Best Surf Beaches in Panama: Why Santa Catalina Is #1 All Year Round
If you’re planning a surf trip to Central America, one thing is worth knowing right away: Santa Catalina is the best surf spot in Panama and the only place with truly consistent waves all year round. While other destinations come in and out of season, Santa Catalina keeps delivering solid swell, warm water and a perfect mix of waves for both advanced surfers and total beginners.
On top of that, Santa Catalina is the main gateway to Coiba National Park, one of the most impressive marine reserves in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. Here you’ll find in-depth guides to Coiba Island, Panama and the village of Santa Catalina, Panama, but in this article we’ll stay focused on one thing: helping you understand the best surf beaches in Panama – starting, of course, with Santa Catalina at the top of the list.
There’s one more key point: before you think about rental cars or long-distance buses, there is now a much smarter way to get close to the best waves. Instead of spending 6–9 hours on the road from Panama City, you can fly directly to Lago Bay Airstrip, a private coastal airstrip near Santa Catalina, and arrive with far more energy and time left to surf. We’ll explain that route in detail below.
Why Santa Catalina Is the Best Surf Spot in Panama
There are several surf destinations scattered across Panama – Playa Venao, Cambutal, Morro Negrito, Bocas del Toro and more – but none of them combine as many positive factors as Santa Catalina:
- Year-round wave consistency on the Pacific coast
- World-class point break at La Punta for experienced surfers
- Friendly beach break at Playa El Estero for beginners and intermediates
- Perfect base for exploring Coiba Island and its marine wildlife
- Laid-back surf community, simple village atmosphere and access to nature
International surf and travel guides often describe Santa Catalina as one of the most reliable and powerful surf spots on Panama’s Pacific coast. At the same time, the village still feels authentic – a far cry from overdeveloped party beaches.
If you want ideas for what to do in the area on flat days or between sessions, check out this curated guide to things to do in Santa Catalina and around Coiba, from hiking and boat trips to snorkeling and diving.
And if you plan to use Santa Catalina as your base for visiting Coiba, these pages are essential:
Santa Catalina: La Punta and Playa El Estero
In Santa Catalina you essentially get two complementary surf scenarios that make the village work for very different types of surfers: La Punta, a serious, world-class wave for experienced riders, and Playa El Estero, a long, forgiving beach break with a sandy bottom.
La Punta: World-Class Point Break for Experienced Surfers
La Punta is the main reason Santa Catalina appears in so many surf stories and photo galleries. It’s a powerful right-hand point break (with occasional left sections), breaking over rock and reef, with long walls and, on the right day, serious barrels.
Key characteristics of La Punta include:
- Best suited for advanced intermediates and experienced surfers
- Shallow sections over reef and rock – booties are highly recommended
- Long paddle-outs on bigger days and a line-up with solid wave power
- Less crowded than ultra-famous global spots, but with a relatively high surfing level in the water
For more technical details about the wave, conditions and safety tips, take a look at the dedicated guide: Surf La Punta – expert wave spot in Santa Catalina.
When choosing where to stay, it’s worth picking accommodation that gives you easy access to both La Punta and Playa El Estero. The curated list of hotels and places to stay near Coiba and Santa Catalina includes options for different budgets, all positioned well for surfers who like dawn patrol sessions.
Playa El Estero: Best Beach for Learning to Surf in Santa Catalina
While La Punta can be intense, Playa El Estero is the perfect counterbalance: a long, dark-sand beach with a gentle beach break, user-friendly waves and plenty of space.
Why Playa El Estero is such a special spot for beginners and progressing surfers:
- Sandy bottom, with no exposed reef in the primary take-off zones
- Usually smaller, softer waves – ideal for surf schools, longboards and foamies
- Wide beach, easy paddle-outs and lots of room to spread out
- Relaxed atmosphere with board rentals and lessons available right on the beach
For more details on tides, seasons and what to expect across the year, see the dedicated guide to Playa El Estero – best surf spot for beginners in Santa Catalina.
Put together, La Punta + Playa El Estero make Santa Catalina incredibly versatile. You can travel with friends at very different levels, with your family or partner, and everyone can still find waves that match their comfort zone – without having to change towns or drive hours every day.
How to Get to Santa Catalina Faster (and Why Flying Is Better Than Driving)
Looking at the map, driving from Panama City to Santa Catalina might seem straightforward. In practice, though, it’s a long day on the road – typically 6–9 hours depending on traffic, stops and route changes.
For surf travelers, that usually means losing almost an entire day just to arrive, and another whole day to get back.
If your goal is to maximize water time, the best option today is to fly to Lago Bay Airstrip first, and only then continue to Santa Catalina.
Flying to Lago Bay Airstrip: The Smart Route for Surfers
Lago Bay Airstrip is a private coastal airstrip on Panama’s Pacific coast, located very close to Santa Catalina. Instead of a long, tiring drive, you can:
- Fly by small plane or charter from Panama City (often from Albrook – PAC) to Lago Bay Airstrip in roughly 45–60 minutes
- Land right in a natural setting close to the shoreline
Beyond the time savings, the scenic flight along Panama’s Pacific coast is a highlight in itself – you get aerial views of mangroves, islands and protected coastline that you’d never see from the highway.
For more details about pricing, aircraft types and how charters and empty legs work, check the dedicated page for charter flights to Lago Bay Airstrip.
Coiba-Island.com also offers a step-by-step guide focused specifically on flying:
Driving and Bus Options (When You Really Can’t Fly)
If, for any reason, you can’t fly, you can still reach Santa Catalina by:
- Rental car: usually 6–7 hours from Panama City, with mixed road conditions in some sections.
- Bus: a combination of long-distance buses and local connections (often via Santiago and Soná), which can easily take 7–9 hours or more.
Even so, for a short or time-sensitive surf trip, the recommendation is clear:
Whenever possible, fly first to Lago Bay Airstrip and use the hours you’d spend on the road to catch extra waves in Santa Catalina.
For a full breakdown of route options – including when you actually need to use car or bus – you can follow the step-by-step guide (Spanish version) here:
Other Surf Beaches in Panama (Beyond Santa Catalina)
Santa Catalina is by far the most complete and consistent surf destination in Panama. Still, if you have more time on your trip, it’s worth checking out other beaches that also produce quality waves in different parts of the country.
Playa Venao: Surf Village Vibes and Consistent Beach Break
Playa Venao, on the Azuero Peninsula, is one of Panama’s best-known surf beaches after Santa Catalina. It’s a long, horseshoe-shaped bay with a consistent beach break and several peaks along the shore.
Why so many surfers love Playa Venao:
- Waves break along most of the bay, providing plenty of take-off zones
- Good options for beginners, intermediates and more advanced surfers depending on swell size
- Laid-back “surf village” feel with surf schools, hostels, boutique hotels and cafés
- Light nightlife – ideal if you want a mix of surf, social life and relaxation
The official Panama tourism site has a dedicated page for Playa Venao that highlights its consistency and surf infrastructure, and the national surfing in Panama guide also mentions Venao among the top Pacific spots.
Cambutal: Powerful Waves and Fewer Crowds
Also on the Azuero Peninsula, further south, Cambutal is a dream destination if you like powerful waves and don’t mind being somewhere more remote.
What to expect in Cambutal:
- Strong beach and point breaks that can handle solid swell
- Dramatic coastline with mountains, lush vegetation and minimal development
- A more “raw” experience, perfect for surfers who want to unplug and focus on waves, nature and rest
Because it’s more isolated, Cambutal usually has fewer crowds than more famous destinations, at the cost of extra planning for transport and lodging.
Morro Negrito: Remote Island Surf Camp Experience
Morro Negrito, on Panama’s western Pacific coast, is best known for its island-based surf camps. Instead of staying in a town, you usually sleep on small islands and then access several nearby breaks by boat.
Highlights of Morro Negrito:
- Different types of waves within a relatively small boat radius
- Immersive surf camp setup focused on surfing, eating and resting
- Great for surfers who have already tried the more obvious routes and want something different
Bocas del Toro: Caribbean Reef Breaks
On Panama’s Caribbean side, Bocas del Toro offers a completely different setting from the Pacific beaches. Instead of long sandy beach breaks, you’ll find:
- Reef breaks with fast, sometimes heavy waves
- Multiple surf spots around islands like Bastimentos, all accessible by water taxi
- Classic Caribbean scenery: turquoise water, tropical vegetation, colorful wooden houses and a more festive vibe
Bocas del Toro tends to work best during Caribbean swell windows, which makes it a fun complement to a Pacific-focused trip. In some seasons you might plan one leg of your journey around waves in Santa Catalina, Venao and Cambutal, and another around reef breaks in Bocas.
Where to Stay and Eat Near the Best Waves
Where to Stay for Surfing Santa Catalina and Visiting Coiba
If you want to surf hard in Santa Catalina and also keep the option open for side trips to Coiba, choosing the right base is crucial. The easiest starting point is this curated list:
There you’ll find:
- Accommodation for different types of travelers – couples, solo surfers, families, groups
- Locations that work well whether you want to be closer to La Punta or Playa El Estero
- Places that make it easy to wake up early, grab your board and walk straight to the surf
If you love the idea of combining surf, nature and quick access to the airstrip, consider the Lago Bay area as a strategic base. Staying close to Lago Bay Airstrip makes arrivals and departures smoother when you choose to fly instead of drive.
Best Places to Eat in Santa Catalina After a Surf Session
After a long session at La Punta or a full day of first waves at Playa El Estero, you’ll need solid food and good coffee. Instead of guessing where to go, use this local list:
There you’ll see:
- Restaurants serving fresh fish and seafood, local Panamanian dishes and international options
- Places with vegetarian and vegan-friendly choices
- Cafés, smoothie spots and bakeries perfect for pre- or post-surf fuel
Combining Coiba and Surf: The Ultimate Panama Ocean Trip
One of the great advantages of choosing Santa Catalina as your main base is that you’re just a boat ride away from one of the most spectacular marine parks in Central America: Coiba National Park.
Even if your main focus is surfing, it’s absolutely worth carving out a full day or more to:
- Snorkel in clear water over vibrant reefs
- Look for turtles, rays, large schools of fish and, in some seasons, dolphins and whales
- Walk on wild, almost untouched islands with forest and empty beaches
To organize this without guesswork, use the Coiba-Island.com resources:
Just like with surf, flying into Lago Bay Airstrip is the smartest way to start this kind of trip. You cut hours off your transfer time and gain an extra day that can be used for either surfing in Santa Catalina or exploring the islands and reefs of Coiba.
Practical Tips for Surfers Traveling to Panama
To wrap things up, here are a few practical tips that can make a real difference to your surf experience in Panama:
- Match your region to the time of year: The central Pacific coast (Santa Catalina, Playa Venao, Cambutal) offers good swell consistency through much of the year, while the Caribbean (Bocas del Toro) depends on specific Caribbean swell windows.
- Choose Santa Catalina if you want the safest year-round bet: If your priority is the highest possible chance of good waves in any month, Santa Catalina is your best all-season option.
- Bring the right boards for each spot: For La Punta, many surfers like slightly more volume and paddle power to handle longer walls and bigger days. For Playa El Estero, longboards, funboards and soft tops are ideal for learning and progressing.
- Respect the reef and consider booties: In reef breaks like La Punta, and in some Caribbean spots around Bocas del Toro, wearing booties can save you from nasty cuts.
- Take sun protection seriously: Panama is close to the equator. Use a long-sleeve rash guard, a surf hat if you have one, and plenty of reef-safe sunscreen.
- Save time by flying whenever you can: Especially on shorter trips, flying to Lago Bay Airstrip and then continuing to Santa Catalina is by far the best way to turn a tight schedule into a high-density surf trip.
FAQ – Surfing in Panama (Santa Catalina and Beyond)
What is the best surf beach in Panama all year round?
The best surf beach in Panama all year round is Santa Catalina. It combines La Punta, a powerful world-class point break for experienced surfers, with Playa El Estero, a forgiving sandy beach break for beginners and intermediates. This mix of consistent swell, warm water and different types of waves makes Santa Catalina the most reliable all-season surf destination in Panama.
Is it better to fly, drive or take a bus to Santa Catalina?
If you want to maximize surf time, it is always better to fly to Santa Catalina instead of driving or taking a bus. The smartest route is to fly from Panama City to Lago Bay Airstrip and then take a short transfer to Santa Catalina. Driving or using public buses can take 6–9 hours each way, which means losing almost two full days of your Panama surf trip in transit instead of catching waves.
Is Santa Catalina a good place for beginner surfers and surf lessons?
Yes, Santa Catalina is a great place for beginner surfers thanks to Playa El Estero. This long sandy beach offers softer, more forgiving waves, plenty of space for surf lessons and easy paddle-outs, making it ideal for first-timers and progressing surfers. La Punta, by contrast, is a heavy reef point break better suited to advanced intermediates and experienced surfers who are comfortable in powerful waves.
Where should I stay if I want to surf in Santa Catalina and visit Coiba Island?
The best place to stay if you want to surf in Santa Catalina and visit Coiba Island is in or near the village of Santa Catalina itself. From there you have easy access to both La Punta and Playa El Estero, as well as daily boat tours to Coiba. Many travelers choose surf-friendly guesthouses and hotels close to the beach, while others stay near Lago Bay to combine nature, quick access to Lago Bay Airstrip and short transfers to Santa Catalina.
Which other surf beaches in Panama should I visit besides Santa Catalina?
Besides Santa Catalina, some of the best surf beaches in Panama are Playa Venao, Cambutal, Morro Negrito and Bocas del Toro. Playa Venao is a consistent beach break with a fun surf village vibe, Cambutal offers powerful waves and fewer crowds on a remote coastline, Morro Negrito is known for its island-based surf camps, and Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean side has several fast reef breaks scattered across different islands.
