Surf Spots in La Paloma

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The SW Atlantic it s a highly productive area where major fisheries take place. It also receives swells from southern latitudes mainly from March through December. The continental shelf varies from one of the most spread in South Argentina to a very narrow one in the coast of Brazil. Uruguay in the middle is a transition zone where Malvinas cold current meets the warm waters of Brazil current and the fresh water from Rio de la Plata.

Uruguayan beaches are tipically long beach arcs between rocky points facing SW to SE. The coastline from Punta del Este to Chuy (border with Brazil) is the one that receives those South Atlantic swells all year round. Among the various surfing destinations along this coast La Paloma proudly stands as the one with the best location and the highest number of options for surfers.

Being a SE pointing cape, La Paloma has beaches facing all through the range NE to SW. That means that in a reduced coastline it is possible to find nice surfing conditions under almost any wind or swell direction. Just take a look at google maps and see it for yourself. This is a list of the best known spots around the cape.

La Aguada: Long beach arc north of town. It faces E-NE and it’s one consistent beach where surfing is possible all along its many sandbars. It spreads from the port for aprox. 12 km to the next rocky point in La Pedrera. This beach gets good waves with SE, E and NE swells so it’s the most common spot during summer months. Midday sea breeze quickly changes conditions so best to surf in the morning and evening. Many surf schools are settled at this beach.

Los Botes: 2 km SW from the Lighthouse, on the South side of the cape there is this longboarder`s favourite spot. A rocky point on the left and a gentle sandbar in the middle of the beach produce and easy start level of surfing under SE to S swells. It is also an historical surfing spot where the first surfing pioneers found the reason to visit La Paloma. 3 Surf schools work at this beach.

Zanja Honda: SW of Los Botes there are some flat rocks offshore that produce maybe the most famous waves now in town. A long left wave that works better under SE swells and a right wave that has its best at S swells conditions. Not for beginners, these offshore breaks offer the greatest show when conditions are good and it is also a good spot to take pictures specially on summer sunsets.

Zanja Honda lefts

Corumba: Around the rocks of Zanja Honda spreads one long beach arc to the SW in the direction of Jose Ignancio (aprox. 40 km). It is a consistent sandbar that works better in summer and so it gets a little crowded sometimes. There are some other options a bit more SW and a few surf schools work here. It can get a bit strong during high swells.

Corumba rights

La Pedrera: 12 km NE from La Paloma there is a small cape with 2 nice spots, El Barco and Desplayado. These beaches get good under SE to S swells but the surfing conditions are not that friendly for beginners. Good spots for those who have some basic level of surfing.

Check more at these sites:

Suffering in Uruguay

Olas de Uruguay

 

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My name is Gastón Pereyra and I have worked as a Spanish teacher since 2002 with a certificate on Spanish Teacher for Foreign Learners at the International House Institute. I have also worked with students from all over the world at institutes in Mexico and Uruguay.