El Salvador Surf Breaks
This is a guide to El Salvador's surf breaks — from the world-class right-hand point at Punta Roca to the long, punchy walls of El Sunzal, La Bocana, El Zonte, K59, K61 and Mizata in La Libertad, plus Las Flores and Punta Mango further along the coast. The country's best and most consistent waves sit across two main surfing regions, Las Flores and La Libertad: point-breaks, river-mouths and beach-breaks for every level, from first-timers to advanced surfers chasing a barrel.
The surfing in Las Flores includes point-breaks and beach-breaks. The point-breaks in this region are volcanic formations with sandy bottom. This has been a more remote location than La Libertad and there are some waves not very frequented yet.
In La Libertad there's a variety of waves including point-breaks, river-mouths and beach-breaks, for longboard and beginner waves. Besides all the waves listed here, there are some others that break good on the right swell direction, without mentioning some good beach-breaks that work good on small swells.
The Waves in Las Flores Region
Las Flores
A volcanic rocky point and sandy bottom, this wave breaks as machine, very consistent and has a smooth take off on the hightides but hollow on low tides, this wave can be ridden for up to 200 yards. Las Flores is known as one of the most rippable right-hand wave in Central America, this wave can hold up to triple overhead waves.
Punta Mango
This is a powerful right cobblestone point break w/200yds rides when on. Punta Mango wave offers a fast take off with a hollow barrel inside section. Wave starts working on a 3ft+ swell and all tides, but 4-7 ft SW is best, on big days be prepared and bring your step up.
La Vaca
This is a short wave but very powerful on the takeoff. On the right swell this is a wave full of power with a nice barrel section.
El Toro
This wave starts working on 4ft + swell. This wave breaks in deeper water with a steep but forgiving take off and offers long lines with rides of up to 200yds when on, with its long face wall this is a very carvable wave. There are a few other waves in the area that work on special conditions.
Punta Bongo
This is another right hand pointbreak that works on special conditions, when it’s going off can be compared with Las Flores wave. On good days this wave offers rides of 100 + yards.
The Waves in La Libertad Region
Punta Roca or Punta Chilama
This is a world-class wave that draws comparisons to J-Bay, Noosa, and other standout right-hand, rock-bottom pointbreaks, holds any size of waves.
La Paz
La Paz is the inside section of Punta Roca. La Paz is the easier, softer side of the wave and tends to draw surfers not quite ready for the more serious waves a couple hundred yards north. This is a good wave for longboarding or for beginners to get into their first waves.
Sunzal
Extremely consistent quasi-world class rock-bottom right point. Tends to be a favorite of San Salvadoran weekend warriors, so with a bit of tact and skill you can have your pick of waves even when it's crowded.
La Bocana
Extremely consistent river mouth wave breaking over a cobblestone bottom. This is the most consistent left-hand wave in the country, it breaks good almost at any tide.
Zonte
This is a right-hand point break with beautiful settings of the headlands, this is one of the best spots because it breaks well in any swell direction.
K 59
Right-hand point. It is in a gated community of beach houses, but the break is a rock bottom that has good hollow waves. Best at mid-incoming tide.
K 61
Is the neighbor wave of K59. Another Right-hand pointbreak, less consistent than K59, but with the right swell direction and tide can be compared with the inside of Punta Roca.
Mizata
Right and left point break which can break very good on 3-5ft swells. This is another of the desolated surf spots. This break offers right and left waves. This spot consists in two sections which are a right hand pointbreak and A frame beachbreak.
