funnel into the bay, the wave peels for 150 to 300 metres over shallow coral, producing hollow barrels that rival anything in the Caribbean. The palm-fringed bay and laid-back fishing village setting make it a hidden gem.
La Bocaina surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNE (20°)
- Direction range
- 350° - 60°
- Size range
- 1.5m - 3.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.4m - 3m
- Height multiplier
- 0.90×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Offshore range
- 140° - 220°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.8m
Water temp
27°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Drive from Valencia via Puerto Cabello. Located in Patanemo Bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is La Bocaina?
La Bocaina is a reef break in Patanemo, Carabobo, Venezuela, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at La Bocaina?
La Bocaina picks up swell from the N round to the ENE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NNE. It starts working at around 1.5m and handles up to about 3.5m, with the sweet spot around 2.4 to 3m. 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 La Bocaina?
A S wind is dead offshore at La Bocaina, and anything from the SE round to the SW 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 La Bocaina?
La Bocaina has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.3m to 1.8m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf La Bocaina?
The most reliable run of swell at La Bocaina comes Nov to Apr. There's a second window in Sep to Oct too. Winter N-NE swells from November through April. Hurricane swells in September-October.
How cold is the water at La Bocaina?
The water at La Bocaina 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 La Bocaina good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Shallow coral reef. Booties recommended. Watch for urchins on entry.
How do I get to La Bocaina?
The nearest airport on our list is VLN, then it's roughly a one-hour drive. Drive from Valencia via Puerto Cabello. Located in Patanemo Bay.
What other surf spots are near La Bocaina?
The closest breaks we track are Patanemo Point (0.4 km), Cuyagua (47 km) and Choroni - El Malecon (56 km), handy when La Bocaina isn't working. Fun fact: it's the third most southerly break we track in Venezuela.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Secondary: Sep, Oct
Winter N-NE swells from November through April. Hurricane swells in September-October.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Patanemo Point
👑 Hidden world-class coral • Patanemo Bay gem • When it's on, it's on
Cuyagua
🏝️ Venezuela's best beachbreak • Fast tubular lefts • Jungle-backed cove
Choroni - El Malecon
🌊 Colonial village point • Henri Pittier NP • Hollow right walls
Los Caracas
🌊 Caracas's power reef • Multiple peaks • Weekend warrior favourite
Puerto Azul
🌊 SW swell alternative • Sandy mellow waves • When NE is flat
Playa Kanoa
🇳🇱 Dutch Caribbean surf • Atlantic facing • Curacao's wave