Playa Cambutal - surf spot statistics

Playa Cambutal in Panama offers consistent surf conditions year-round, with ground swells dominating the wave energy nearly every month. The swell is highly reliable, with ground swell percentages ranging from 89% in January to 100% in April, ensuring quality waves almost daily. Wind swells are minimal, contributing less than 11% at most, and there’s virtually no flat spell, making it a dependable destination for surfers. The mean swell size hovers between 1.3m and 1.5m, with the largest waves occurring from April to October, peaking at 1.5m during these months. However, wind conditions are the main variable affecting surf quality. Good offshore or light wind days are relatively scarce, with the best odds in July (37% good winds) and November-December (35-36%). The worst wind conditions prevail from January to March, where only around 23-24% of days have favorable winds. April through August sees a slight improvement, with good wind chances between 30-37%, though onshore winds still dominate. Overall, the best months to surf Playa Cambutal are likely April through August, when swell size is slightly larger and wind conditions are marginally better, especially in July. November and December also offer decent wind windows, paired with solid ground swell consistency. While waves are rideable year-round, mid-year months provide the most optimal balance of swell size and wind conditions for high-quality sessions.

May at Playa Cambutal offers decent surf conditions with a moderate, long-period swell and variable wind patterns. The average swell height is 1.5m, with a strong 15s period, ensuring well-spaced, powerful waves. The majority of swell comes from the SSW (36.4% in the 1-1.5m range) and SW (14.6% in the same range), delivering consistent, rideable waves, while slightly larger swells (1.5-2.5m) occur frequently enough to challenge advanced surfers. However, wind conditions are hit-or-miss—only 32% of the time are they ideal for surfing. Onshore winds from the WSW and SW dominate, often blowing in the 10-30kph range, which can create choppy conditions. Early mornings or days with lighter winds provide the best windows for clean, organized waves. Overall, May is a solid month for intermediate to advanced surfers who can handle occasionally unruly winds and some size variations.