Surfing Morro Negrito

Left & Right Reef · Best Apr-Oct · 3-8 ft · Crowd 2/5

S-SW swell, high tide

P-Land breaks off the south-west tip of the island at Morro Negrito, on Panama's Pacific coast, over a flat reef. It has fast, hollow lefts and shorter rights, and it's usually bigger than the other spots nearby.

It's best at higher tides on a south-west swell. The takeoff zone is small and it doesn't handle a crowd, but most surfers here are staying at the Morro Negrito camp anyway. Leftovers, further down the reef, is an easier option.

The season runs from April to October, when the south swells arrive. Morro Negrito is a remote island reached by boat from the mainland, and almost everyone who surfs here stays at the surf camp.

Left & Right Reef · Best Apr-Oct · 2-8 ft · Crowd 2/5

Swell S-SW

Nestles is a short, hollow peak about 10 minutes' paddle east of P-Land at Morro Negrito. The right is the better wave, with a steep drop into a short barrel. The left runs towards rocks.

It needs a solid south-west swell and suits experienced surfers looking for a quick barrel. It's reached from the Morro Negrito surf camp, like the other reefs in the area.

It's at its best on a south-west swell from April to October. It's a short paddle from the camp, so it's easy to check between sessions at P-Land.

Reef Break · Best Apr-Oct · 2-6 ft · Crowd 2/5

Swell S-SW

Emily's breaks right in front of the accommodation at Morro Negrito, over sharp reef and rocks covered in barnacles. It changes speed along the wave, with open walls and a few short tubes.

Because you can check it from the camp and paddle straight out, it's the wave people surf most days. It works on a south-west swell. Booties help with the barnacles.

It's at its best on a south-west swell from April to October.

Left Point · Best Apr-Oct · 3-8 ft · Crowd 1/5

Big S-SW swell, low tide

The Point is a 20-minute walk south of the Morro Negrito camp. It needs a sizeable south-west swell, and at lower tides it throws fast, pitching lefts.

It's not an everyday wave. When it works, the walk and the size keep it empty, and it's for confident surfers.

It's a long way from help, so go with someone.

Beach Break · Best Apr-Oct · 2-6 ft · Crowd 1/5

Swell S-SW

Sandbar is the rivermouth just south of the Morro Negrito camp. The river builds a triangle of sand with rides of 200 to 400 metres down either side, depending on the swell direction.

It's fairly consistent even though Coiba island blocks some of the swell, and it has soft shoulders as well as faster sections, so all levels can surf it. Beginners and improvers ride it while the others go to the reefs.

It's the friendliest wave at Morro Negrito, and good for improvers on smaller days. The rides can be very long when the sand lines up, so it's a good wave for longboards.