Rio Mar & the coast · Panama
Surfing Rocky Point (Punta Barco)
A right reef in Rio Mar & the coast, Panama, for intermediate and advanced surfers.
Rocky Point, at Punta Barco between Teta and Coronado, is mostly rights with a few lefts over rock. It only works on a medium south-west swell: too small and it doesn't break, too big and it closes out.
Because of that narrow window, it's inconsistent and usually uncrowded.
It's best on a medium south-west swell from April to October. The rocks make it a wave for confident surfers. Coronado, a few minutes away, has hotels and restaurants.
When to surf
Rocky Point (Punta Barco)
Rocky Point (Punta Barco) is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: S-SW swell, the right size.
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 Rocky Point (Punta Barco)
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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