La Bocana≈ 20 min
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Spots by level
Surf spots on the Oaxaca coast
From the wave that forgives to the one that forgives no one: where to surf between Puerto Escondido and Salina Cruz for your level.
Beginner3 spots
Intermediate3 spots
Advanced3 spots
FromHuatulco
Check the ocean before you choose
El Mojón30–40 min
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Barra de la Cruz40–50 min
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Zicatela≈ 2 h
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Open-ocean swell, not a beach report: the real wave depends on the bottom, tide and wind. Approximate drive times from La Crucecita. Data: Open-Meteo.com
Beginner spots
Your first waves
Soft waves, sandy bottom and schools on the beach.
La Bocana
≈ 20 minHuatulco · river / sand
The friendliest wave near Huatulco. On small days it's ideal for your first waves, with a school, lessons and rentals on the beach.
San Agustinillo
≈ 1 hMazunte · sand beach
A small village between Mazunte and Zipolite with waves that suit learners. Beginner lessons and board rentals available.
Carrizalillo
≈ 2 hPuerto Escondido · small cove
The cove where many Puerto locals learned: soft, slow waves and board rentals on the sand. It gets busy, so go early.
Rocks and currents on the sides: stay in the middle of the bay.
Intermediate spots
You paddle out alone
Longer waves with more wall, and some crowd.
El Mojón
30–40 minEast of Huatulco · sand bottom
Fewer people than Barra and a punchier wave. For surfers who paddle out alone and read the ocean well.
First time? Go with someone who knows the break.
La Punta
≈ 2 hPuerto Escondido · point / sand
The southern end of Zicatela: a much softer wave than its neighbour, with surf schools on the beach. On small days it even works for lessons with an instructor.
Crowded in the mornings, with rocks near the peak.
Barra de la Cruz
40–50 minEast of Huatulco · right point
On small to medium days it's a long, fun right for intermediates. When the swell fills in it turns into something else (see advanced).
Advanced spots
Point breaks and big waves
South swells, barrels and localism. Come with experience.
Barra de la Cruz
40–50 minEast of Huatulco · right point
On a south swell: a barreling section up top and long walls into the bay. Home of the 2006 Rip Curl Search won by Andy Irons.
Community access with a fee. Busy when it's on.
Zicatela
≈ 2 hPuerto Escondido · beach break
The "Mexican Pipeline": heavy barrels over sand that grow to several metres on a swell. Host of the WSL Big Wave Tour's Puerto Escondido Challenge.
Experienced big-wave surfers only. Not a swimming beach.
Punta Conejo
≈ 2.5 hSalina Cruz · right point
The first of the chain of long sand-bottom rights between Salina Cruz and Huatulco. On a strong south swell, rides of hundreds of metres.
Strong localism: go with a local guide.
Four rules that save you a scare
Rip currents
A darker, calmer strip of water between breaking waves is a rip. If it pulls you, don't fight it: paddle parallel to the beach.
Watch for 15 minutes
Before paddling out, see where it breaks, where locals paddle out and how often sets come.
Respect the peak
The surfer closest to where the wave breaks has priority. Don't drop in on anyone.
Don't surf new spots alone
Especially El Mojón, Barra or the Salina Cruz points. A local or a guide saves you trouble.
Frequently asked
What's the best beginner spot near Huatulco?
La Bocana, about 20 minutes from La Crucecita, on a small day. If you head toward Mazunte, San Agustinillo is another good option.
Can I surf Zicatela as an intermediate?
Some do on very small days, but we don't recommend it. La Punta, at the southern end of the same beach, is a better call.
Do I need a car to reach the spots?
For El Mojón and Barra de la Cruz, yes, or a hired driver. La Bocana is close and easy by taxi.
Sources: Lonely Planet and Surfnerd (La Bocana); México Desconocido (San Agustinillo); WSL and Stab Magazine (Barra de la Cruz, Zicatela); Surfnerd and Waterways Travel (Punta Conejo).