La Libertad, El Salvador
El Salvador could be described as one long series of world class right hand point breaks and Punta Roca is the granddaddy of them all. Gerry Lopez was a regular visitor to Punta Roca during the 70’s. Gerry’s seal of approval is a fair indication that Punta Roca is a world class wave.
Punta Roca is a rock bottom point break with barrelling sections, long fast walls and all round outstanding quality. It is super consistent, as is all of El Salvador, due to a south facing coastline. It breaks from 3ft up to 12ft (three times overhead). On average size days the take-off is pretty straight forward and launches into a walling wave with a good chance of a barrel somewhere along the line. When it’s big the take-offs are more intense and wave hollows out for huge tubes.
The entire point is about 1km long, but the outside section is the world class Punta Roca, further in is Middle Section and the inside is called La Paz. The inside is mellow and offers size relief for intermediate surfers or for those inevitable (and regular) big days.
March to October is wet season and when the swells are big enough for Punta Roca to break. El Salvador has surf year round, it is just smaller in the dry season. Punta Roca breaks on all tides and is hollower and more tubing on low tide. Also the famous rock “la mama” sucks dry right near the take-off at low tide.
Punta Roca is in the bay in front of La Libertad and only one hour from the nation’s capital. It is known for localism and crowding. Petty theft is practically endemic to El Salvador, but with smart traveller sense these problems can be avoided for a ride that way surpasses the effort.
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