On a big summer swell, the beach break at Zicatela in Puerto Escondido throws thick, hollow waves onto the sand that have earned it the name Mexican Pipeline. A 15-minute walk away, at La Punta, beginners stand up on their first green waves for a few hundred pesos. That spread, from heavy to gentle within one town, sums up surfing on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
The Pacific runs for thousands of kilometres from the right points of Baja to the Oaxaca coast, with surf towns like Sayulita and Todos Santos in between. The Sea of Cortez is a different playground: steady winter wind for kitesurfers at La Ventana near La Paz, and calm desert islands for sea kayakers off Isla Espíritu Santo and Loreto. On the Caribbean side, reef-sheltered water is made for paddleboards, kites at Holbox and kayaks on the freshwater lagoon of Bacalar.
Surf is best on the Pacific from about April to October, when south swells arrive; wind and paddling in Baja are best from about November to April.
At a Glance#
- Big-wave surfing: Zicatela in Puerto Escondido, biggest from about May to September, experts only.
- Learning to surf: La Punta and Carrizalillo in Puerto Escondido, Sayulita and the reefs of Punta de Mita near Puerto Vallarta, and Cerritos near Todos Santos.
- Point breaks: the long rights of southern Oaxaca near Salina Cruz and Barra de la Cruz, and Scorpion Bay in Baja.
- Kitesurfing: La Ventana and El Sargento near La Paz from about November to March, plus Holbox in the Caribbean.
- Sea kayaking: multi-day island camping trips around Espíritu Santo and in the marine park off Loreto.
- Calm-water paddling: paddleboards and kayaks on the lagoon of Bacalar, and on sheltered bays at Huatulco.
Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca#
Puerto Escondido is Mexico’s surf capital. Zicatela is a powerful beach break that holds big south swells, hosts international big-wave events and breaks boards and bones; watch from the sand unless you have serious experience. At its southern end, La Punta is a left point with softer waves, a busy line-up and a backpacker scene, and Carrizalillo, a small cove reached down a long staircase, has the gentlest waves in town. Two-hour lessons cost roughly 500 to 1,200 pesos (about 30 to 65 USD) and boards rent by the day on every beach.
West of town, the lagoon village at Lagunas de Chacahua has a left point and very few people. East along the coast, Mazunte and Zipolite are for beaches more than surf: Zipolite’s shore break and rip currents are dangerous for swimmers. Further east, the coast around Salina Cruz and Barra de la Cruz has long right-hand points that come alive on south swells, usually reached with a local guide or surf camp because breaks are spread out along dirt roads.
Sayulita and the Riviera Nayarit#
Sayulita, about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta airport, is the most popular place in Mexico to learn: a mellow right and left in front of the town, surf shops on every corner and a lively plaza. It gets very crowded, so quieter San Pancho next door and the reef and point breaks around Punta de Mita, on the northern tip of Banderas Bay, are good alternatives. Winter brings small, friendly northwest swells; summer brings bigger south swells, heat and rain.
Banderas Bay itself is sheltered, with sailing charters, paddleboards and kayaks from Puerto Vallarta’s marina and beaches, and boat trips to the Islas Marietas for snorkelling. Further down the coast, Troncones near Zihuatanejo and Pascuales in Colima have strong local scenes, but check current security advice for Guerrero, Michoacán and Colima before going; our Mexico safety guide has the state-by-state picture.
Baja California#
On the Pacific side of Baja California Sur, Cerritos beach near Todos Santos is the easy option: a sandy beach break with board rental and lessons, best in winter on northwest swells. Around San José del Cabo, breaks such as Costa Azul and Zippers work in summer on south swells. Scorpion Bay at San Juanico, halfway up the peninsula, is a remote set of long right points that can run for hundreds of metres. In the north, the island break off Ensenada is one of the best-known big waves on the coast, and Rosarito has easy beach breaks a short drive from the US border.
Kitesurfing: La Ventana and El Sargento, about an hour south-east of La Paz, are Mexico’s kitesurfing centre. From about November to March, a northerly wind called El Norte and the afternoon thermal blow across the bay most days, with the strongest months usually December to February. Schools and rental shops line the beach and the scene is relaxed, with camping and small rentals rather than resorts. Summer is nearly windless.
Sea kayaking: Isla Espíritu Santo, a protected island off La Paz, is the classic multi-day trip: outfitters run guided three to six day expeditions with beach camps, sea lion colonies and pink cliffs, mostly from about October to May. Day trips are easy too. The marine park off Loreto has island paddling among Isla Coronado and Danzante, and Bahía Concepción near Mulegé has sheltered beaches where you can rent a kayak and camp on the sand.
Caribbean coast#
The Caribbean has little surf because the reef blocks the swell, but plenty of flat-water sport. On Holbox, shallow, warm water and steady winter wind make one of the best kite spots for beginners in Mexico, and Isla Blanca, north of Cancún, is the main kite beach near the city. Hotel beaches along the Riviera Maya rent paddleboards, kayaks and Hobie Cats, and catamaran trips run from Cancún to Isla Mujeres.
The lagoon at Bacalar, near the Belize border, is freshwater, shallow and coloured in bands of blue. Paddleboards and kayaks rent by the hour, and sunrise SUP tours and sailboat trips go to the Pirates’ Channel and the stromatolites. The stromatolites are protected, so never stand on or touch them.
When to go#
- Pacific surf: biggest from about April to October on south swells, with Zicatela at its heaviest from May to September. Winter (November to March) brings smaller northwest swells that suit beginners in Nayarit and Baja.
- Wind: La Ventana and Holbox from about November to March or April.
- Kayaking: Sea of Cortez from about October to May; summer is very hot.
- Hurricanes: the Pacific season runs from mid-May and the Atlantic from June, both to November, peaking from about August to October.
Our best time to visit Mexico page and the best beaches in Mexico guide have more.
Costs, rentals and safety#
- Surf lessons: roughly 500 to 1,200 pesos (30 to 65 USD) for a two-hour group lesson in Puerto Escondido or Sayulita; board rental from a few hundred pesos a day.
- Kitesurf: a beginner course of several sessions runs to a few hundred USD in La Ventana or Holbox; book ahead in January and February.
- Kayak expeditions: guided multi-day Espíritu Santo trips are priced in USD and include food and camping; day trips are much cheaper.
- Rentals: SUP and kayak hire on Caribbean beaches and in Bacalar costs a few hundred pesos an hour.
Learn to surf in winter and come back for the big swells in summer: the same breaks in Puerto Escondido and Sayulita are friendly from December to March and serious from May to September.
Rip currents
Many open Pacific beaches, including Zicatela and Zipolite, have strong rip currents and no lifeguards. Surf only within your ability, ask locally before paddling out, and swim in sheltered coves.
For surf elsewhere in the region, see surfing in North America, surfing in Central America and the world’s best surf destinations. Underwater, our Mexico diving guide covers Cozumel and the cenotes.
Best places for water sports in Mexico#
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More Things to Do#
Mexico water sports FAQs#
Where is the best surfing in Mexico?
Puerto Escondido has the most famous wave, Zicatela, and good beginner spots nearby. Sayulita and Punta de Mita are best for learning, and Baja has long point breaks such as Scorpion Bay.
When is the surf season in Mexico?
The Pacific has surf all year. South swells from about April to October bring the biggest waves; winter swells from November to March are smaller and better for beginners.
Where can I learn to surf in Mexico?
Sayulita, La Punta and Carrizalillo in Puerto Escondido, and Cerritos near Todos Santos are the classic spots, with many schools and soft waves. Group lessons cost roughly 500 to 1,200 pesos.
Where is the best kitesurfing in Mexico?
La Ventana near La Paz in Baja California Sur, from about November to March. In the Caribbean, Holbox has shallow, flat water that suits beginners.
Can you sea kayak in Mexico?
Yes. The Sea of Cortez is one of the best sea kayaking areas in North America, with guided multi-day trips around Isla Espíritu Santo from La Paz and island paddling off Loreto, mostly from October to May.
Is it safe to swim at Mexico's Pacific beaches?
Not everywhere. Many open beaches such as Zicatela and Zipolite have strong rip currents, so swim in sheltered coves and ask locally.