Surf Forecast  Punta Roca

Punta Roca surfspot characteristics

More about Punta Roca surfspot

Famed, top of the class Central American righthand pointbreak that pitches, walls up and races speedily over shallow, black boulders. Barrels and inviting open faces in medium-sized swells when length of ride can be leg burning. Handles double-overhead with ease when the drops and power increase exponentially. Hazards are many and varied including sharp shells on the rocks, bad pollution problems, hassling and drop ins, armed robbery on the walk out the point, difficult entry and exit, crowds and powerful, butt-kicking waves.

General: Like Noosa when small, like J-Bay when pumping, Punta Roca is a geographically flawless, cobblestone right point that sculpts steep walls and multiple barrel sections for nearly a half-mile. The wave itself offers such a tremendous variety of sections that it works for a wide range of skill levels. At the top of the point -- near the famously dangerous graveyard -- is where you'll see the lineup's alpha surfers getting round, driving tubes. Down the line a bit you'll see those same surfers cracking groomed, inviting lips. On down the point, there are more barrel sections and inviting turn sections, though it gets less perfect towards the tail end, which is called La Paz. But just one good wave at this famed and fabled right pointbreak, and you'll be smiling for a long time to come. Tides: All tides Size: Head high-double overhead+ Wind: Light North Swell: SSW, SW Bottom: Rocks/boulders Paddling: Your shoulders will feel it if you get a few long ones. Spot Rating: Arguably one of the best waves in the world when it is on.

Intermediate to advanced

Best to park down in La Paz, near the hotels and restaurants -- the cemetery is a notorious for theft. Just paddle or walk up the point. You'll see the rock to scamper to and jump off.

Southern Hemisphere fall into winter for the most consistent surf.

Crowd Factor: Oh yeah, very crowded. Local Vibe: Expect to be hassled.

It’s a long paddle from in front of Bob Rotherham’s restaurant, to by-pass the armed robbers and sharp rocks, but there are good waves on the inside La Paz section. Used as filming location for the classic ‘70s surf film Big Wednesday.

Depends on rains.

Watch out for "Mama Roca," a huge rock that lies just below the surface a bit down from the main takeoff zone. Low tide is shallow everywhere.