1 - Playas has seven right points. They are all connected
and you can get to them by walking up the point at low tide from the town in
Playas. The last point is not accessible by walking and it is by far the best.
It is called " El Pelado", and its is a grindy right hand point break,
with three tuby sections. A world class wave. Its breaks on SW to West swells
and is best at low tide.
2 - Salinas By far the best wave in this area is Shit Bay a grinding, tuby left. Its kinda fickle but when it gets good its all time. It needs a huge south swell and very low tide. Go to the south end of Salinas and try and get onto the MIlitary base. If they won't let you on you can rent boat to take you for about 20 USD. A very thick and voluminous wave that comes from deep water onto a shallow reef. To see a photo of this spot
Click Here
3 - Montanita Is by far the most consistent wave on the
coast. Its a barreling right hander at low tide, and super fun hot dog wave
at low tide. Best on norths, but its also really good on south swells. Best
at medium tide, unless the swell direction is just right and then its a heavy
barrel wave at low tide. Due to its centralized location amoung a variety
of surf spots Montanita is a good place to have as home base. Talk to Randy
Hood, a Californian who owns a cool little hotel right in front of the Point
called " La Casa Del Sol".
You can check his web site at www.casasol.com
4 - Rinconada A good righthander, much shorter than Montanita
but the takeoff is tuby. This place is impossible to find if you don't
know the area. Its takes a north swell, with a medium tide, no wind. The
swell cannot be too big or too small. The best way to get here to stay
in Montanita, and have them take you to the spot. The road is real bad
4x4 only if you can make it. No photo, sorry guys.
5 - Rio Chico A super left when the conditions are right.
It takes a super low tide, Sw to West swell and glassy conditions. Mushy
takeoff with an inside tube section. Very nice hotel and restaurant on
the point. Look for a sign called Piqueros. Super cool place and a fun
wave.
6 Las Tunas ( Ayampe) This is very consistant
beachbreak but lacks in shape. It has its days and can be fun when its
small but by no means is it world class. Its a good place to go when its
flat or small and glassy. The twon is called Ayampe and it is 1/2 north
of Montanita. Here is photo of the beach
Click Here
7 - Puerto Cayo This spot is actually north of the town
of Puerto Cayo and is very hard to find. If you dont know where the turn
off is you wont find it. Its a world class beachbreak with boardbreaking
power and no crowds. It is compared to Puerto Escondido and also known
as "The Pipeline of Puerto Cayo".
It takes North Swells and low tides and very glassy conditions. The best
time of year is January through April.
8 - San Mateo One of the best waves in the continent, a
long wrapping left comparable to Rincon or Chicama. This wave takes Norths
from medium to very large, as big as it gets in Ecuador. Its on the South
end of Manta, and you can now drive up the coast directly from Montanita.
There is no where to eat here or stay so you must stay in Manta or head back
down the coast. Well worth the trip it is a great wave.
Surfing the Northern Coast of
Ecuador
9 - Canoa Is a fun beachbreak but far from great even
though it has it days. Its a nice beach and always has waves. Its a good
place to stop for few days. There are a couple cool places to stay here.
La Posada de Daniel and the Hotel Bamboo are both good options. The break
takes all tides and swell directions.
10 - Mompiche one of the best breaks in the country.
Very good lefthander with a tuby takeoff over very sharp lava rocks.
Takes strong north swells and usally has good wind conditions. You can
try and make it down the road or boat in from Muise or from cojimes on
the south end. The road gets washed out in Winter.
