Rio Mar & the coast · Panama
Surfing Playa Malibú
A beach break in Rio Mar & the coast, Panama, for intermediate surfers.
Playa Malibú is a rivermouth beach break near Gorgona, on the coast west of Panama City. It picks up more swell than the beaches around it and works at all tides. When the Chame River shapes the sand well, the waves are fast and hollow.
There are submerged trees at the rivermouth, so ask local surfers before paddling out. It's a popular day trip from Panama City and suits intermediate surfers.
The season runs from April to October, and Gorgona and Coronado nearby have hotels and restaurants.
When to surf
Playa Malibú
Playa Malibú is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: S-SW swell, all tides.
April to June: Good
S-SW swell building; the narrow window means it's smaller than Santa Catalina
July to September: Prime
Peak S-SW season, best NZ lows send the optimum ~210° swell; onshore afternoons
October to November: Good
Onshore south winds increasingly dominate late in the season
December to March: Quiet
Dry season, offshore northerlies, but swells are unreliable and often flat
The year across West Panamá Province
Waves near Playa Malibú
Getting there
Where to stay: This coast is an easy 1-1.5h drive from Panama City down the Pan-American Highway, great bus and taxi links. Base at Rio Mar Surf Camp (on the point) or in Coronado/Gorgona for more choice. The road system is among Central America's best, so a rental car makes spot-hopping easy.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Rio Mar & the coast guide.
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