Playa Teta - surf spot statistics

Playa Teta in Panama offers consistent surf conditions year-round, though the best months for surfers depend on a balance between swell quality and favorable winds. The spot receives a dominant ground swell, peaking from April to August, with percentages ranging from 70% to 78%, ensuring reliable wave energy. However, wind conditions play a crucial role—while swells are consistent, onshore winds (bad conditions) dominate from January to March and December, with unfavorable winds exceeding 75% of the time. The most promising months are from May to August, when ground swell remains strong (70-77%) and wind conditions improve, with good winds reaching 38-44%. September to November also provide decent opportunities, with ground swell above 69% and good wind chances around 36-39%. The mean swell size is steady at 0.6m throughout the year, making Playa Teta more suitable for intermediate surfers rather than those seeking large waves. For optimal surfing, focus on the mid-year period when swell reliability and wind conditions align best, particularly July and August, where good wind chances peak at 43-44% alongside strong ground swell presence. Early and late year months are less ideal due to higher onshore wind interference, despite decent swell activity.

December at Playa Teta offers generally small but clean surf conditions, with an average swell height of 0.6m and a decent period of 12.5s, ensuring well-spaced, rideable waves. The dominant swell direction is from the SSW (61.44% in the 0.5-1m range), backed by smaller contributions from the S and NNW, meaning most waves are manageable for intermediate surfers and fun for logs or smaller boards. Larger swells (1.5m+) are rare, occurring only 0.03% of the time—expect mostly knee-to-waist-high waves with occasional chest-high sets. Wind conditions are more variable, with ideal offshore or light winds for surfing only 26% of the time. The predominant winds come from the N/NNW at 10-30kph (strongest in this range), which can create chop, but mornings often see lighter winds. The best sessions will likely coincide with SSW swells and early-day lighter winds before northerlies pick up. Overall, December is consistent but not epic—ideal for relaxed surfing rather than high-performance days.