Whether you are an experienced surfer looking for a secluded surf spot off the beaten path, or whether it is your first time attempting to get up on a surf board, let us enhance your surfing experience here in Santa Catalina. With a profound respect for the local surfing community we offer a wide array of options to suit your surfing needs. Inquire about our surfing expeditions!
When learning to surf there are key elements that make the experience enjoyable as you become adept in this sport:
A positive attitude
A great forgiving beach break
A good board to learn with...suitable length and shape for easy learning and smooth progression made of durable material…
Our range of Bic ACS (Aerated Cellular Structure) will allow you to tackle the art of surfing with confidence. These boards are a lot of fun and very forgiving and can take a few extra knocks that would have fiberglass boards looking for repair. We have a selection of Bic boards to suit the needs of the surfer just learning to catch waves to the rider looking for a smooth ride down the line.
Fiberglass boards are also available to rent.
Price: $10/half day and $15/full day. Multi day rates available.
Come and enjoy some fun in the sun and learn how to surf in one of Panama’s most beautiful surf destinations, Santa Catalina. Come with your friends and partake in the Fluid Surf Camp. Including the nice beach break surfing and yoga, you will also enjoy other activities such as volleyball, beach combing, relaxing and socializing amongst the town. Complete the day with some more fun around a night fire or star gazing.
This package includes:
o 3 nights accommodation in a thatched tiki hut overlooking the sea*
o 3 full days of surfing with a lesson to start each day in the waves
o a yoga class to prepare the mind, body and spirit
o Breakfasts included
*based on availability
Price: $269 per person + 5% tax (4+ people) pricing based on double occupancy
Included
Not Included
- Lodging, meals as specified in the itinerary
- International airfare, transportation to and from Santa Catalina
- Transportation to nightly dining establishment
- Tourist card ($5 per person) - Panama City Hotel
- Local and/or North American Guide, Surf and Yoga Instructor Services
- Meals not specified in the itinerary - Alcoholic beverages
- Surf board, leash, wax
- Personal Equipment
- Yoga Mat
- Gratuities for guides and extras in hotels
Multi Element/Multi Day Expeditions
Surf, Sea Kayak & Snorkel Extravaganza
Join the team of Fluid Adventures Panama for 3 days of surf instruction and 3 days of Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling. Come and experience the very best that Santa Catalina, Isla Coiba and Panama have to offer.
The following is our 3&3 Itinerary. If your group would like to extend your time out in the wilderness please Contact us to tailor a custom trip based on your needs and specifications:
Day 0 - Arrive in Santa Catalina and get settled in to your accommodations. An orientation of the village is provided and if time and tide conditions permit, your first dip into the surf.
Accommodations: Tiki Hut overlooking the beach*.
Dinner included
Day 1 - Surf your heart out on the great learning beach break of Playa Estero. Forgiving waves and the sand bottom make this beach ideal for learners, as well as a playground for those looking to improve their surfing skills. Break your day up with some rest and relaxation and hearty meals that will keep your surf strength up throughout the day!
Accommodations: Tiki Hut overlooking the beach*.
All Meals and Snacks included
Day 2 - Surf the beach or perhaps venture out to one of the many point breaks in and around Santa Catalina. Break the day up with a coastal sea kayak, some hammock surfing, or a walk into town to meet some of the locals.
Accommodations: Tiki Hut overlooking the beach*.
All Meals and Snacks included
Day 3 – Catch the early morning surf session before departing Santa Catalina via boat launch and local captain. Travel 90 minutes along the Pacific Coast to Isla Coiba. Register at the ANAM Station and tour the Natural History Museum. After familiarizing yourself with the kayaks and equipment we take a short paddle to a secluded bay to set up our base camp (or settle into the ranger cabins). Once camp is set up, and time allows we are able to snorkel right from our own beach with the potential to see rays, sharks, turtles and puffer fish. Our camp is often visited by capuchin monkeys, herons, kingfishers and hummingbirds. Finish the day with a tasty meal, a beach-side fire and explore the unimpeded night sky.
Accommodations: Secluded bay beach camping*, ANAM Station - basic rooms with electricity and A/C until 10pm.
All Meals and Snacks included
Day 4 – After a hearty breakfast and searching for signs of visiting night life, we set out for a day of paddling. Kayak past a swamp mangrove, before stopping in to explore Mango Beach where you can beach comb for hidden treasures and visit with the Howler Monkeys, black hawks and osprey. Next stop, Isla Granito de Oro to snorkel amongst the diverse species. Finish the day with a paddle back to camp and a well deserved meal and some hammock surfing before exploring the night sky.
Accommodations: Secluded bay beach camping* , ANAM Station - basic rooms with electricity and A/C until 10pm.
All Meals and Snacks included
Day 5 – Another day in paradise and Coiba is your natural playground. Perhaps you will indulge in a little fishing off the kayak, another snorkel or a hike through the jungle, or simply relax on the beach, and soak in this pristine environment. One final spectacular fireside dinner and night sky full of delights
Accommodations: Secluded bay beach camping*, ANAM Station - basic rooms with electricity and A/C until 10pm.
All Meals and Snacks included
Day 6 - After breakfast and breaking camp we will embark on one last morning paddle and/or snorkel, then paddle back to the ANAM Station. After lunch we will hike one of the trails in search of birds and other wildlife and check in on Tito, the resident crocodile. Return back to Santa Catalina by boat in time for a late afternoon siesta
Breakfast and lunch included.
Contact us for upcoming dates, or set your own custom trip.
*Pricing is based on Tiki Hut and Beach Camping accommodations. Upgrades in both Santa Catalina and Coiba are available. Please inquire about options and additional costs
Price:
$789 per person + 5% tax (minimum 4 people)
Included
Not Included
- Lodging, meals as specified in the itinerary
- International airfare, transportation to and from Santa Catalina
- Water transportation to and from Isla Coiba
- Tourist card ($5 per person) - Panama City Hotel or Santa Catalina hotel upon returning from expedition.
- Local and/or North American Guide and Surf Instructor Services
- Meals not specified in the itinerary - Alcoholic beverages
Santa Catalina is an internationally recognized surf spot, and you will generally surf with anywhere from 5 to 10 surfers in the water. On crowded days, we have seen up to 30 surfers in the water. The beach breaks often provide the opportunity to work on your skills with more space than you will find at the Point
As described in the Surf Report, Santa Catalina is "A perfect point break with long, hollow, powerful waves over volcanic rock bottom. One of the most consistent and biggest surf breaks in Panama, rarely under 4' and as big as 15-20' faces with a good swell."
There are a variety of conditions and a strong tidal push among the Catalina surf waves due to the fact that the tides fluctuate up to 18' between high & low tide. When the swell is over 8 feet, you can generally surf right through the low tide; otherwise Catalina is best at medium to high tide. Low tide can get quite shallow and hollow with steep drops and very fast walls. The break offers a center peak with rights and lefts, however the rights are more perfect and hollow than the lefts. If the wave is busy, or you prefer lefts there is a shorter left that is typically shorter and without the same competition for the longer rights.
TIP: When surfing this main break, surf with respect, and acknowledge your ability. If you are not accustomed to surfing powerful, overhead reef surf, try one of the Beach Breaks (listed below). There is a definite local surf scene, as well as an established pecking order in the lineup. Lack of respect to them can lead to very frustrating sessions, as the locals can easily shut one down. Show a smile, be respectful, and the locals will return the favor!
Catalina Beach Break
A sand beach break with hollow lefts and rights and some close-outs. About 1 mile long with rock points on each side, located South of the Catalina hotels, where the main road ends. Normally slightly smaller waves than Catalina point. This wave must be surfed at mid to low tide.
Estero Beach Break
Is a long beach break located to the left of the main point break, about a 15 minute walk from the town. It has lefts and rights over sand bottom. This is a favorite for beginners to start out and where Fluid instructors take you for lessons.
Punta Brava
A point break located to the left of the Estero Beach Break. It breaks at low tide over sharp rock bottom, and has lefts and rights, but the lefts are best. It is very powerful and has a great tube section. We recommend using surf booties for this spot as it is quite dangerous to get in and out of the water and is not recommended to beginners.
If you drive down the beach at low tide with a 4x4, be sure to watch the tides…they can come up fast and you cannot get through the river section to get back to Santa Catalina. We’ve helped push more than a few vehicles out of the river...don’t get caught!
Punta Roca
Is a point break on the opposite side of the town of Santa Catalina, accessible by boat or by foot, about a 30 minute walk over the rock reef (bring shoes or booties!). It is a left point break surfed at low tide over a rock bottom ledge, with short rides, but big hollow tubes. It is known to break boards so be careful.
Isla Cebaco
Is a large island located directly to the left of Santa Catalina. You can get to the surf breaks by boat, about a 1 hour boat ride. There are 3 breaks on the island. One is a beach break with rights and lefts. The other is a right point over rock bottom. The other is a left point over rock bottom. Fluid offers kayak trips and excursions to this location as well.
Surf, Sea Kayak & Snorkel Extravaganza
Day 4 – After a hearty breakfast and searching for signs of visiting night life, we set out for a day of paddling. Kayak past a swamp mangrove, before stopping in to explore Mango Beach where you can beach comb for hidden treasures and visit with the Howler Monkeys, black hawks and osprey. Next stop, Isla Granito de Oro to snorkel amongst the diverse species. Finish the day with a paddle back to camp and a well deserved meal and some hammock surfing before exploring the night sky.
Punta Roca