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
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to VLN, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Caribbean is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Caribbean — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
¿Prefieres español? Recibe el Strike Report en español, gratis →
Get the full La Bocaina trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
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 tide is best at La Bocaina?
The La Bocaina profile favors the recorded tide range, ideally between 0.3m and 1.8m on the local tide chart. Compare this preference with the forecast tide and local conditions before choosing a session.
What wind direction is offshore at La Bocaina?
The La Bocaina profile uses wind from S (180°) as its preferred direction, with an offshore range of 140° to 220°. Wind speed matters too: light winds outside that range can still produce surfable conditions, while strong offshore winds can make takeoffs difficult.
What swell size and direction work best at La Bocaina?
The La Bocaina scoring profile favors swell from NNE (350° to 60°), a swell-height range of 1.5m to 3.5m, and a reference period of 14s. These are model inputs, not guaranteed breaking-wave heights or a promise that the surf will suit every ability.
When is the best time of year to surf La Bocaina?
The main season at La Bocaina is Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr. A secondary window runs Sep, Oct. Winter N-NE swells from November through April. Hurricane swells in September-October.
How do I get to La Bocaina?
The spot profile lists VLN as a nearby airport. The estimated road transfer is 65 minutes. Drive from Valencia via Puerto Cabello. Located in Patanemo Bay.
What kind of wave is La Bocaina?
La Bocaina is a reef break, a left-hander. Difficulty is rated 7/10.
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