Isla Colón · Panama
Surfing Paunch
A left & right reef in Isla Colón, Panama, for intermediate and advanced surfers.
Paunch is a reef on Isla Colón, a 10 to 15 minute drive from Bocas town, and one of the best all-round waves in the archipelago. The left starts with a hollow section at the takeoff and then wraps into an open wall. It's fun when small and gets much heavier on a bigger swell. A few rights come off the same peak, which helps share it out.
It works on a north-east swell at most tides. The reef is sharp and shallow, so reef boots are a must.
When to surf
Paunch
Paunch is at its best from December to March. Conditions it likes: Swell NE, reef boots, all tides.
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 Paunch
Dumpers
3 kmIsla Colón · Left Reef · Advanced
Careñeros
4 kmIsla Colón · Left Point · Beginner / Intermediate
Bluff
5 kmIsla Colón · Beach Break · Intermediate / Advanced
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there
Where to stay: Base in Bocas town on Isla Colón, it's small, walkable and the hub for water taxis to every break (Paunch, Bluff, Careñeros). Share taxis to Paunch and Bluff, small boats to the islands. Bocas town has a couple of surf shops with rental boards, but bring your own good board (and a gun for Silverbacks). Reef boots for Paunch and Dumpers.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Isla Colón guide.
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