Last updated on November 17th, 2023 at 11:38 am
In this post you will find the best surf spots in Ecuador for beginners. It doesn’t really matter what your skill level is; you will surely find good waves here. If you are a complete newbie who just wants to pop up on a surfboard for the first time, there are excellent beginner surf beaches in Ecuador. However, if you are at an intermediate level, there are also some more challenging spots. Ecuador has a diverse coastline, and it receives consistent swells, especially between December and April. Moreover, it is not as crowded as other surf destinations, which makes it an excellent choice for a surf trip.
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In detail, these are the best surf spots in Ecuador for beginners:
Canoa
Canoa is a beautiful beach in Manabi Province, on the West Coast of Ecuador. Back in 2016, it got hit pretty badly by a powerful earthquake but still remained a favorite surf town among both locals and tourists. The long beach strip in Canoa offers multiple peaks with great wave consistency. Usually, when looking from shore on the waves that break in the deep water, it sometimes seems like hard work to paddle out. However, when you are actually in the water, you realize the waves are very soft and mellow. It is easy to paddle, easy to catch, and easy to ride these waves. Therefore, Canoa is one of the best surf spots in Ecuador for beginners and intermediates.
For details about beginner surf camps in Ecuador, please click here.
Montanita
Montanita is definitely the surf capital of Ecuador. It literally offers everything a surfer would want on a surf trip. You will find accommodations for all budgets, shops, restaurants, incredible nightlife, and, of course, epic surfing here. The main spot here is the right hand point break on the north part of the beach. This is truly a world-class wave and, therefore, can get crowded sometimes. If you want to find a wave just for yourself, you can just choose any of the peaks in front of town. On a big swell, both the point and the beach break can be powerful. However, on an average day and below, it is suitable for any skill level. Moreover, you can always sit down in the lineup and catch the smaller waves. Montanita is also a great place to take a surf lesson or rent boards; you can easily find it on the beach.
For details about beginner surf camps in Montanita, please click here.
Mompiche
Mompiche, a small fishing village in North Ecuador, is home to one of the best surf spots in Latin America. Whenever a north swell hits the Ecuadorian Coastline, this left-hand point break produces the most perfect waves you can imagine. It starts with the first section, far in the deep water. This one is powerful, hollow, and definitely not beginner-friendly. However, the wave is long and can last for 1 full minute. Therefore, you can catch it anywhere along the way and enjoy a long, mellow ride. The further down you sit, the smaller the wave will be, so just choose your takeoff zone according to your skill level.
Apart from surfing, there is not much to do here in Mompiche. Therefore, it is best to wait for a good swell, come here to surf it, and then move on to one of the other surf towns in the country.
For details about beginner surf camps in Ecuador, please click here.
Ayampe
The beach break in Ayampe is probably the most consistent one in the country. The waves seem to break here on a daily basis, regardless of seasonality or swell direction. For that reason, surfers tend to come to Ayampe on the small days when the other surf spots are flat. The waves here are suitable for any skill level. You may not find a perfect point break or epic barrels here, but you can definitely enjoy riding some nice waves in a relaxed “hippie” town. Moreover, you can easily find here boards to rent, surf lessons, and great company to surf with.
For details about beginner surf camps in Ecuador, please click here.
Olon
The little town of Olon has one of the best beginner surf beaches in Ecuador. It is situated close to Montanita, just on the other side of the mountains. But unlike its neighboring party town, Olon offers a much more relaxed vibe. This is a quiet place for those looking to escape from the crowds and the noise. The long beach strip in Olon offers many different peaks, all breaking over a sandy bottom. The waves are pretty soft and very suitable for novice or intermediate surfers. There are also several options for accommodations in town, but you can also come here just to spend the day.
For details about beginner surf camps in Ecuador, please click here.
What to Bring for a Beginner Surf Trip to Ecuador?
Here is a complete gear list for the perfect beginner surf vacation:
1. Travel Insurance– For the best insurance by World Nomads, please click here.
2. Surfboard Bag– If you bring your own surfboard, you must have a good bag to protect it. Check out UCEDER, for example, which offers great value for money.
3. Surfboard Wax– Check out Sticky Bumps on Amazon.
4. Sunscreen– For tropical sun, use no less than EltaMD UV.
5. Surf Shorts/Surf Bikinis– Check out Hurley for new shorts and CUPSHE for surf Bikinis.
6. T-shirts and beach wear– Look for the new collection at Hurley.
7. Rash Guard– Protect your body with a good rash guard like BALEAF for men and AXESEA for women.
8. Surf Hat– To keep your head in the shade, try O&E Ocean and Earth Surf Hats.
9. Surf Booties– You will need a good pair of surf boots only if you surf over a sharp reef or in really cold water. Check out O’Neill Split Toe Booties.
10. Surfboard Leash– It is always good to have an extra leash just in case. Check out Ho Stevie Surf Leash.
11. Towel/Poncho– If you want a nice poncho, look at SUN CUBE Surf Poncho.
For more gear options and greater selections, look for our surf gear guides.
How to Prepare for a Beginner Surf Trip to Ecuador?
As a beginner surfing in Ecuador, you are going to face a few challenges. The waves breaking on your head, the currents, and the unstable surfboard can sometimes be hard to handle. Therefore, to make it easier on yourself, preparing your body and mind for the challenge is crucial. Here is what you can do to ensure you are in perfect shape and ready to shred:
1. Take an online surf course– You can practice great online surf exercises to work on the relevant muscles and improve your fitness. Check out Surf Strength Coach and Surfing Made Simple; both are great online surf programs that can help get you ready for your surf trip to Ecuador.
2. Sign up for a surf camp– Why deal with the ocean alone when you can be surrounded by people just like yourself and get advice from professional coaches? To find the best beginner surf camps in Ecuador, click here.
Conclusion- Final Thought
To sum up, these are the best surf spots in Ecuador for beginners. As a novice surfer, you can find here exactly the kind of waves that will help you learn and improve faster. The swells are not giants, and there are no shallow coral reefs, so it is fair to say that Ecuador is a very beginner-friendly surf destination. On top of that, the crowds in the water are really not as bad as in other countries. Add to that the low prices of food and accommodations, and you got yourself an excellent choice for your next surf trip.
Before you leave, you might want to read our post about the best surf camps in Ecuador, or the one about surf resorts in Ecuador.
