La Bocana - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (November - February)

This is the golden window at La Bocana. The North Pacific high-pressure system strengthens, driving consistent offshore winds from the N, NNE, and NW quadrants. Combined with Southern Hemisphere groundswell arriving from the SSW and S directions, the result is clean, long-period swells (12-13s) wrapping into the bay. Ideal wind percentages hover at 70% in Nov-Dec and remain above 60% through Feb. Expect fun, rippable waves in the 1-1.5m range, with occasional bigger sets. The water is warm, the crowd is manageable, and the conditions are as reliable as it gets.

Fair Surf Season (March - April & July - October)

During spring and fall, the trade wind patterns become more variable. In March and April, the average swell height edges up to 1.2m and periods stretch to 14s, but ideal wind drops to near 57-59%, making for a mix of clean mornings and afternoon onshores. July offers a surprising return of good conditions, with 63% offshore winds and consistent 1.3m S-SSW swell. August through October sees a gradual transition: swell remains solid (1.3-1.4m, 13s), but ideal wind percentages dip to 52-59%. The best sessions come during strong high-pressure setups that lock in northerly flows.

Low Surf Season (May - June & September)

These months represent the trough of wind reliability. While the swell is at its annual peak (1.4m average with periods of 13-14s), ideal offshore winds only blow 52% of the time. The Intertropical Convergence Zone shifts north, increasing humidity and promoting onshore southerly flows that can chop up the surface. However, when a cold front pushes down from the north or a strong high settles in, La Bocana can still deliver powerful, long-period waves – it just requires more patience and careful forecast watching.

August: Late Summer Swell

August keeps the momentum going with an average swell of 1.4m and a period of 13.2s. The swell is still dominated by SSW (78.2%) and S (16.4%), with a modest SW component (5.1%). Wave heights are once again in the fun zone: 56.8% 1-1.5m, 18.9% 1.5-2m. However, ideal offshore wind drops to 58% – a slight decrease from July. The wind pattern shows a strengthening of the E/ESE trades (9.3% E, 7.0% ESE) which are side-offshore for La Bocana's south-facing orientation. Offshore NNE and NE are still significant (7.1% and 7.6%). Onshore winds from S, SSW, and SW remain low (total ~12%). The consistent swell and manageable winds make August a reliable month for surf, especially in the mornings when NW flows (8%) calm the surface. Expect classic Salvadoran conditions: warm water, long rides, and a fun crowd.