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Surf Events in Panama 2026
In April 2026, Panama will host several Surfing Events in Playa Venao, starting with the IV South American Youth Games (April 12-16) and the XIX Pan American Surf Games (April 24-May 3).
Upcoming Surf Events in Panama:
- IV South American Youth Games (JSJ 2026) was April 12–16, 2026, in Playa Venao, featuring athletes from South America and Panama.
- XIX Pan American Surf Games: Scheduled for April 24 – May 3, 2026. This major event serves as a qualifier for the Junior Categories (often under 16/18) and includes Shortboard, Longboard, and SUP.
- Local/National Junior Events: Regular national circuit events by the Panama Surf Association.
Panama has a variety of beaches for surfing. Panama’s Pacific coast offers surf spots for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced surfers.
While Panama is a known surf destination, swells on the Pacific Coast start in April and are more consistent on the Azuero Peninsula than in the Bay of Chame. With many family-friendly surf beaches and intermediate surf breaks to choose from, the Pacific Coast offers empty lineups and friendly people.World-Class waves for the Entire Family
The rainy season in Panama also brings the start of more swells along the Pacific Coast of Panama. Coronado is an ideal place for families looking to surf in Panama. There are several family-friendly breaks in Rivera Pacifica, from Punta Chame to Rio Hato, and even more along the Azuero Peninsula, including the world-class beach break Playa Venao, which just hosted the PanAmerican Games.
When to go surfing in Panama
The Pacific surf season in Panama typically picks up when the rain arrives at the end April. In 2026, surf season began with two large swells on the Pacific Coast in mid-April. Typically, Pacific swells get more consistent in June & July. Depending on the surf break, it is important to know if it is a high tide or a low tide spot.
Where to go surfing in Panama 2026 (RIVERA PACIFICA)
Chame Banks offers a large beach break and is about 1.5 hours from Panama City. Since there are many peaks, the wave holds a crowd. Chame Banks is located in front of the beachfront development of Playa Caracol. Playa Caracol is 30 minutes from the end of Punta Chame, a popular spot for kiteboarding. The development offers a wide variety of beachfront real estate. Under development in Playa Caracol are several new amenities, beachfront duplexes, and a beachfront hotel.
Playa Malibu in Gorgona is a river break that offers up lefts and rights. The wave typically breaks with larger swells and requires driving or walking up the beach about 200m to the river mouth. Malibu is not a beginner’s wave; beware of riptides. There is not much development near this beach, and definitely not lifeguards on duty.
Playa Serena is a right-handed point break located in Playa Coronado. Despite being located in a gated community, the beach is public, so anyone can access the waves. Playa Serena is a great beach for families with shaded areas (from the buildings) in the afternoon. The wave is long and typically smaller than other surf breaks, making it great for kids most days (use your judgment). When there is a large swell, this wave can also get big! While the point is rocky, typically the inside area is a sandy bottom.
El Palmar has a right-handed point break and a beach break which a great beginner wave. There are also amenities around the front of El Palmar, giving it that beach town vibe that’s often sought after as much as the wave itself. What’s more, there are several well-established surf schools inside of El Palmar offering surf lessons for all levels, so you can show up and typically get a lesson, of course, depending on if there are waves!
Are you visiting or relocating to Coronado Panama in 2026?
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