El Murcielago
Équateur · Manabí
El Murciélago, in Manta in the province of Manabí, is the beach closest to the city center and one of the most well-known spots on the coast. It is especially attractive for its easy access, urban atmosphere, and regular attendance by locals and visitors alike.
On the water, the spot is particularly interesting when the swell is good and the wind sets in. Overall, it is more suitable for a navigation outing than for a purely freeride session, with conditions varying according to the tide and the exposure of the water surface.
Historical averages by month — not a live forecast.
The spot works with a wind generally side-on to side-shore depending on the orientation of the flow in the bay, which remains the cleanest for navigation here. The water surface is more readable at low tide or mid-tide, with a sea often more manageable near the shore, while at high tide the water becomes more active and less regular.
Launching takes place from the urban beach, with a takeoff area that must be managed carefully due to the traffic and sometimes limited space. A wide safety corridor must be maintained for takeoff and landing, as the beach is heavily used by the public and foot traffic can be dense.
The spot is more comfortable for slightly offshore navigation, where there is generally more space and a more exploitable water surface. Inside, variations in swell and short waves related to the site's exposure can make navigation less clean than on a lagoon or closed bay.
The best sessions occur when the wind is stable and the swell is not too disordered. The spot remains interesting for an independent kitesurfer, but less simple for a beginner due to the urban environment and the management of takeoff.
Open Windguru forecast