About This Spot
El Murcielago, Ecuador is one of the world's premier wind-sports destinations, located in Ecuador.
Situated in South America, the spot offers Flat and Chop and Small waves and Medium waves water conditions, making it ideal for experienced riders pushing their limits.
With SW–WSW–W winds, peaking from June to November, El Murcielago, Ecuador delivers the kind of sessions that keep riders coming back year after year.
Why Riders Love It
The wind in Manta is created by a strong thermal effect. The area around Manta is very dry; it has one of the lowest rainfall averages on the coast. This, combined with the strong equatorial sun, makes the air over the interior heat up a lot. Meanwhile the water is relatively cool, so there is a high pressure difference between the hot air over land and the cooler air over sea which creates the strong thermal winds. The wind usually starts picking up around 11am, and from 10am or so it’s already good for taking lessons. It reaches its peak at around 1-2pm and lasts until approximately 4-4:30pm. In the dry season (June to November/December) the water temperature is cooler, creating stronger winds. Expect anything from 15 to 25 knots. In the wet season (January to May) the water temperature is warmer, so the wind is not that strong. However, as the air temperature is higher as well, there are windy days during these months too (winds generally between 8-18 knots). Wind direction is mostly W and SW, which means it blows sideonshore to sideshore from the left most of the time.
When to Go
In general the weather in this area is warm, with air temperatures averaging 25-30°C (77-86°F). In the dry season (June to November/December) the water temperature is cooler, 21-24°C (70-75°F). In the wet season (January to May) the water temperature is warmer, 25-28°C (77-82°F). A wetsuit is not necessary in general, although during the cooler days of the dry season some people might want to wear a shorty.
What to Expect
The water is from flat to choppy, with shore break from 0.5 to 2 meters and some real waves close to the point on the southern side of the beach (Barbasquillo). The waves are best in the wet season (January to April) with anything between 1 and 3 meters being normal. Ecuadorian waves, during the wet season… are as consistent as any other surf destination in the worldâ€
Wind & Conditions
SW · WSW · W
Best wind direction
The wind in Manta is created by a strong thermal effect. The area around Manta is very dry; it has one of the lowest rainfall averages on the coast. This, combined with the strong equatorial sun, makes the air over the interior heat up a lot. Meanwhile the water is relatively cool, so there is a high pressure difference between the hot air over land and the cooler air over sea which creates the strong thermal winds. The wind usually starts picking up around 11am, and from 10am or so it’s already good for taking lessons. It reaches its peak at around 1-2pm and lasts until approximately 4-4:30pm. In the dry season (June to November/December) the water temperature is cooler, creating stronger winds. Expect anything from 15 to 25 knots. In the wet season (January to May) the water temperature is warmer, so the wind is not that strong. However, as the air temperature is higher as well, there are windy days during these months too (winds generally between 8-18 knots). Wind direction is mostly W and SW, which means it blows sideonshore to sideshore from the left most of the time.
Best Months
Water Conditions
The water is from flat to choppy, with shore break from 0.5 to 2 meters and some real waves close to the point on the southern side of the beach (Barbasquillo). The waves are best in the wet season (January to April) with anything between 1 and 3 meters being normal. Ecuadorian waves, during the wet season… are as consistent as any other surf destination in the worldâ€
Check Conditions
Live Wind Forecast at El Murcielago, Ecuador
Check real-time wind conditions before you head out.
Facilities & Access
📍 Getting There
🚶Short walk to the beach
From the airport go to the center of the city of Manta. Go to the 'Malecón Escénico' and enter the beach there. If you have a car there's a parking lot right at the entrance of the 'Malecón Escénico'. Barbasquillo is the beach on the same bay further south.
Location
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