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Pacific tides hit 5.3 metres through Saturday

Sinaproc issued a prevention notice on Wednesday 28 October for adverse maritime conditions on the Pacific coast, driven by monthly maximum tides, stronger winds and long-period swells. The notice runs through Saturday 31 October 2026. For Thursday 29 October, the Instituto de Meteorología e Hidrología de Panamá (IMHPA) figures relayed by Sinaproc point to tides up to 17.4 feet (5.3 metres), sustained winds of 15 to 35 km/h, gusts up to 40 km/h and wave periods up to 18 seconds (Sinaproc 28 Oct; Telemetro 28 Oct; EcoTV 28 Oct; La Estrella matches 5.3 m and the wind band).

Where conditions are worst

  • Pacífico Central (Azuero peninsula and south Veraguas): adverse maritime conditions (La Estrella; Telemetro; EcoTV).
  • Pacífico Occidental (Golfo de Chiriquí): precaution (La Estrella; Telemetro; EcoTV).
  • Pacífico Oriental (Golfo de Panamá and Darién): precaution (La Estrella; Telemetro; EcoTV).
  • Risk Sinaproc flags: frequent rough seas and a higher chance of coastal flooding in low shoreline sectors (La Estrella; Telemetro; EcoTV).
  • Quake context: La Estrella notes the aviso lands 21 days after the 9 October quake that hit Herrera, Los Santos, Veraguas and Coclé hardest, so central-province coasts remain a watch zone.

What Sinaproc asks people to do

  • Stay out of the water when seas are rough; skip risky water sports (La Estrella; Telemetro; EcoTV).
  • Fishers and boat operators: check conditions before casting off; do not sail if it is not safe (La Estrella; Telemetro; EcoTV).
  • Keep clear of breakwaters, jetties, cliffs and beaches that take the surge; do not linger on exposed shoreline as the tide rises (La Estrella; EcoTV).
  • Do not cross flooded patches; follow official updates (La Estrella; Telemetro; EcoTV).
  • Emergency lines on the Sinaproc aviso: 520-4426 or 911 (also listed on EcoTV).

What it means for expats

  • Beach house, Pedasí, Las Tablas coast, Guararé, Tonosí, south Veraguas or Chiriquí gulf this week: treat Thu 29 through Sat 31 as a high-tide window. Move cars, gear and outdoor furniture above the usual wet line.
  • Boat days, surfing, paddle boards and shoreline walks on exposed rock: postpone when the swell is running. Azuero and south Veraguas are the adverse band.
  • Quake-damaged seawalls, cracked patio edges and temporary shoreline fixes can fail faster under a 5-metre tide. Keep clear of tagged or cracked coastal structures.
  • This is a prevention notice for tides and wind, not a named tropical storm. Still enough water to flood low lots and cut beach access for a few days.

Sources

  • Sinaproc - Aviso de prevención: condiciones marítimas adversas por mareas altas y fuertes vientos en el Pacífico - 28 Oct 2026
  • La Estrella - Sinaproc alerts for tides up to 5.3 metres and strong winds on the Pacific coast - 28 Oct 2026
  • Telemetro - Sinaproc warns of high Pacific tides and strong winds through 31 October - 28 Oct 2026
  • EcoTV - Sinaproc warns of 17.4-foot tides and strong winds on the Pacific - 28 Oct 2026