Roam Chronicles
Surfing in Mexico
The surfing in Mexico is practically endless. Mexico is a huge country that boasts around 6,000 miles of coastline on both the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico (plus a little of the Caribbean).
As a surfing destination, this geography offers almost endless opportunities for surf exploration and travel.
This resource will explore the different surf zones and surf spots throughout Mexico, although to call the list comprehensive would be a lie.
Making a full list of all the places to surf in Mexico might just be impossible, but we’ll touch on some favorites, places we’ve been or have read about, and sprinkle in some great resources and books on Mexico to follow up on when you plan your next surf trip to this special place.
Surfing in Mexico – Pacific
It is true that Mexico offers multiple coastlines to explore, but when it comes to surf you can really just focus on the Pacific coast.
Just the Pacific coast of Mexico is around 4,500 miles of coastline, all with different seasons and swell angles. There are the dry expanses of Baja and the tropical jungles of Oaxaca.
So, like a road trip that begins with a border crossing from San Diego to Tijuana, we’ll just start at the top and work our way down.
Surfing in Mexico – Baja California
The peninsula of Baja California extends 1,000 miles from Tijuana, just over the US border, to Cabo San Lucas at the tip of Baja California Sur. For reference, this compares to California’s 840 miles of coastline.
The one big difference, of course, is that all of Baja has a population of around 4 million people while California, well, you know what’s going on there.
775 miles of coastline, no people, empty waves. That’s what a surf trip to Baja has on tap for anyone willing to go take a look.
Ok, back to Baja Norte.
Surfing Baja California Norte
Baja California Norte extends from Mexicali down to El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve at a town called Las Perchas.
However, an important thing to keep in mind is that Highway 1 only hugs the Pacific coastline for the first 200 miles or so.
After that, the trip from the highway to the beach is its own adventure in geolocation and offroading. Don’t look to Google Maps for help here.
Tijuana
Just over the border, there is surf in Tijuana.
Surf spots in Tijuana include San Antonio del Mar, Baja Malibu, Marisol North Point, Marisol.
Rosarito
Surfing in Rosarito includes Rosarito Beach, Renes to the south.
K38
In between Rosarito and Ensenada is a popular area called K38 after the highway exit, you guessed it, K38.
Other breaks in the area include Alfonsos, Popotla, Calafia, Teresa’s, and Las Gaviotas.
Santa Anita
Further south from K38, where Highway 1 begins to head inland and Highway 10 continues south, are a series of breaks near the town of Santa Anita.
These surf spots include Compo Lopez (K55), K55 ½, Primo Tapia, Rauls, Cantamar, Dunes, Halfway House, Alisitos, La Fonda, and La Mision.
Highway 10
At this point, you can continue along the coast knowing that you’ll reconnect with Highway 1 just north of Ensenada. It isn’t the point of no return yet!
Continuing south from Santa Anita on Highway 10, you’ll hit La Salina, El Paso, Salsipuedes, San Miguel, and California Trailer Park.
Ensenada
The town of Ensenada is tucked into a nice bay with the breaks we just mentioned within reach to the north side of town.
It is possible to surf the Ensenada beaches to the south, although they are in a more protected, north-facing area.
At Ensenada, Highway 1 truly turns east and no longer hugs the coastline until you get down to Camalu about 100 miles to the south.
There is plenty of surf exploration to be done here, you’ll just have to be a bit more self-sufficient to get to places like Cabo Colonet.
From Camalu to El Campito you are within striking distance of the beach from Highway 1 again with all sorts of opportunities to grab empty waves.
At El Camptio, Highway 1 again heads inland, this time until Playa Altamira and Miller’s Landing where you’ll have a slightly north-facing coastline until you head out of Baja California and into Baja California Sur at El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve.
Rincon de Baja
Punta Baja
Surfing Baja California Sur
The first stop in Baja California Sur could be Turtle Bay but getting there will take you a ways off of the highway.
Scorpion Bay
Todos Santos
Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo
Surfing in Cabo San Lucas area is really a surf trip towards San Jose del Cabo to the east.
A good place to start is by checking out the Cabo Surf Hotel with Old Man’s breaking right out front. It doesn’t get much more convenient and serves as a great place to stay for either that short surf trip or a staging are to explore the rest of Cabo.
Surfing around Cabo will include great breaks such as Old Man’s, Zippers, Pescadito, La Roca.
Renting a surfboard in Cabo? Be sure to check out Costa Azul Surf Shop.
Surfing in Mexico – Mainland
Mazatlan
San Blas
Puerto Vallarta
Manzanillo
Paraiso, Boca de Pascuales, Mascota
La Ticla
Guerrero
Troncones and Manzanillo Bay
Troncones Mexico surfing is an epic way to get into your Mexico surfing exploration. An easy, short drive from Zihuatanejo will get you there and into the water quickly.
Whether you are camped out at The Ranch, or comfortable right on the point at the Inn at Manzanillo Bay, your surf trip to Troncones has everything you are looking for in a Mexico surf adventure – warm water, great waves, point breaks, and fresh ceviche.
Learn more about Troncones Mexico surfing and Manzanillo Bay with our guide.
Related read: Terremoto: An Earthquake in Troncones
Oaxaca
Puerto Escondido
Mexico Travel Articles
Terremoto – An Earthquake in Troncones
Costa Azul – The Place To Rent Surfboards in Cabo
Surf Trip to Mexico in your future? Here are some of our other Mexico guides and resources:
Cabo Surf Hotel – The Perfect Cabo Surf Trip Hotel?
Surf Travel Insurance – Get it here.
Related Travel Books and Articles
Travel Book Reviews and Recommendations
