A submerged reef break on the east end of Palmar Beach, Hawaiisito earns its tongue-in-cheek nickname by favouring lefts over the boulders where the rocks begin to stack up. It needs S to SW swell in the 2-6ft range and performs best from mid to high tide, when the reef has enough water over it to keep things manageable. NW offshores groom the faces, but the wave rarely handles anything above head-high before it goes soft and crumbly. Intermediate surfers will get the most out of it, and the setup is forgiving enough for advancing beginners willing to read boulders. Bottom: submerged reef. Season: medium consistency, best when S/SW groundswell is running. Consistency: medium. River and estuary outflow affects water quality after rain, so time your session accordingly and avoid the lineup in the 24 hours following heavy rainfall.
Crowds show up sometimes, particularly on weekends when Panama City surfers make the drive out to the coast. The vibe is generally relaxed, in line with the wave's playful, unhurried character. No significant localism reported, but standard respect applies: don't paddle straight to the peak on a busy day.
Palmar Beach is reachable by road with fee parking available. Camping is on-site, making it workable as a base for exploring the wider San Carlos area. Note the estuary and river outflow nearby. Check water quality conditions before paddling out, especially after heavy rain.
When Hawaiisito is too small or too crumbly, the fast righthand pointbreak at Jefrys in San Carlos is worth checking for more push. Punta Palmar's righthanders fire on bigger swells at high tide if you need more power and size.
Forecast by Windy.app
