Teiki Mathieu Baillan surfing a self-made Alaya surfboard in Macaroni, Mentawaï, Indonesia. Photo by C. Naslain, 2009.
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Datum: WGS84 [ Help ] |
Latitude: 8° 23.571' N |
User rating (131)
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Pavones is situated in the 'deep-south' of Costa Rica, on the southern side of the Gulfo Dulce, nearest town of any size (!) Golfito. Six to eight hours from San Jose. Pavoness is 2 hrs south of Golfito,theres bus service, rental cars and 4x4 taxis for 70$,theres also Nature Air and Sansa flights from San Jose,for about 100$ each way,its pristine Costa Rica, Golfito is super hot,the drive is beautiful,passing teak plantations,lowland rainforest and crossing about dozen rivers. DistanceSurf trip WalkShort walk (5-15 mn) Easy to find?Easy to find Public access?Public access Special access4x4 |
Wave qualityWorld Class
ExperienceAll surfers
FrequencyVery consistent (150 day/year)
TypePoint-break
DirectionLeft
BottomSandy with rock
PowerFun
Normal lengthVery Long (300 to 500 m)
Good day lengthExceptional (>500m)
Good swell directionSouthWest, South, SouthEast
Good wind direction
Swell sizeStarts working at 1.0m-1.5m / 3ft-5ft and holds up to 5m / 16 ft and over
Best tide positionAll tides
Best tide movementRising and falling tides
Week crowdUltra crowded
Week-end crowdUltra crowded
The wave needs a BIG southern swell, as the set up is a long wrap around on a 'Raglan' like beach of boulders. This is a great wave if you catch it when it is working. It goes on forever, supposedly it is the second longest lefthander in the world.
Atmosphere
Pavones is one of the best left points in the world theres also breaks south to punta banco lefts and rights,the natural beauty of this place is indescribable,at night everyone hangs out at the cantina,theres great fishing ofshore,and 3 excellent breaks on the other side,of the bay.
It is a great place if the wave is working, but you are out in the middle of nowhere if it is not. Several places to stay, large variety of accommodations etc. The town can get crowded when its working. - word gets around fast!
General
It is a fragile spot that in the future might change a bit dredging of sand from the river can affect the bottom contour of the point,its one of those spots you do true soul surfing in,looking at the rainforest from the water is an awesome experience,the sounds of the insects,at night the fireflys and latin music thru the air are the best
Author: Tyler Lewis Contributors (4)
By MattPanda , 26-11-2010
Soooo good! - Spent 3 days in Pavones around the end of august. It was 6' the first day, 8' the second and 10+ on the third. Very little if no wind the whole day. One of my very best surfing experiences in 26 years of surfing! At some times it was connecting the whole way, with 1km rides possible. I got myself several 600m+ rides, with long walls and barrelling sections. We stayed in 10$/night cabinas which were ok for the price and though it was quite crowded in the water you could get your share of waves. But it's apperently quite rarely like that, it was the best swell of the year and had not been like that in a while. I would still definitely recommend it, but take a good look at the forecast before you go.
By Anonymous , 09-10-2010
Mixed Bag - Took my son to Pavones this summer... nerat place, but disappointing to go so far and run into the very thing you go down to get away from... asshole Americans. Aggro crown every day... everyone walking around town like they've been hit with the melow stick, then eff you in the water. Lots of Ticos in the water too... no jobs there, so when the waves are on, so are all the kook-ass locals that have absolutely NO wave etiquette... position paddling all day every day. We were able to snag a few mid-noon sessions with not too many people, but don't ever expect to score this place with a few people out. Mark my words, there will be a day when the short-sighted Ticos deeply regret selling their prime areas to greedy selfish Americans. I'm chalking this place off my map, and its a shame.
By dylon , 26-08-2010
travelin to pavones - hey does anyone know how to contact, i think his name is, andre. He is Italian and runs a little house like hostel where he lives downstairs and has rooms available upstairs, its past the pizza parlor. Has two dogs, barack and obama... if anyone has his email or a way to contact him please email me. and how is pavones during september? thanks
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