The Surf Window

Sipacate

Escuintla, Guatemala

Beach breakBeginner

A long, dark-sand Pacific beach break near El Paredon, Sipacate has more forgiving waves than its neighbour and is popular with beginner surfers building their Pacific beach break experience in Guatemala's surf heartland.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalSSW (195°)
WindowSSE–WSW (150°–240°)

Wind

NE

Offshore

Tide

Mid to high

LowMidHigh

Season

April–September

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Both

Bottom

Sand (dark volcanic)

Shape

Rolling, slower than El Paredon, more forgiving for intermediates

Length

50–80m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Beginner to intermediate
  • •Why: The beach faces slightly differently from El Paredon and filters some of the most aggressive swell energy

Hazards

  • •Strong shore dump on bigger swells
  • •Rips near the estuary mouth
  • •Very limited infrastructure, basic village only

Local Tips

  • •The Sipacate-Naranjo National Park mangroves behind the beach are worth exploring by kayak
  • •Sipacate village has simpler, cheaper accommodation than the more touristy El Paredon

Location

Map showing the location of Sipacate in Escuintla, Guatemala

13.9302, -91.1472