Surfing Patos: The Complete Guide

Patos is a reef break located in Dakhla, Western Sahara, offering a right-hander along the continent's diverse coastline. Patos is a quality reef break in the remote Dakhla coastline offering consistent waves over a volcanic reef. Rated as advanced difficulty with uncrowded conditions, this reef break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is WNW (300°), with workable conditions from W to NNW (270°–330°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Patos needs a minimum of 0.9m / 3ft to start working and handles swells up to 2.4m / 8ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 10 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the NE (45°). The full offshore range spans N to E (0°–90°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid tide.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Patos runs October, November, December, January, February, March (Oct–Mar). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Season Notes: Quality reef break in remote area.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 19°C / 66°F. Bring a 3/2mm wetsuit — 4/3mm in winter months.

Getting There

The nearest airport is VIL, approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes by road.

Access: Quality reef break in remote area.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🏝️ Remote — Far from help
🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended

Remote location.

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock
Carry a first aid kit and emergency communication. Help may be far away

Skill Level: This spot is rated advanced (6/10). Crowd Level: Typically uncrowded (1/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Patos? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Patos is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*