Patos
Patos is a quality reef break in the remote Dakhla coastline offering consistent waves over a volcanic reef. The wave has good shape and rewards the long drive from town.
Patos surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (300°)
- Direction range
- 270° - 330°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (45°)
- Offshore range
- 0° - 90°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
19°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Quality reef break in remote area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Patos?
Patos is a reef break in Dakhla, Western Sahara, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Patos?
Patos picks up swell from the W round to the NNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the WNW. It starts working at around 0.9m and handles up to about 2.4m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2m. 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 Patos?
A NE wind is dead offshore at Patos, and anything from the N round to the E 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 Patos?
Patos is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Patos?
The most reliable run of swell at Patos comes Oct to Mar. Quality reef break in remote area.
How cold is the water at Patos?
The water at Patos averages around 19°C, so you'll want a 3/2mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Patos 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 1/10). Remote location.
How do I get to Patos?
The nearest airport on our list is VIL, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Quality reef break in remote area.
What other surf spots are near Patos?
The closest breaks we track are Untouchables (12 km), handy when Patos isn't working. We track 7 spots around Dakhla in total.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Quality reef break in remote area.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Untouchables
🔒 Named for isolation • Perfect right • 4x4 mission
La Corniche (Dakhla)
🏖️ Near Laayoune • Multiple peaks • Virtually empty
Westpoint (Dakhla)
🏜️ Desert point break • Surf and kite • Camp culture
Oumlaabour
⬅️ Consistent left point • Desert backdrop • Swell magnet
Lassarga
🆕 Discovered 2015 • Best in region • Complete waves
Pointe de l'Or
✨ Golden light • Quality rights • Desert solitude