Last updated on November 15th, 2023 at 03:55 pm
If you are after the best surf spots in Panama for beginners, you will find them right here. In this post, we listed our top 5 beginner surf beaches in Panama, where you can learn, practice, and improve your surfing without worrying about difficulties and dangers.
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So, in detail, these are the main beginner surf spots in Panama:
Bocas del Toro
Every winter, between December and March, The Caribbean Coast comes to life and receives beautiful and consistent swells. When that happens, there is no better place to be than Bocas del Toro. With a great selection of breaks, restaurants, shops, and crazy nightlife, Bocas offers everything a surfer would want on a surf trip. Although most of the surf spots here are powerful and challenging, few of them are actually remarkable for beginners.
Punta Carenero, for example, is a punchy left point break that produces epic barrels. However, on the inside part of this spot, there is a beginner-friendly break called Old Man’s. It is actually the same wave but with much less power and a more forgiving takeoff zone. Another Great beginner spot is Long Beach in Isla Bastimentos. Here, you can get some long, mellow rides over a soft sandy bottom.
Like every surf town that respects itself, in Bocas del Toro, you will easily find boards to rent, surf lessons, and surf shops as well.
For details about beginner surf camps in Bocas del Toro, please click here.
Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina is probably the most famous spot on the Pacific Coast of Panama. It receives consistent swells year-round and offers high-quality surf for all skill levels. Even though the main reef here is suitable mainly for advanced surfers, there are also beginner-friendly breaks around.
The main spot for learning and practicing is El Estero, which is situated right in front of town. It is a typical beach break that opens to both right and left, offering an easy drop and mellow ride. For that reason, lots of surf lessons take place here every day.
If you feel like challenging yourself a little more, you can head to the main reef and sit down in the corner of the lineup. That will allow you to catch the “leftovers” of the main break and get some soft rides on the broken waves before they fade out. Also, paddling out here is pretty easy as you can go around the reef.
For details about beginner surf camps in Santa Catalina, please click here.
Playa Venao
Playa Venao is a beautiful bay on the Pacific Coast. It is a tranquil place surrounded by rainforests and offers a wild and authentic surf travel experience. On top of that, Venao is one of the best surf spots in Panama for both beginners and experienced surfers. Actually, you can choose the wave size according to the swell and your skill level.
For instance, the waves are always bigger and more powerful in the middle of the bay. However, as you go to the sides of the bay, the waves get smaller and softer. Therefore, as a newbie, you can start by practicing on the sides, and as you get more confidence, head toward the middle of the bay for better waves.
Within a short drive from Venao, you can also find other great beach breaks as well, such as Playa Guanico.
For details about beginner surf camps in Playa Venao, please click here.
Playa El Palmar
This beach is much less popular than the previous one and is primarily famous among locals. You will find this spot on the Central Pacific Coast, just next to San Carlos. Depending on the swell conditions, you can choose between 3 different breaks. The first one is Frente Palmar, the second is called Punta Palmar, and the third is Hawaiisito. El Palmar is an excellent choice for adventure travelers looking for places off the beaten truck. It offers consistent waves, warm water, and even a small restaurant and a surf school.
For more details about beginner surf camps in Panama, please click here.
Playa Cambutal
Playa Cambutal is another great beginner surf beach on Panama’s Pacific side. This area is pretty isolated and remote and, therefore, rarely crowded. Along the bay, you will find an exciting variety of surf spots. While some are beginner-friendly beach breaks, there are also point breaks and barreling waves. Therefore, Playa Cambutal is suitable for any type of surfer. A great place to stay here is Sansara Surf and Yoga Resort, which also offers Yoga retreats and surf lessons.
For more details about beginner surf camps in Panama, please click here.
How to Prepare for a Beginner Surf Trip to Panama?
As a beginner surfing in Panama, 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 Panama.
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 Panama, click here.
What to Bring for a Beginner Surf Trip to Panama?
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.
Conclusion- Final Thought
In summary, these are our best choices for beginner surf spots in Panama. Sure, there are probably other great beaches for beginners along the coastline, but most of them are remote and hard to get. Moreover, as surfers, we depend on the changing swells and never know exactly what we will get. But you can be sure that after surfing for a few days in any of these spots, your surfing will improve drastically.
Before you go, don’t forget to visit our post about the best surf camps in Panama, and also the one about surf resorts in Panama.
