Surf spot

Roca Chica

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

Country: Panama
Coordinates: 8.2053, -82.1804

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)	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5
Wave direction	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SW	SW	SSW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SSW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW
Wave period (s)	12.2	12.2	12.3	12.3	12.1	12.3	12.2	11.5	11.8	11.7	11.3	8.9	8.8	8.5	8.5	8.3	8.3	8.3	8.4	8.5	8.1	8.2	8.2	8.1	8.3	7.7	8.1	8	6.9	6.8	6.8	6.7	9.6	6.5	6.4	6.3	9	10.1	10.8	10.8	10.7	10.7	10.8	10.4	12.9	12.8	12.6	12.5	11.9	12.1	11.8	11.7	11.6	11.4	11.2	11.2
Wave energy (kJ)	113	121	117	115	105	103	100	102	94	91	91	54	53	56	56	46	46	46	45	45	38	36	36	35	37	37	44	43	32	34	33	32	58	32	31	29	54	68	78	78	76	76	63	73	113	109	107	105	102	105	94	92	91	82	63	68
Wind speed (km/h)	1.5	7.7	5.2	5.2	16.6	7.4	3.1	2.4	4.7	4.4	6.3	5	12.1	11.4	5.1	5.2	4.3	4	4.1	5.1	8.2	9.6	1.1	5.8	6.9	4.6	5.2	6.1	9.8	8.4	3	4.7	5.8	5	5.6	6.5	14.1	3.1	0.5	2.5	6.6	3.7	3.8	4.3	9.7	8.9	1.1	5.4	3.5	3.4	4.4	5.1	6.2	4.9	1.8	4.5
Wind direction	ENEGlassy	NECross	NNECross-off	ESECross-on	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	SWGlassy	WSWGlassy	NGlassy	NGlassy	NNECross-off	SSEOnshore	SCross-on	SWCross-on	WCross-off	ENECross-on	ESEGlassy	NGlassy	NEGlassy	SEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SWCross-on	SSEGlassy	NNWOffshore	NCross-off	NNEGlassy	NNECross-off	ESEOnshore	SCross-on	SWCross	WNWGlassy	NGlassy	NCross-off	NNECross-off	NECross	SEOnshore	SCross-on	SSWGlassy	SEGlassy	NGlassy	NNWOffshore	NGlassy	NEGlassy	SEGlassy	SCross-on	SSWCross-on	NNEGlassy	NCross-off	NNWGlassy	NNWGlassy	NWGlassy	NECross	SEOnshore	SSEGlassy	SEGlassy	NNWGlassy

Roca Chica (Panama) is a lesser-known surf spot on Panama’s Pacific coast, offering a more raw and uncrowded experience compared with the country’s better-known breaks. It’s typically a rocky reef/point-style wave rather than a soft beach break, so it tends to suit surfers who are comfortable paddling around sharp reef and timing their takeoff.

What it’s like

Wave type: Reef break / rocky point
Power: Can be punchy and hollow when the swell is right
Crowd: Usually light compared with more famous Panamanian surf zones
Best for: Intermediate to advanced surfers, depending on conditions
Hazards: Rocks, reef, and occasional strong currents

Conditions

Roca Chica generally works best with a consistent Pacific swell and clean offshore winds. Like many reef spots in Panama, it can be highly tide-sensitive, with the shape and quality changing a lot depending on tide level and swell direction.

Atmosphere

Expect a natural, remote feel—less of a developed surf town vibe and more of a local, off-the-beaten-path surf mission. That makes it appealing if you want a quieter lineup and don’t mind a bit of exploration.