Chatarras

Edit Spot

About

Even though the water looks clean, at one time the inner little laggon was an illegal dumping ground for junked cars to act as a breakwall for big waves not to wash out the road, before the current stone wall was built-- it has all been cleaned away but unce in a while there can be a sharp piece of metal in the sand so watch your feet. Better still, just wear booties, because the reef and urchins are very sharp.

Incredible spot, world class when it breaks with the wind just perfect.

Atmosphere:
When this spot is going off world class and everyone is here--I have seen crowds of over 50 people on one peak, you can literally cut the tension with a knife. People will be dropping in on each other and lots of yelling will be going on. The vibe will be very heavy. And fist fights have been known to break out in the water.

Additional Info:
Getting into the water--there are a couple of small cracks where sand has collected in the barrier reef edge, here is where you enter the water. Your best bet though is just to sit back and watch locals. (Make a note when your heading out, by triangulating your position, so that when you come back in you dont wash up on the reef and urchins)

The wave is almost all ultra hollow lefts (very indonesia like)though once in a while a right will sneek thru that wont close out. The reef is very shallow and sharp with grooves and small cave/holes. If you get caught inside during a cleanup set, you will wish you had never even gone out, lol, especially if you get a pile driver of a wave falling right on top of you.

Last note of interest*** When this wave is going off, usually other spots are also-- best if you just go somewhere else (to put it bluntly) because unless you are a local or a pro you not going to catch even one wave. When this spot is firing every local pro and hardcore aggro surfer/boogie boarder out to prove themselves will be there! And So will the cameras--like Hawaii--Pipeline.

Location

Access

Coming from Isla Verde (hotel strip near the airport) head east on road 187, DONT SPEED!! Cops love this area for traps. Cross the Boca de Cangrejos bridge and just keep folling the road for another 1.5 miles, you are going to come to a section of road, about a quarter of a mile in length that travels in front of the beach, when you pass the double series of speed bumps at the bicycle crossing and intersection (you'll know it when you see it). You are going to travel to the end of this beach about 300 yards more to the end of the series of little food shacks to your right. Park your car near the last shack or two. Walk across the road, up the sand embankment, onto the rock barrier and in front of you on the other side of the barrier reef that sits out of the water is Chatarras.

Walk	Instant access (<5 min)
Public access	Yes
4x4 required	No
Boat required	Yes

Wave Characteristics

Type	Reef (coral)
Direction	Right and left
Bottom	Reef (coral, sharp rocks etc.)
Power	Hollow, Fast, Powerful
Frequency	Sometimes breaks (50 days/year)
Normal length	Short (<50m)
Good day length	Normal (50 to 150m)

Ideal Conditions

Wind direction	South, SouthEast
Swell direction	North, NorthWest, West, NorthEast
Swell size	5ft-6ft - 10ft+
Tide	Low and mid tide
Tide movement	Rising and falling tides