I visited in July and we experienced the normal summer conditions of fun sized waves and easy paddling. It was surprisingly uncrowded and one solo evening session in fast and clean waist to shoulder peaks right in front of the hotel was a stand out memory from the trip. Early mornings were always quiet but really without too much effort we scored mellow sessions. There’s plenty of waves in the area to spread crowds out and the locals we met were all super friendly. SUP also really helps you score uncrowded waves here as you can find smaller peaks that prone surfers ignore. Personally I’ll happily take a reduction in wave size for reduction in crowd any day and the natural size of the bay helps to find your own space.
The main break in front of the hotel offers good beach break conditions with a fast left and longer right and in low swell conditions, down the beach about 500 metres is a break by some rocks which is the go-to spot in small swells. The enclosed harbour area inside the breakwater adjacent to the main break offers flat water and further up the river Lima, which flows out to the sea here, there is plenty of SUP cruising options through gorgeous waterways and the hotel offers guided SUP tours with drop off and pick up options available.
The main beach area has a very relaxing vibe with families enjoying the sand and sea, nestling into the natural windbreaks of the dunes if the wind is too strong.
The hotel’s SUP rental kit is stored at a large centre at the main entrance to the beach which also doubles as the hotel’s beach bar/café serving sandwiches, salads, soft drinks, wine, Somersby cider and beer at €1.50 / glass. The walk from the hotel to the beach takes about 5 minutes and is a great way to start the day with a beach check by foot or my preferred option – renting one of the hotel’s ‘fat bikes’ with huge oversized tyres that make it possible to cycle on the sand. The paths to the beach are beautiful wooden boardwalks in keeping with the well managed dune systems and nature reserves they cross. Both José and the local council are very keen that the tourism they develop is sustainable and protects the beauty of the environment that is the area’s drawcard.
