Surf spot

El Faro

Forecast conditions and map view for El Faro in Ecuador, Galapagos Islands. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Ecuador, Galapagos Islands
Coordinates: -0.9589, -90.9822

Metric
Metric	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00
Wave height (m)	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.5	1.5	1.6	1.6	1.5	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.7	1.8	1.8	1.7	1.6	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.4	1.4	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1.1	1	1	1	1.1	1.1	1	1.2	1.2	1.3
Wave direction	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE
Wave period (s)	6.3	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.4	6.5	6.4	6.8	7	6.8	6.8	6.8	6.8	6.7	6.3	6.2	6.3	6.4	6.5	6.5	6.3	6.3	6	6.1	6.2	6.3	6.5	6.3	6.1	6.1	6.2	6.2	6.3	6.3	6.3	6.3	6.3	6.2	6.2	6.2	6.2	6.3	6.3	6.5	6.3	6.1	5.8	5.8	5.8	5.7	5.5	5.6	5.8	5.5	5.3	5.2
Wave energy (kJ)	167	168	168	173	175	195	199	231	223	227	231	243	245	256	252	234	229	210	200	187	179	167	156	154	146	143	132	126	104	100	107	103	103	100	94	89	85	83	83	83	83	84	83	80	79	77	77	74	72	70	69	70	72	80	86	86
Wind speed (km/h)	13.6	13	14	16.6	17.1	17.1	14.8	14.6	14.4	13.6	15.3	18.3	22	21	19	12.7	13.2	12	12.7	17.4	19.1	17.7	14.8	15.1	12.3	9.9	11.9	15.2	18	19.6	16	14.9	14.4	14.2	14.4	16.4	17	19.6	17.3	14.5	13.1	9.6	13.7	17.2	18	16.3	14.8	11.6	12	9.6	10.1	14.8	19.1	19.9	17.4	13.6
Wind direction	SECross-on	SECross-on	SECross-on	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SSWOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SSWOnshore	SSWOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore

El Faro is a surf spot in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, known for its powerful, exposed reef break and dramatic volcanic setting. It’s typically an advanced-level wave, with fast, hollow sections that can get hollow and heavy when swell lines up. Because it’s a reef break, the takeoff can be critical and the wave often has limited margin for error.

What it’s like

Wave type: Reef break
Skill level: Advanced to expert
Best on: Consistent swell with favorable winds
Wave quality: Can be very good when conditions are aligned, especially for experienced surfers looking for powerful, clean walls and barrels

Conditions

Works best with clean offshore or light winds
Can handle a solid swell, but size and current can make it challenging
Reef and water movement mean conditions can change quickly

Hazards

Sharp reef
Strong currents
Heavy takeoff sections
Potentially shallow water and unforgiving wipeouts

Setting

Surfing El Faro is part of the unique Galápagos experience: wild coastline, clear water, volcanic rock, and abundant marine life. The spot is often appreciated as much for its scenery as for the wave itself.