Bastimentos & the outer isles · Panama
Surfing First Beach (Wizard Beach)
A beach break in Bastimentos & the outer isles, Panama, for beginner and intermediate surfers.
First Beach, also called Wizard Beach, is on the north side of Bastimentos. It picks up more swell than anywhere else in Bocas, but it's a fairly basic beach break with some patches of reef.
To get there you take a boat to the south side of the island and walk about 20 minutes across the fields, longer when the trail is muddy. It's the place to go when everything else is flat, and the beach, with jungle right behind it, is one of the most beautiful in the archipelago. Usually there's nobody else out.
When to surf
First Beach (Wizard Beach)
First Beach (Wizard Beach) is at its best from December to March. Conditions it likes: Swell NE-E.
December to March: Prime
Main season, NE-E storms off Colombia fire the reefs and Silverbacks
April to May: Quiet
Flat spells between seasons; the Pacific side is better now
June to August: Good
A reliable mid-year mini-season, July the safer bet
September to November: Quiet
Mostly flat and wet, off-season on the Caribbean
The year across Bocas del Toro
Waves near First Beach (Wizard Beach)
Silverbacks
1 kmBastimentos & the outer isles · Right Reef · Advanced / Pro
Careñeros
4 kmIsla Colón · Left Point · Beginner / Intermediate
Dumpers
5 kmIsla Colón · Left Reef · Advanced
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there
Where to stay: Bastimentos is boat-only from Bocas town ($3-5 water taxi). It holds Silverbacks (big-wave right, gun and boat essential) and the beautiful First/Wizard Beach (a boat-and-walk mission). Stay here for the beaches and the wild vibe, or day-trip from Bocas town. No shops, bring everything.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Bastimentos & the outer isles guide.
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