Careneros - surf spot statistics

Careneros in Panama is primarily a windswell-dominated spot, with very little ground swell influence throughout the year. The best months for surfers are typically from December through March, when swell consistency and wind conditions are most favorable. During these months, windswell makes up 97-98% of the waves, with negligible ground swell, and mean swell sizes range between 1.3m and 1.5m. Wind conditions are relatively good, with favorable winds occurring 56-60% of the time, though there’s still a notable chance of poor wind days, especially in March when offshore winds are slightly more frequent. Swell size begins to drop in April, averaging 1.1m, and wind reliability decreases, making early-year months more consistent. May through November sees a decline in quality, with September and October being particularly weak—swell size drops to 0.7m-0.8m, and wind conditions worsen significantly, with bad winds occurring over 50-63% of the time. July stands out as a minor exception in the mid-year slump, with a small swell uptick (1.4m) and slightly improved winds. Overall, the ideal window is December to March, offering the most reliable size and better wind odds, though surfers should be prepared for some onshore interference, given that bad winds still occur 40-44% of the time even in peak months. Late-season surf (September-November) is generally poor due to weak swells and unfavorable winds.

April at Careneros offers generally favorable surfing conditions, with an average swell height of 1.1m and a decent period of 7.8s, providing consistent, rideable waves. The dominant swell direction comes from the NE and ENE, delivering the most frequent and sizable waves—approximately 19.5% of NE swells fall in the 1-1.5m range, while ENE swells account for 21.5% in the same category. Larger waves (1.5-2.5m) are less frequent but still occur, mainly from these directions. Wind conditions are surfable 55% of the time, with the most common favorable winds being light to moderate (under 20kph) from the W and WNW. However, stronger winds from W/NW can occasionally disrupt conditions. Overall, April provides solid intermediate-friendly waves with good consistency, though session selection around wind shifts will maximize clean conditions.