Best Time to Surf Mexico
The best time to surf Mexico is May to October: that is when the most breaks are at their best — 50 of the 57 Mexico breaks we map at the peak.
Last updated · Counted from the surf breaks we map — each break's own season, level and wave type
Surf in Mexico month by month
How many of the 57 breaks we map in Mexico are at their best in each month, and which ones. The busiest months are highlighted.
January
6 at their best · 9 in season
La Boca, La Pastora, San Miguel, K-38, Todos Santos Island, Baja Malibu
February
6 at their best · 9 in season
La Boca, La Pastora, San Miguel, K-38, Todos Santos Island, Baja Malibu
March
27 at their best · 30 in season
Carrizalillo, La Boca, La Pastora, La Punta, Salina Cruz, Troncones Beach, Troncones Point / Manzanillo Bay, Zicatela +19 more
April
37 at their best · 40 in season
Bahia Grande, Barra de Colotepec, Carrizalillo, Celestino, Chacahua, El Faro / Punta Maldonado, La Punta, Palo Alto / A-Frames +29 more
May
48 at their best · 50 in season
Bahia Grande, Barra de Colotepec, Carrizalillo, Celestino, Chacahua, El Faro / Punta Maldonado, Ixtapa Island, La Fortuna +40 more
June
50 at their best · 51 in season
Bahia Grande, Barra de Colotepec, Calafia, Carrizalillo, Celestino, Chacahua, El Faro / Punta Maldonado, Ixtapa Island +42 more
July
50 at their best · 51 in season
Bahia Grande, Barra de Colotepec, Calafia, Carrizalillo, Celestino, Chacahua, El Faro / Punta Maldonado, Ixtapa Island +42 more
August
50 at their best · 51 in season
Bahia Grande, Barra de Colotepec, Calafia, Carrizalillo, Celestino, Chacahua, El Faro / Punta Maldonado, Ixtapa Island +42 more
September
50 at their best · 51 in season
Bahia Grande, Barra de Colotepec, Calafia, Carrizalillo, Celestino, Chacahua, El Faro / Punta Maldonado, Ixtapa Island +42 more
October
47 at their best · 48 in season
Bahia Grande, Barra de Colotepec, Carrizalillo, Celestino, Chacahua, El Faro / Punta Maldonado, La Boca, La Fortuna +39 more
November
7 at their best · 10 in season
La Boca, La Pastora, San Augustin, San Miguel, K-38, Todos Santos Island, Baja Malibu
December
6 at their best · 9 in season
La Boca, La Pastora, San Miguel, K-38, Todos Santos Island, Baja Malibu
Lefts, rights and peaks in Mexico
Every break we map here, by what the wave breaks over and which way it peels — a left peels to the surfer's left as they ride towards the beach.
| Break type | Lefts | Rights | Both ways / A-frames |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point | Celestino, La Punta, Patole, Playa Linda, The Ranch / El Rancho, Troncones Point / Manzanillo Bay, La Saladita, La Punta, Río Nexpa, La Ticla | Chacahua, Punta Conejo, Punta Guetaguichi, Punta Perfecta, Barra de la Cruz, San Blas, Troncones, Punta Conejo, Zippers, Shipwrecks, San Miguel, Punta Mita, Scorpion Bay, Nine Palms | Palo Alto / A-Frames, Punta Chipehua |
| Reef | El Faro / Punta Maldonado, Las Gatas | Calafia, Ixtapa Island, La Poza, Las Gaviotas, K-38, Todos Santos Island | Bahia Grande, K-55, La Fortuna, Topleca |
| Beach | — | — | Barra de Colotepec, Carrizalillo, Dimas Rivermouth, La Pastora, Playa Majahua, Playa Manzanilla, Puerto Escondido, Punta Encomienda, Rio Tapextla, Salina Cruz, San Augustin, Troncones Beach, Zicatela, Zicatela, Sayulita, La Lancha, Pascuales, Cerritos, Baja Malibu |
Season at every Mexico break
Each break's stated season, with its best months filled in.
- Topleca
Agua Blanca
- Wave
- Reef / Sand · Left / Right
- Level
- Intermediate - Advanced
- Season
- April - October
- Tide
- All Tides
- Watch out
- Uneven reef • rock-and-sand bottom • heavy closeouts • sharks • powerful overhead surf • remote coastal roads.
- La Ticla
Aquila, Michoacán
- Wave
- Point break · Left-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Cobblestones and a current around the point, so plan your entry and exit. Remote, with limited services and long drives; arrive prepared.
- San Augustin
Bahía San Agustín
- Wave
- Beach Break / Sandbar · Left / Right / A-frame
- Level
- Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
- Season
- April – November
- Tide
- All Tides
- Watch out
- Large swell required • shifting sandbars • remote/rough-road access • powerful surf when large • sharks
- Zicatela
Brisas de Zicatela
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Shipwrecks
Cabo Pulmo
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Swell
- S - SW
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.
- Punta Encomienda
Cerro Hermoso
- Wave
- Sandbar / Beach Break · Left / Right
- Level
- Advanced / Expert
- Season
- April - October
- Tide
- All Tides
- Watch out
- Strong rips • jetties/structures • powerful surf • heavy drops • shifting sandbars • remote location • experienced-surfer conditions. Surf-Forecast specifically flags rips and jetties as hazards.
- Chacahua
Chacahua
- Wave
- Point Break / Rivermouth / Jetty · Right
- Level
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Season
- April to October
- Tide
- Low to Mid High Tide
- Watch out
- Rock jetty, strong currents at the lagoon mouth and long paddle-backs. The sandbar shifts. Remote, with boat-only access and limited services.
- Nine Palms
East Cape, Baja California Sur
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate - Advanced
- Season
- May to October (south swells)
- Swell
- S - SW
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Sand and rock bottom with a current around the point; plan your entry and exit. The East Cape road is unpaved in places and services are limited.
- La Fortuna
East Cape
- Wave
- Reef Break · Primarily Right; Occasional Left
- Level
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Season
- May to October
- Swell
- S–SE
- Tide
- Mid Tide Preferred
- Watch out
- Rocks • Shallow Reef • Sea Urchins • Rip Currents • Strong Surf • Remote Access
- La Poza
East Cape
- Wave
- Reef / Point Break · Primarily Right
- Level
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Season
- May–October
- Swell
- S–SE
- Tide
- Medium to High Tide
- Watch out
- Submerged Rocks • Shallow Reef • Difficult Entry and Exit • Strong Currents • Remote Access • Limited Emergency Services
- Punta Perfecta
East Cape
- Wave
- Point break / Rocky Reef · Right
- Level
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Season
- May–October
- Swell
- S–SE
- Tide
- All Tides; Rising to Mid Tide Preferred
- Watch out
- Shallow Reef • Rocks • Difficult Entry and Exit • Strong Currents • Sea Urchins • Remote Location • Limited Emergency Services
- Barra de la Cruz
El Coyul
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and a current around the point, so plan your entry and exit. The beach is run by the local community; pay the entry fee and follow their rules.
- K-38
El Morro Surf Ranch
- Wave
- Reef break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- November to March (winter NW swells)
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Reef and rocks on the inside, especially at lower tides. Busy at weekends with surfers from Southern California.
- The Ranch / El Rancho
El Rancho
- Wave
- Point break · Left
- Level
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Season
- April–October
- Swell
- S–SW
- Tide
- Low to Mid Tide
- Watch out
- Rocks • Strong Currents • Powerful Surf • Shallow Sections • Rip Currents • Remote Location
- Palo Alto / A-Frames
El Roble
- Wave
- Beach Break / A-Frame · Left / Right
- Level
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Season
- April–October
- Swell
- S–SW
- Tide
- Mid to High Tide
- Watch out
- Owner or Boat Access Only • Rip Currents • Strong Shorebreak • Shifting Sandbars • Powerful Waves • Submerged Rocks • Remote Location
- Celestino
Elota
- Wave
- Exposed Point Break · Left
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- April to October
- Swell
- SW to W
- Watch out
- Rip currents
- K-55
Ensenada
- Wave
- Reef Break / Beach Break · Left and Right
- Level
- Intermediate + Advanced; easier beach peaks on smaller days
- Season
- Year-Round; summer for SW swell, winter for larger W–NW swell
- Swell
- SW–W
- Tide
- Mid Tide; other tides can work
- Watch out
- Submerged Rocks • Sea Urchins • Shallow Reef • Strong Currents • Powerful Swells • Restricted Access • Cold Water
- Todos Santos Island
Ensenada
- Wave
- Reef break · Right-hand
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- November to March (winter NW swells)
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- A boat-access big-wave reef off Ensenada — strictly for experienced big-wave surfers; powerful currents over shallow rock.
- Playa Linda
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo
- Wave
- Point break · Left
- Level
- All levels
- Season
- May–October, with year-round opportunities
- Swell
- SW - W - WNW
- Tide
- All tides; rising tide can be favorable
- Watch out
- Rocks, rip currents, and runoff after heavy rain
- La Saladita
La Majahua
- Wave
- Point break · Left-hand
- Level
- Beginner to Advanced
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and a current run around the point, so plan your entry and exit. It gets busy with surf schools and longboarders on weekends; share the long rides and do not drop in.
- Playa Majahua
La Majahua
- Wave
- Beach Break · Left / Right
- Level
- Beginner / Intermediate
- Season
- April - October
- Tide
- Mid Tide
- Watch out
- Rips • Shifting Sandbars • Rocky Outcrops • Shorebreak • Larger-Swell Currents • Changing Peaks
- San Blas
Matanchén
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Beginner
- Season
- May to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.
- Punta Conejo
Playa Brasil
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.
- La Boca
Playa Majahua
- Wave
- Left / Right
- Level
- Beginner - Intermediate
- Season
- October–March
- Tide
- Mid Tide
- Watch out
- Rips • Shifting Sandbars • Rivermouth Currents • Rain Runoff • Shorebreak • Changing Peaks
- La Punta
Playa Zicatela
- Wave
- Point Break · Left
- Level
- Intermediate + Advanced
- Season
- March - October
- Tide
- All Tides
- Watch out
- Rocks, extremely concentrated lineup, long paddle-backs, strong swell and significant local presence.
- Puerto Escondido
Playa Zicatela
- Wave
- Beach Break · Right and Left
- Level
- Advanced to Expert
- Season
- May to October
- Tide
- Low to Mid High Tide
- Watch out
- Severe hold-downs, powerful currents, difficult paddle-outs, shorebreak, board-breaking power and extreme consequences at size.
- Zicatela
Playa Zicatela
- Wave
- Beach Break / Sandbar · Left / Right
- Level
- Advanced to Expert
- Season
- May – October
- Tide
- All Tides
- Watch out
- Extreme wave power • severe hold-downs • strong currents • inescapable rips • difficult paddle-outs • board-breaking duck dives • heavy shorebreak • rapidly escalating consequences with size • highly experienced lineup. Surfline specifically warns about the strong currents, rips and board-snapping power even though the bottom is predominantly sand.
- Calafia
Playas de Rosarito
- Wave
- Point Break / Rock Reef · Right
- Level
- Beginner + Intermediate; advanced surfers when large
- Season
- June–September
- Tide
- Mid to High / Rising
- Watch out
- Submerged Rocks • Rocky Entry and Exit • Strong Currents on Solid South Swells • Cliff Access • Variable Water Quality • Larger-Swell Power
- Las Gaviotas
Playas de Rosarito
- Wave
- Reef Break / Rocky Point · Right
- Level
- Beginner + Intermediate; experienced surfers when large
- Season
- June–October; surfable year-round
- Swell
- S • SW • W • WNW
- Tide
- All Tides; Mid/Rising preferred
- Watch out
- Rocky Reef • Sea Urchins • Slippery Rocks • Stronger Currents on Large Swells • Restricted Access • Cold Water • Variable Water Quality
- Carrizalillo
Puerto Escondido
- Wave
- Beach Break / Cove · Left & Right / A-frame
- Level
- Beginner + Intermediate
- Season
- March–October
- Tide
- All Tides
- Watch out
- Rocks, rips, surf-school traffic, longboards and the substantial staircase used to access the beach.
- Playa Manzanilla
Puerto Ángel
- Wave
- Beach Break / Sandbar · Right / Left
- Level
- Beginner - Intermediate
- Season
- April - October
- Tide
- Mid to High Tide
- Watch out
- Swell shadow • shifting sandbars • fishing/boat activity in the broader Puerto Ángel area • stronger currents on large swells • beachgoers and swimmers • limited wave consistency.
- El Faro / Punta Maldonado
Punta Maldonado / El Faro
- Wave
- Reef Break · Left
- Level
- Intermediate / Advanced
- Season
- April - October
- Tide
- All Tides
- Watch out
- Reef • strong rips • sharks • exposed coastline • remote location • limited surf infrastructure.
- Rio Tapextla
Río Tapextla
- Wave
- Rivermouth / Beach Break · Left / Right
- Level
- Intermediate / Advanced
- Season
- April - October
- Tide
- All Tides / bank dependent
- Watch out
- Strong rips • sharks • shifting sandbars • river discharge • possible water-quality issues following heavy rain • remote coastline • limited surf infrastructure. Rips and sharks are hazards, while nearshore ocean temperatures at river mouths can differ significantly after heavy rainfall.
- Salina Cruz
Salina Cruz
- Wave
- Breakwater / Beach Break · Right / Left
- Level
- Intermediate - Advanced
- Season
- March – September
- Tide
- Low to Mid Tide
- Watch out
- Shallow sections • scattered rock • powerful southern swell • strong regional winds • difficult access to some breaks • local etiquette • guide access at certain points • intense sun.
- Zippers
San José del Cabo
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and a current around the point, so plan your entry and exit. It gets crowded on summer swells, with a strong local crew.
- Scorpion Bay
San Juanico, Baja California Sur
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and a current run around the points, so plan your entry and exit. It is remote, with limited medical care and supplies; bring what you need.
- Punta Chipehua
Santa Gertrudis Miramar,
- Wave
- Point Break / Beach Break / Sandbar · Right / Left
- Level
- Intermediate - Advanced
- Season
- April - October
- Tide
- Low to Mid High Tide
- Watch out
- Remote location • strong currents • shifting sandbars • limited rescue/surf infrastructure • powerful swell when large • extreme seasonal winds in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The last point is especially important here: the region is famous for powerful Tehuano winds, which can overwhelm otherwise favorable swell conditions.
- Barra de Colotepec
Santa María Colotepec
- Wave
- Rivermouth / Beach Break · Left and Right
- Level
- Intermediate + Advanced
- Season
- April – October
- Tide
- Mid + High
- Watch out
- Strong currents, shifting sandbars, river discharge/water-quality considerations, powerful surf and wildlife.
- Pascuales
Tecomán, Colima
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Baja Malibu
Tijuana, Baja California
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- November to March (winter NW swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars, and the shorebreak is heavy on bigger swells. Check the banks before paddling out.
- La Pastora
Todos Santos
- Wave
- Beach Break / Sandbar · Left / Right
- Level
- Intermediate + Advanced
- Season
- November–March
- Swell
- W–NW
- Tide
- Low–Mid / Rising, depending on sandbars
- Watch out
- Strong Currents • Heavy Shorebreak • Powerful Swells • Shifting Sandbars • Submerged Rocks • Limited Rescue Services
- Troncones Beach
Troncones
- Wave
- Beach break · Right / Left
- Level
- Intermediate, with Beginners when small and Advanced surfers when larger
- Season
- March – October
- Tide
- Mid - High Tide
- Watch out
- Rocks/Boulders • Rips • Shifting Sandbars • Shorebreak • Heavy When Large • Avoid Rocky Low Tide
- Troncones Point / Manzanillo Bay
Troncones
- Wave
- Point Break / Reef Break · Left
- Level
- Intermediate - Advanced
- Season
- March – October
- Tide
- Low - Mid High Tide
- Watch out
- Rocks/Cobblestones • Urchins • Submerged Rocks • Long Paddle • Stronger Currents at Size • Local Lineup
- Ixtapa Island
Zihuatanejo
- Wave
- Reef / Rock Break · Right
- Level
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Season
- May–September
- Swell
- South
- Tide
- All tides, conditions permitting
- Watch out
- Rocks, sea urchins, marine life, changing currents
- Las Gatas
Zihuatanejo
- Wave
- Reef break / Point Break · Left
- Level
- Intermediate - Advanced
- Season
- May–October
- Swell
- S - SW
- Tide
- High tide, preferably rising
- Bahia Grande
- Wave
- Reef Break / Beach Break · Left / Right
- Level
- Intermediate - Advanced
- Season
- April - October
- Tide
- Mid to High Tide
- Watch out
- Remote access • reef/rocks • strong currents • limited rescue infrastructure • shifting coastal conditions • limited reliable break information.
- Cerritos
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Beginner
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars, and the shorebreak gets punchy on bigger swells. The beach is busy with surf schools; give lessons room.
- La Lancha
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Beginner
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- La Punta
- Wave
- Point break · Left-hand
- Level
- Beginner
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.
- Patole
- Wave
- Point break · Left
- Level
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Season
- April - October
- Swell
- S - SW
- Tide
- Mid to High Tide
- Watch out
- Rocks/Reef • Rip Currents • Shallow Sections • Strong Currents • Larger-Swell Power • Remote Location
- Punta Conejo
- Wave
- Sand-Bottom Point Break · Right
- Level
- Advanced to Expert
- Season
- May to September
- Tide
- Low to Mid Tide
- Watch out
- Heavy lineup • local etiquette • guide-controlled access • gap winds • long rides and exhausting run-arounds • rocks around the point • strong sun • remote coastline.
- Punta Guetaguichi
- Wave
- Point Break · Right
- Level
- Intermediate - Advanced
- Season
- April - October
- Tide
- All Tides
- Watch out
- Rocks • sharks • remote coastline • limited surf infrastructure • powerful offshore winds • potentially difficult access.
- Punta Mita
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.
- Río Nexpa
- Wave
- Point break · Left-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Cobblestones and a current around the point; plan your entry and exit. The river mouth can carry runoff after heavy rain. Facilities are basic, so bring what you need.
- San Miguel
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- November to March (winter NW swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.
- Sayulita
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Beginner
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Troncones
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- March to October (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.
Also mapped here, with a season we can't place on the calendar: Dimas Rivermouth.
Surf spots in Mexico by level
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to surf Mexico?
The best time to surf Mexico is May to October: that is when the most breaks are at their best — 50 of the 57 Mexico breaks we map at the peak.
Can you surf Mexico all year round?
Yes. At least one of the 57 breaks we map in Mexico is in season in every month of the year, though the most are at their best in May to October.
When is the best time for beginners to surf Mexico?
The 15 beginner-rated breaks we map in Mexico (Calafia, Carrizalillo, La Boca, Las Gaviotas, Playa Linda and Playa Majahua and others) are mostly at their best in May to October. Smaller days in the shoulder months are easier to learn on.
Which surf breaks in Mexico are lefts and which are rights?
Lefts: Celestino, El Faro / Punta Maldonado, La Punta, Las Gatas, Patole, Playa Linda, The Ranch / El Rancho and Troncones Point / Manzanillo Bay. Rights: Calafia, Chacahua, Ixtapa Island, La Poza, Las Gaviotas, Punta Conejo, Punta Guetaguichi and Punta Perfecta. The table below splits every break we map in Mexico by type and direction.