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.

July at Careneros offers fair to good surfing conditions with a dominant swell from the northeast and east-northeast. The average swell height is 1.4m with a solid 8.7s period, providing consistent, rideable waves. The majority of waves fall in the 1-1.5m range (36.86% from NE), with a notable portion in the 1.5-2m range (19.53% NE, 7.06% ENE), making it suitable for intermediate to advanced surfers looking for some power. Wind conditions are favorable 59% of the time, predominantly light to moderate (below 20kph). The most frequent wind directions are WNW (18.92% in 10-20kph range) and NW (11.18% in 10-20kph), which can create some cross-shore or slightly onshore effects depending on the spot's exposure. Expect clean to semi-choppy conditions, with the best sessions likely during lighter wind windows. Overall, July delivers workable waves with decent shape, though not epic—ideal for those willing to hunt for the better sessions.