Surf spot

Santa Catalina

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

Country: Panama
Coordinates: 7.6528, -81.2934

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)	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.5
Wave direction	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW
Wave period (s)	9.5	8.4	8.4	7.2	8.4	8.4	8.3	8.2	8.2	8.1	8.3	7.4	8	8	8	7.8	7.5	7.3	7.3	7.3	7	7	7	7	7	6.9	6.9	6.9	6.8	7.5	6.8	6.8	6.8	6.8	6.8	6.7	6.7	9.9	7.5	10.8	10.6	10.3	10.6	10.4	10.3	10.3	10.3	10.1	9.9	9.9	9.8	10.8	10.7	9.4	10.6	10.4
Wave energy (kJ)	49	48	48	35	61	61	59	58	58	57	49	39	52	49	49	50	43	44	43	46	43	43	45	47	48	47	47	47	41	43	38	38	36	33	31	28	26	46	28	58	60	58	61	58	57	57	45	51	46	45	45	41	40	31	47	46
Wind speed (km/h)	3.1	4.1	3.5	2.3	10.5	11.9	4.5	3.3	5.5	4.1	3.6	3.3	7.3	7.1	2.9	6.3	5.4	4.9	5.8	12.2	10.3	12.6	5.6	3.6	4	4.4	3.7	3.1	11.9	12.5	7.4	5	6.6	2.9	5.1	3.7	10.9	14	8.9	6.7	3.9	2.9	2.9	6.2	14.7	14.1	7.7	5.2	3.9	6.3	4.5	7.4	17.1	14.6	10.7	8.5
Wind direction	NNWGlassy	NEGlassy	NNEGlassy	SEGlassy	SCross	SWCross	SSWGlassy	NWGlassy	NCross-off	NNWGlassy	NGlassy	EGlassy	SCross-on	SSWCross	ENEGlassy	NNECross	NCross-off	NEGlassy	NNECross	NECross-on	SEOnshore	SCross-on	SSWCross	NEGlassy	NGlassy	NGlassy	NNEGlassy	NEGlassy	SSWCross	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	WNWOffshore	NNWCross-off	NGlassy	NECross-on	ESEGlassy	SCross-on	SSWCross	SWCross-off	WSWCross-off	WNWGlassy	WGlassy	NGlassy	SCross-on	SSWCross	SSWCross	SWCross	WSWCross-off	WNWGlassy	NNWCross-off	NNWGlassy	SWCross-off	SSWCross	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	NWCross-off

Santa Catalina, Panama is one of Central America’s most famous surf destinations, known for its powerful, consistent waves and relaxed tropical vibe.

Surf character

Wave type: Mostly reef break
Best known for: Long, fast, hollow lefts
Skill level: Best for intermediate to advanced surfers, though there are easier options nearby on smaller days
Consistency: Very reliable, with solid swell exposure from the Pacific

What the wave is like

Santa Catalina is famous for quality point-style reef waves that can hold size well. The main break often delivers long, peeling left-handers that can get steep and punchy, especially when the swell picks up. On bigger days, it can become powerful and challenging, with strong currents and shallow reef sections.

Conditions

Best swell: South and southwest swells
Best wind: Light offshore or calm conditions
Best tide: Often mid to low tide, depending on the break and swell size
Crowds: Can be crowded due to its reputation, especially in peak season

Vibe and setting

Santa Catalina is a small, laid-back fishing village with a simple, low-key atmosphere. The area feels remote and natural, with beaches, palms, and easy access to nearby islands and marine life. It’s also a gateway to Coiba National Park, which adds to its appeal for surf and adventure travelers.

Nearby options

La Punta: The main famous point/reef break
Beginners’ beach breaks: Available nearby for learners
Boat-access breaks: Some of the best uncrowded waves are reached by boat around Coiba

Summary

Santa Catalina is a world-class reef break offering powerful, high-quality lefts in a beautiful tropical setting. It’s a must-visit for surfers looking for consistent Pacific swell, a mellow village atmosphere, and access to some of Panama’s best waves.