Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean, River Mouth
Water type: Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Clean
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Best months: August, September, October, November, December
Access description: by Car, Bus -
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: Rooms, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Flat, Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Water quality: Clean
Infos: The water is from flat to choppy, with shore break from 0.5 to 2 meters and some real waves close to the point on the southern side of the beach (Barbasquillo). The waves are best in the wet season (January to April) with anything between 1 and 3 meters being normal. Ecuadorian waves, during the wet season are as consistent as any other surf destination in the world. In the dry season waves are smaller, although with Aguajes or seasonal periods of higher tides and stronger seas, you can get good waves. Theres a big extent of flat water after the shore break and an area with a sand bank where there's a beach break.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: El Murcilago is the beach closest to the city, 5 minutes walk from the center of town. Nice and wide beach, no rocks, or pebbles. This beach was host to the 1991 South American Windsurfing Championship.
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: In general the weather in this area is warm, with air temperatures averaging 25-30C (77-86F). In the dry season (June to November/December) the water temperature is cooler, 21-24C (70-75F). In the wet season (January to May) the water temperature is warmer, 25-28C (77-82F). A wetsuit is not necessary in general, although during the cooler days of the dry season some people might want to wear a shorty.
Wind type: Thermal
Wind specificities: The wind in Manta is created by a strong thermal effect. The area around Manta is very dry; it has one of the lowest rainfall averages on the coast. This, combined with the strong equatorial sun, makes the air over the interior heat up a lot. Meanwhile the water is relatively cool, so there is a high pressure difference between the hot air over land and the cooler air over sea which creates the strong thermal winds. The wind usually starts picking up around 11am, and from 10am or so its already good for taking lessons. It reaches its peak at around 1-2pm and lasts until approximately 4-4:30pm. In the dry season (June to November/December) the water temperature is cooler, creating stronger winds. Expect anything from 15 to 25 knots. In the wet season (January to May) the water temperature is warmer, so the wind is not that strong. However, as the air temperature is higher as well, there are windy days during these months too (winds generally between 8-18 knots). Wind direction is mostly W and SW, which means it blows sideonshore to sideshore from the left most of the time.
Best months: June, July, August, September, October, November
Access description: by Car - From the airport go to the center of the city of Manta. Go to the 'Malecn Escnico' and enter the beach there. If you have a car there's a parking lot right at the entrance of the 'Malecn Escnico'. Barbasquillo is the beach on the same bay further south.
Specific rules: None
Extra: El Murcilago and Barbasquillo are basically the same beach on the bay of Manta.
Nightlife: In Manta many places to go out. Avenida Flavio Reyes is the main meeting point. The party starts at around 10pm at bars and continues after that all night long at clubs.
Accommodations: Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave
Water hazards: Currents
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: February, March
Best months: January, April, May, June, November, December
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave
Water quality: Clean
Infos: The water is choppy, with real, peeling waves close to the point upwind. The shore break can be surfable sometimes and from 1 meter to 1.5-2 meters depending on the season (in the dry season, June to December, the waves are smaller; in the wet season, January to May, larger). The water is nice and clean. In general in the Ecuadorean coast the waves are best in the wet season with anything between 1 and 3 meters being normal. Ecuadorian waves, during the wet season, are as consistent as any other surf destination in the world. In the dry season waves are smaller, although with 'Aguajes' or seasonal periods of higher tides and stronger seas, you can get good waves. During June and July there are spectacular views of whales passing and playing in the water, local riders tell amazing tales of riding with humpback whales. For the beginners that are more occupied with the turtles hatching on the sand.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: It is a 300m wide, long beach (4 km) so space is no problem for riding as well as for landing and launching. With no major development, the beach is a great natural place for kitesurfing. The sand is soft, with no rocks or pebbles or too many shells so rigging is possible on the sand. There are one or two small huts right on the beach where one can have great, cheap seafood and a drink. One of them even has an air compressor for kiters.
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: In general the weather in this area is warm, with temperatures averaging 25-30C (77-86F). You don't need a wetsuit or shorty, maybe a thermal rash guard for colder days. In the dry season the water temperature is cooler, 21-24C (70-75F) and in the wet season, warmer, 25-28C (77-82F).
Wind type: Thermal
Wind specificities: The wind in Manta is created by a strong thermal effect. The area around Manta is very dry; it has one of the lowest rainfall averages on the coast. This, combined with the strong equatorial sun, makes the air over the interior heat up a lot. Meanwhile the water is relatively cool, so there is a high pressure difference between the hot air over land and the cooler air over sea which creates the strong thermal winds. The wind usually starts picking up around 11:00, and from 10 or so it's already good for taking lessons. It reaches its peak at around 1:00 to 2:00pm and lasts until approximately 4:00-4:30pm. In the dry season the winds are stronger; expect anything from 15-25 knots. December is a transition month where the air and water start warming up, so the wind depends on how fast the water warms in relation to the air (10-20 knots are possible). In the wet season the water temperature is warmer, so the wind is not that strong. However, as the air temperature is higher as well, there are windy days during these months too (winds generally between 8-18 knots). Wind direction is mostly W and NW, which means it blows sideonshore to sideshore from the left most of the time.
Best months: January, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Access description: by Car, Bus - From the Capital Quito, just grab a plane to Manta (45 dollars). You have 3 flights daily (by plane 20 mins flight). Or from any city in Ecuador, just go to the closest bus terminal and ask for a bus to Manta. Manta is the 3rd biggest City in Ecuador so you have tons of buses going to Manta (by land 8 hour trip). From the airport or bus terminal you can take a taxi to Santa Marianita Beach. Or get a "Camioneta" ($1 USD) to take you to Santa Marianita. You will go by the village of San Mateo, don't get off there, Santa Marianita is about 10km after that.
Nightlife: Go to Manta.
Accommodations: Rooms, Camping, School, Shop, Repair, Rental, Rescue, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Rocks
Water quality: Clean
Infos: The water is from flat to choppy, with shore break from 0.5 to 2 meters and some real waves close to the point on the western side of the beach. The waves are best in the wet season (January to April) with anything between 1 and 3 meters being normal. The waves are as consistent as any other surf destination in the world. In the dry season waves are smaller, although with Aguajes or seasonal periods of higher tides and stronger seas, you can get good waves. The water here can be very shallow with rocks underneath.
Infos: Barbasquillo is the beach upwind from el Murcilago.
Weather specificities: In general the weather in this area is warm, with air temperatures averaging 25-30C (77-86F). In the dry season (June to November/December) the water temperature is cooler, 21-24C (70-75F). In the wet season (January to May) the water temperature is warmer, 25-28C (77-82F). A wetsuit is not necessary in general, although during the cooler days of the dry season some people might want to wear a shorty.
Wind type: Thermal
Wind specificities: The wind in Manta is created by a strong thermal effect. The area around Manta is very dry; it has one of the lowest rainfall averages on the coast. This, combined with the strong equatorial sun, makes the air over the interior heat up a lot. Meanwhile the water is relatively cool, so there is a high pressure difference between the hot air over land and the cooler air over sea which creates the strong thermal winds. The wind usually starts picking up around 11am, and from 10am or so it's already good for taking lessons. It reaches its peak at around 1-2pm and lasts until approximately 4-4:30pm. In the dry season (June to November/December) the water temperature is cooler, creating stronger winds. Expect anything from 15 to 25 knots. In the wet season (January to May) the water temperature is warmer, so the wind is not that strong. However, as the air temperature is higher as well, there are windy days during these months too (winds generally between 8-18 knots). Wind direction is mostly W and SW, which means it blows sideonshore to sideshore from the left most of the time. The wind gets very patchy here, making it difficult to ride.
Best months: June, July, August, September, October, November
Access description: by Car - From the airport go to the center of the city of Manta. Go to the `Malecn Escnico` and enter the beach there. If you have a car there's a parking lot right at the entrance of the `Malecn Escnico`. Barbasquillo is the beach on the same bay further west.
Specific rules: None
Extra: El Murcilago and Barbasquillo are basically the same beach on the bay of Manta. But El Murcilago is all the way to the west.
Nightlife: In Manta many places to go out. Avenida Flavio Reyes is the main meeting point. The party starts at around 10pm at bars and continues after that all night long at clubs.
Accommodations: Parking
View spot