Mompiche Surf Guide
Mellow beach town with waves for everyone, uncrowded lineups, and consistent swells.
Quick Facts
Several different breaks for all levels
Consistent waves year-round
Not overly developed
Chill fishing village with backpackers/surfers
Introduction to Mompiche
Mompiche is a small town in the province of Esmeraldas that is home to some solid breaks. With over 7km of beaches, you’ll essentially never find an overcrowded lineup here. It’s home to a solid peeling left point-break, a great beginner spot at Playa Negra, and some rivermouth and reef breaks. The town itself is quiet, and you won’t find tons of parties, restaurants, or overpriced goods. As far as we know, there isn’t an ATM here so bring cash! And board rentals are limited but available.
Mompiche Surf Season
The time to find the famous left-hand point breaks on offer here in Mompiche will be from December to April. The southern swells roll in and can peel for hundreds of meters. In the North American summer months, you’ll find smaller and slower waves, great for beginners or beginner-intermediates. And finally, in the North American fall (August to November), you’ll find the smallest waves with many flat spells.
Where to Surf in Mompiche
Like many surf spots, there are actually several different breaks in the area.Here we’ll cover Playa Mompiche, the most accessible and popular surf spot. It’s suitable for all levels, providing a consistent beach break. Works best at mid-tide!
Crowds - Rarely
Surfer Level - Beginner-Intermediate
Ideal Swell - SW or NW
Ideal Wind - NE, light
Break Type - Beach break
Consistency - 70%
Be Aware: Not much!
Surf Camps, Classes, and Lessons in Mompiche
La Facha Hostel - La Facha Hostel is just a block from the beach in Mompiche, and a solid option for a surf camp. Their 3 day surf camps run about $115 for a shared dorm or $250 for two people in a private room. All meals are included, and they have plenty of other things to do such as boat tours, horseback riding, and jungle hikes.
From the Store
Nearby Surf Spots
La Punta
Can be a bit finicky, but an amazing left-hand point break when it’s on. Works best at higher tides, and provides a long peeling left. Relatively quiet and uncrowded for such a great wave.
Crowds - Rarely
Surfer Level - Intermediate+
Ideal Swell - W/NW
Ideal Wind - NE
Break Type - Point
Consistency - 60%
Be Aware: Rock reef below
Playa Negra
Playa Negra has faster and more hollow waves than Mompiche Beach. Sandy and rocky bottom, with sand that can get quite hot!
Crowds - Less than main beach
Surfer Level - Any
Ideal Swell - NW
Ideal Wind - SE
Break Type - Beach
Consistency - 80%
Be Aware: Volcanic bottom
Portete Island
Up north, Portete is a reef break that works best at low or mid tide. Beautiful lefts and rights, and the takeoff can be quite shallow. Takes a boat shuttle or kayak to get to
Crowds - Nope
Surfer Level - Advanced
Ideal Swell - NW
Ideal Wind - NE
Break Type - Reef
Consistency - 80%
Be Aware: Some shallow reef
Other Things to Do in Mompiche
Mompiche is a relatively small town without a ton of tourism or tourist activities. You’ll still find plenty of tours and things to do, but not quite the development you’ll see in other parts of South America. This can be a plus for some!
Hiking - There are plenty of tours and guides to go hiking in the area. There are a few nearby waterfalls and lovely places to take jungle hikes.
Mangrove Tours - The mangrove forests in the area are absolutely beautiful, and you can find tours through them on kayaks or stand-up paddleboards. Definitely recommend!
Mache-Chindul Ecological Reserve - The nearby reserve is a wonderful way to experience the local ecosystem. Great for those interested in nature, birding, and jungle experiences!
Whale Watching - From June to September, you can take tours out to see the migrating humpback whales and dolphins!
Island Tours - There are tons of different guides offering tours to the nearby islands of Isla Portete and Jupiter Island. There’s fun places to swim, hike, and view wildlife.
Fishing - Finally, you can go deep sea fishing from Mompiche. If you like seafood and fish, you’ll be in an amazing spot for the sport.
Where to Stay in Mompiche
Ensenada has several budget-friendly options, beachfront acommodations, and some luxurious resorts in nearby Valle de Guadalupe.
Budget-Friendly Hotels ($11-30/night)
La Facha
Hostel/hotel with surf camp options
Already mentioned in the section on surf camps,. La Facha is the place to stay on a budget. They have dorm rooms, private rooms, and surfboard rentals!
La Casa Mompiche
Small hotel right in town
Just a block from the beach in Mompiche, La Casa has options for everyone. There are dorm rooms, suites, and family rooms!
Hotels/Resourts ($45-250/night)
Hotel Bernabeth
Located just at the north end of the main town, Hotel Bernabeth is a small hotel with a pool and gardens just steps from the beach. They have a spa, pool just for the kids, and an onsite bar and restaurant.
Small garden retreat with spa
Royal Decameron
All-inclusive just south of Mompiche
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive option, the Royal Decameron Mompiche is the pick. There are four on-site restaurants, a full spa, and all meals included. They have multiple pools, a beautiful beach, and a full gym.
Group Stays ($350-500/night)
Paradise Beachfront
Beautiful house in Portete
Located just south of Mompiche on Isla Portete, Paradise Beachfront is a five-bedroom, five-bathroom house right on the beach. You’ll find waves out the front door, free WiFi, and empty beaches.
Seaside Garden Lodge
Four bedroom lodge north of town
Seaside is a great option for big groups or families. With four rooms each with their own bathroom, you’ll be in a remote and quiet paradise. They are growing a bunch of organic fruits and vegetables, can organize tours of the mangroves, and offer surf classes.
Getting to Mompiche
Mompiche is a relatively remote surf spot. It’s somewhat hard to get to, but that also keeps the lineups relatively small and the town on the mellower side.
Flying/Driving - You can fly into Quito International Airport and take the seven hour drive. It’s a bit of a gnarly drive on a narrow, jungle road. You can also fly from Quito into Esmeraldas Airport (ESM) to shorten your journey and make it easier. From ESM, it’s just under two hours to get to Mompiche. We recommend a taxi from ESM airport rather than driving yourself.
Public Transportation - You can also take a bus through Trans Esmeraldas from Quito to Atacames. It leaves every four hours and cost around $15. Once in Atacames, you’ll need a taxi or local bus for the remaining 90 minutes to Mompiche.
Secret Garden - Our favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurant, best for breakfast and brunch. An eco-lodge, but you can stop in for meals. Roni makes everything from local Ecuadorian dishes to Asian-inspired plates for her guests.
La Langosta - The place to get fresh seafood, especially lobster. Super casual, great for lunch or dinner.
Restaurants in Mompiche
Travel Tips
We really rarely do this on our site as we don’t like fear-mongering… But here goes. Ecuador has had a bit of security concerns since 2024. Many areas are under semi-regular states of emergency with curfews and restrictions in place. This is in an effort to combat organized crime. Parts of Quito and Guayaquil are experiencing the highest rates of violence, but coastal provinces like Esmeraldas have some organized crime activity as well. Bus travel is strongly discouraged, as is driving at night.
Be sure to check out our Resources page for tips on traveling, spending money, support, and more.
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