13 Best Surfing Destinations in Mexico (2025)

For California-based surfers, the most convenient place to visit in Mexico is Baja California Norte. Just 20 miles south of the border, Rosarito Beach is a popular surfing destination known for its consistent surf breaks and stunning scenery. It can get crowded as there are waves that suit all levels with both left and right-hand breaks.

Break Types: Beach, Reef, and Point Breaks
Levels: All levels
Board Types: All boards
Best Season: Summer

44 miles south of Rosarito is Ensenada, a picturesque coastal city that’s a hidden gem for surfing in Mexico. Its location on the Pacific Ocean provides several surf spots with consistent swells and waves, making it an ideal destination for surfers of all levels. Some popular surf breaks around Ensenada include San Miguel, 3Ms, and Estero. With its breathtaking views, rich marine life, and diverse surf breaks, Ensenada is a true paradise for surfing enthusiasts.

Break Types: Beach, Reef, and Point Breaks
Levels: All levels
Board Types: All boards
Best Season: Year-round, biggest in winter

San Jose del Cabo is great for beginner and intermediate surfers, with numerous surf shops, surf schools, and surf-related events and competitions throughout the year. Costa Azul is the most popular beach for learning to surf. The waves are mellow and forgiving for first-time surfers and groms. Be sure to check out a surf school if you’re interested in having a professional instructor show you the ropes.

Break Types: Reef Break
Levels: Beginners
Board Types: All boards
Best Season: Summer

Cerritos is a small surf town located a few miles north of Cabo San Lucas on the Pacific coast of Baja California. Unlike Cabo, Cerritos has a small town vibe and a much more laid back setting, which can be great for people looking to chill out on the water. Cerritos Beach has consistently good waves with left and right-hand breaks that are good for beginners to advanced, depending on the wave size that day. Consider taking a surf lesson if this is your first time!

Break Types: Point Break
Levels: All levels
Board Types: All boards
Best Season: Winter

If you’re looking for even warmer waters and a tropical setting complete with jungle-lined beaches, it’s best to travel beyond Baja and head for mainland Mexico. The first stop on the mainland for surfers is Mazatlan, which is another classic Mexican hotspot for travelers and beach lovers. While it’s not as well known among surfers as some other surfing destinations in the country, Mazatlan still boasts a number of excellent surf breaks like those found at Playa Brujula, Camaron Beach, and Teacapan.

Break Types: Beach and Point Breaks
Levels: All levels
Board Types: All boards
Best Season: Summer

A few hours south of Mazatlan is a large body of water known as Banderas Bay, which is home to Puerto Vallarta and a number of other popular beach destinations. Punta Mita is a large resort area located at the northwestern corner of the bay.

Since it’s located right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Punta Mita offers a number of world-class surf breaks like The Lighthouse and The Cove, as well as some more protected beaches like La Lancha that are ideal for beginning surfers and longboarders. If you are lucky, you might share the water with humpback whales, which come here every winter to give birth.

Break Types: Reef, Beach, and Point Breaks
Levels: All levels
Board Types: All boards
Best Season: Year-round, biggest in winter

A short distance up the coast from Punta Mita is Sayulita, a charming beach town that’s gained popularity in recent years as a longboarding paradise. Sayulita’s colorful streets, surf shops, art galleries, and excellent restaurants make up a perfect backdrop to the surf breaks just offshore. Locals and expats in Sayulita embrace a laid-back, easy-going way of life, which makes the town perfect for a relaxing surfing vacation.

Break Types: Beach and Reef Breaks
Levels: All levels
Board Types: Longboards
Best Season: Summer

About two-thirds of the way between Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta is the small town of San Blas, a hidden gem for surfers with world-class waves and an off-the-beaten-path vibe. The breaks at San Blas are known for their consistent waves and uncrowded lineups, making it an ideal spot for those looking to escape the crowds and aim for a traditional Mexican surfing experience. Watch out for exposed rocks during low tide and strong rip currents.

Break Types: Beach and Reef Breaks
Levels: All levels
Board Types: All boards
Best Season: Summer

One of the best places in Oaxaca for experienced surfers is Puerto Escondido, which is known for its powerful waves and thrilling surf breaks. Here you’ll find Playa Zicatela, home of the famous Mexican Pipeline (experienced surfers only!) with seemingly endless barrel opportunities. Further down the beach is the beginner-friendly La Punta with a left-hand point break. This is the place to test your surfing skills in front of one of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

Break Types: Beach and Point Breaks
Levels: All levels
Board Types: All boards
Best Season: Year-round, biggest in summer

The Oaxaca coast offers a number of remote surfing destinations that are perfect for surfers who love a secluded, authentic surfing experience. One of these spots is Barra de la Cruz, a beachside village about 80 miles east of Puerto Escondido. Like many of the surf spots in Oaxaca, Barra de la Cruz is best for experienced surfers since the waves here can be quite powerful. The right-hand point break provides some seriously rippable waves when the conditions are right. The area has very little tourist infrastructure, which adds to the charm.

Break Types: Point Break
Levels: Intermediate/Advanced
Board Types: Short boards
Best Season: Summer

Another great surf village along the Oaxaca coast is Chacahua, a small village known for its unspoiled beaches, pristine natural environment, and consistent surf. Unlike many of the other beaches in the area, Chacahua caters to surfers of all levels, with a variety of surf breaks for beginner, intermediate, and advanced surfers. The village itself is small and rustic, with a handful of restaurants and guest houses, and camping that cater to surfers and other travelers.

Break Types: Point Break
Levels: All levels
Board Types: Short boards
Best Season: Summer

No trip to Oaxaca would be complete without a stop at Salina Cruz, a surfing and fishing town that makes a killer addition to any Mexico surf trip. This spot serves up consistently good waves that are both left and right-handers. Barrelling beach breaks make for endless fun for more advanced surfers. The waves at Salina Cruz are epic and are not to be missed if you’re an experienced surfer.

Break Types: Point and Beach Breaks
Levels: Intermediate/Advanced
Board Types: Short boards
Best Season: Summer

This famous right-hand point break won’t let you down. With reliable surf year-round and on all swell directions, Troncones draws surfers from around the globe. Surf camps are popular here so if you want to learn it’s a great place, and if you’re already an experienced surfer, be ready to share the waves. It’s just outside of the popular beach destination, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo making it relatively easy to access thanks to the international airport.

Break Types: Point Break
Levels: All levels
Board Types: All boards
Best Season: Year-round