Overview
La Isla sits in the middle of the bay at Punta Hermosa, named for the rocky island tied to the shore by a causeway, and it breaks over boulders. On waist-high days a reliable peak forms, and it holds size right up to double-overhead. The right is the main event, a rambling wall that runs thick at the base with a crumbling lip and open faces built for carves and gouges, before steeper hooks and cover-ups appear on the inside. From there it fills and reforms into the shorebreak section known as La Puntilla to the right. The left is usually soft, mirroring the right's whitewash line, so cutbacks are about all it offers. Further out you'll find waves on the exposed point and the bombora reef at Kon Tiki, a useful training ground for anyone building up to Pico Alto.
When It Works
A consistent reef break, La Isla draws swell from south to west, with southwest (SW) the best direction. It works from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 3.7 m / 12 ft, and both lefts and rights break here, though the right is the standout.
Wind and Tide
Look for northeast (NE) offshore wind. It breaks through low, mid, and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This one suits intermediates, and the lineup gets busy, with crowds guaranteed on weekends and holidays. Watch for sharp rocks, urchins, and barnacles around the boulder reef.
Access
It's a long paddle out at around 350m, though you can shorten it by jumping in from the causeway. You'll find restrooms and a lifeguard, plus a mix of free, paid, and roadside parking.
