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.

In August, Careneros offers fairly consistent surf with an average swell height of 1.1m and a decent period of 8.3s, providing moderately clean, rideable waves. The swell predominantly comes from NE and ENE directions, with the majority of waves in the 0.5–1.5m range (about 48% of the time). Larger waves (1.5–2.5m) occur roughly 12% of the time, mainly from NE swells, offering occasional punchier sections for more experienced surfers. Wind conditions are favorable for surfing 56% of the time, with optimal offshore or light onshore winds frequently coming from W, WNW, or NW directions. However, stronger onshore winds (20–30kph) from W/WNW can occasionally disrupt conditions. Overall, August delivers a mix of playful waist-to-chest-high surf with some head-high sets, best suited for intermediate surfers, particularly when winds align.