Gully's

Gully’s is a well-known reef break on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast, in the Pavones/Punta Banco area near the Panama border. It’s a powerful, world-class wave best known for its long lefts that can run for a very long distance on a solid south swell.

What it’s like

• Wave type: Fast, hollow reef break with long walls and sections that can barrel when conditions line up.
• Direction: Primarily a left-hand point-style reef break.
• Best swell: South to southwest swell is the main driver.
• Best wind: Offshore east/northeast winds generally clean it up.
• Best tide: Usually mid to high tide is safer and more user-friendly, though that depends on swell size.

Bottom and conditions

• The wave breaks over reef and rock, so it has a very shallow, sometimes heavy takeoff.
• When it’s big, the takeoff can be extremely critical and the section can get intense.
• Because of the reef, it’s not a great place for beginners.

Skill level

• Advanced to expert surfers only, especially on larger swells.
• Smaller days can be more manageable, but it still rewards confident surfers with good positioning and wave knowledge.

Crowd and vibe

• Gully’s tends to draw experienced surfers and can get competitive when conditions are good.
• The area around Pavones has a laid-back, remote vibe, with jungle and coastal scenery.

Hazards

• Shallow reef
• Strong currents
• Heavy waves on large swells
• Limited rescue access compared with more developed breaks

Nearby area

It’s part of the broader Punta Banco/Pavones surf zone, which is famous for long lefts and tropical, uncrowded surf.