Intermediate Surf Spots in Mexico
46 surf breaks we map are rated for intermediate surfers in Mexico: Bahia Grande, Barra de Colotepec, Calafia, Carrizalillo, Celestino, Chacahua, Dimas Rivermouth and El Faro / Punta Maldonado and 38 more.
Last updated · Counted from the surf breaks we map — each break's own season, level and wave type
- Point breaks
- 23
- Reef breaks
- 11
- Beach breaks
- 11
The intermediate breaks
Best months are filled in where the break states a season. Open a break for its map, photos and the property nearest the lineup.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- Celestino
Elota
- Wave
- Exposed Point Break · Left
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- April to October
- Swell
- SW to W
- Watch out
- Rip currents
- 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.
- Dimas Rivermouth
Sinaloa
- Wave
- Beach Break / Rivermouth · Left / Right
- Level
- Beginner to Intermediate
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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 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 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
- 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
- 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.
- Las Gatas
Zihuatanejo
- Wave
- Reef break / Point Break · Left
- Level
- Intermediate - Advanced
- Season
- May–October
- Swell
- S - SW
- Tide
- High tide, preferably rising
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- 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 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Other levels in Mexico
Frequently asked questions
Where can intermediate surfers surf in Mexico?
46 surf breaks we map are rated for intermediate surfers in Mexico: Bahia Grande, Barra de Colotepec, Calafia, Carrizalillo, Celestino, Chacahua, Dimas Rivermouth and El Faro / Punta Maldonado and 38 more.
When is the best time for intermediate surfers to surf Mexico?
The intermediate-rated breaks we map in Mexico are mostly at their best in May to October.
What kind of waves are the intermediate surf spots in Mexico?
Of the 46 intermediate breaks we map in Mexico, 23 are point breaks, 11 are reef breaks and 11 are beach breaks.