El Valle
Chocó, Colombia
Beach breakIntermediate
A small Pacific village near Nuquí on Colombia's Chocó coast, El Valle is even more remote and pristine than its neighbour, with a stunning beach break backed by whale-filled ocean and primary rainforest.
Typical Conditions
The Surf Window
Swell Window
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Wind
SE
Offshore
Tide
mid tide
LowMidHigh
Season
August
JFMAMJJASOND
The Wave
Type
Both
Bottom
Sand
Shape
Powerful, variable beach break, raw Pacific exposure with shifting sandbars
Length
40–100m
Skill Level
- •Who it's for: Intermediate
- •Why: Similar conditions to Nuquí but even more remote, Pacific power and isolation demand capability and preparation.
Hazards
- •Extremely remote, no emergency infrastructure
- •Strong rip currents
- •Jellyfish and sea creatures
- •Humpback whales in the water July–October
Local Tips
- •El Valle is a 30-minute boat ride from Nuquí, book through a local operator who knows the tidal channels.
- •The humpback whale research station near El Valle sometimes runs guided snorkelling with whales, one of the world's most extraordinary wildlife experiences.
Location
5.7833, -77.2333