Surf spot

EL Playon

Forecast conditions and map view for EL Playon in Panama. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Panama
Coordinates: 9.6184, -79.5381

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)	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.7	1.8	1.9	1.9	1.8	1.9	1.6	2	2	2	1.8	1.7	1.7	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.5	1.4	1.2	1.2	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.9	1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1
Wave direction	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	ENE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	ENE	ENE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE
Wave period (s)	6.4	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.6	6.8	7	7.3	7.3	7.2	7.3	7	7.5	7.2	7.2	7.2	7.2	6.7	6.8	6.7	6.8	6.8	6.8	6.8	6.8	6.7	6.6	6.8	6.6	6	6.2	6.2	6	6	5.9	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.6	5.7	5.6	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.7	5.8	5.8	5.8	5.7	5.7	5.7	5.8	5.9
Wave energy (kJ)	189	203	198	193	191	211	277	348	385	382	348	346	303	406	423	393	324	259	251	224	222	225	234	234	225	207	181	135	130	116	132	128	120	111	100	86	77	67	63	65	69	68	64	59	53	51	53	62	76	83	86	82	82	82	87	90
Wind speed (km/h)	5.3	3.9	5.2	4.7	10.5	8.7	4	1.6	3.4	2.8	6.6	8	9.2	6.5	4.3	3.4	3.6	4.3	4.9	5	8.3	9.4	9.2	10.2	7.1	9.4	10.1	12	9.3	9.7	7	4.2	3.4	3.5	4	0.5	3.4	4.3	1.9	1.8	6.2	5.5	5.2	3.6	7.9	9.3	8.4	8.4	7.9	6.4	6.3	8.4	11.4	9.3	6	7.3
Wind direction	WSWOffshore	SWGlassy	SSWCross	WGlassy	WOffshore	WOffshore	WGlassy	WNWGlassy	WSWGlassy	NEGlassy	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	SECross-on	SGlassy	WSWGlassy	SGlassy	SGlassy	SSEGlassy	NNECross-on	NCross	NCross	NECross-on	NNECross-on	ENEOnshore	EOnshore	EOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	ENEOnshore	NECross-on	SSEGlassy	SSWGlassy	SSWGlassy	SGlassy	NWGlassy	WNWGlassy	NWGlassy	WNWGlassy	SWGlassy	SWCross-off	SSWCross-off	SSWCross	SWGlassy	WOffshore	WSWOffshore	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SSWCross-off	SSWCross-off	WSWCross-off	WOffshore	WSWOffshore	SSWCross-off	SSWCross-off

El Playón, Panama is a well-known surf spot on the Pacific coast, located in the Azuero Peninsula area near Pedasí. It’s a beachbreak that can deliver fun, punchy waves and gets the most attention when a good south or southwest swell fills in.

What it’s like

Wave type: Mostly a sandy beachbreak, with shifting peaks.
Best conditions: Typically works best with a clean swell and light winds.
Wave quality: Can be very enjoyable and hollow at times, though sand movement means conditions change often.
Crowds: Usually less crowded than more famous Central American surf destinations, but it can attract locals and traveling surfers when conditions are good.

Vibe

Remote-feeling and laid-back
Tropical setting with warm water
Often surfed with a mix of locals and a few visitors

Things to know

Because it’s a beachbreak, the sandbars can shift after storms, which changes where the best takeoff spots are.
It can have strong currents and a fair amount of power, so intermediate to advanced surfers tend to enjoy it most.
Depending on the swell, it may be more suitable for shortboard surfing, though larger days can offer longer rides.