Surfing in Colombia: Chasing Waves at the Best Beaches
Discover with us what are the best surfing spots in the country and learn when is the best time to go to all of them!
5 Minutes
“Diversity” is a word that often comes to mind when thinking about Colombia. This word does not only apply to the country’s richness in terms of plants and animals. And it’s not exclusively used when talking about culture, social groups, or ethnicities.
Colombia’s diversity also refers to its varied chances for leisure activities. It seems like there’s something for everyone’s preferences. And today we are talking about a very interesting one: surfing. Because yes, even though Colombia is not famous for its surfing scene, it offers plenty of chances for practicing this sport.
Surfing in Colombia: why its big potential?
Colombia is the only South American country with large coastlines that cross both the Caribbean and the Pacific Seas. This makes it an ideal place for chasing some wild waves all year long, as there are some great spots on both coasts. And the perfect tropical weather almost all year, depending on the time.
All this makes Colombia a true hidden gem in the continent for surfing enthusiasts. A paradise on earth for outdoorsy lovers as it mixes it up with awe-inspiring nature scenarios. Let’s see some of them!
Best Beaches for Surfing in Colombia: Caribbean Coast
The Caribbean Coast offers some great beaches and it has one important advantage: they are quite accessible for all kinds of travelers. They usually have road access and are closer to their city’s center, unlike most of the Pacific beaches. So, these are perfect for tourists who don’t have a big experience traveling around the country and are looking for an easy-to-get-to kind of place.
Caribbean Coast beaches are also calmer than the Pacific ones. This makes it better for surf beginners who are learning and want to catch a few easy-going waves.
Some of these beaches that we recommend are:
Santa Marta: Parque Tayrona
Santa Marta is popular for having one of the most beautiful ecological sanctuaries. El Parque Tayrona is a natural reserve where lies the magic of a megadiverse ecosystem. Virgin forests, lagoons, and mangroves are part of its many exotic one-of-a-kind landscapes. And the beaches are not the exception either.
In Parque Tayrona, some of the beaches reach rivers from the Sierra Nevada, Colombia’s northern mountain range. This influences low tide waves that are perfect for inexperienced surfers.
The best beaches for this sport are Los Naranjos, Costeño Beach, Casagrande, and Mendihuaca. All these beaches have surf schools, so they are perfect for learners who want to catch some sweet waves. The best time to practice surfing around these beaches is from January to March. During this season, the intensity of the waves increases and provides fantastic experiences.
Cartagena: Castillo Grande and Playa Blanca
Cartagena de Indias is one of the most renowned cities in Colombia. Proclaimed world heritage by UNESCO, this city of colonial streets is a surfing gem.
Cartagena’s city is very close to various beaches that offer different wave heights to surf. Castillo Grande is one of the most popular ones. You can expect big waves there during the months of September and November.
Playa Blanca is another nice surfing beach. It stands out for hosting events around sports such as kitesurfing and windsurfing. You can find nice surfing waves there all year!
La Guajira: Palomino
Located in La Guajira’s Department, Palomino is one of the most special beaches in Colombia. It welcomes thousands of foreign tourists interested in ecotourism each year. And it is a great surfing spot too, with great blizzards and kind waves.
The best time to surf in Palomino is between January and March. And there are clubs for practicing and learning too, such as Palomino’s Sunset and Tide School.
Best Beaches in the Pacific Coast
Chocó: Nuquí
Nuquí has gained its way to being Colombia’s favorite space for professional surfers. In this place, the jungle meets the sea, creating a well-preserved natural environment. This has been possible mainly because Nuquí is quite isolated. For the same reason, it is not a crowded place. It is not so easy to get there, but not impossible at all. You can find the right guide or tour to take you to your destination, and we promise it is worth it.
Nuquí has the ideal level of waves for surfing, so we recommend it for experienced athletes with greater control of the waves. This is because the Pacific Ocean has some rough waters and strong winds.
And its great quality for surfing is definitely not a secret. Nuquí has held Tournaments of the Latin American Association of Professional Surfers. It is a hotspot for this daring sport that can be practiced all year long, being April to August the best season.
The best surfing beaches close to Nuquí are Pico de Loro, El Valle and Terco. All of them are recommended for experts only.