Wavehunters Reports on Surf Spots in Punta de Mita, Riviera Nayarit Wavehunters
go to original February 10, 2013

Mexico's Riviera Nayarit spans 100 miles of pristine coastline, from Nuevo Vallarta all the way to San Blas.

The highest concentration of quality surf spots in this region is around the Northern tip of the Bay of Banderas where there are over a dozen pristine surf breaks with crystal clear tropical water.

In the heart of the Riviera, Punta de Mita is an impressive 1,500-acre pear-shaped peninsula surrounded by the Pacific on three sides — and home to one of the most awe-inspiring coastlines in the entire country.

The villas and resorts that have sprung up along these golden shores are nothing short of spectacular, and offer visitors an elite combination of championship golf, trophy game fishing, gourmet dining, and top-drawer service in an extraordinary setting.

At the same time, all the development of this region has created access complications to the surf breaks, making it very difficult to access the majority of the breaks by car. Wavehunters' Nayarit Surf Tours utilize panga boats as the everyday transportation from your accommodations to the surf, with overland transportation a secondary option when necessary to access the few breaks outside the bay that we occasionally drive to on the appropriate swell conditions.

The surf in this region of Mexico is generally 1/2 to 1/3 the size on South swells of more powerful breaks to the South such as Pascuales, Nexpa, or Puerto Escondido.

For average surfers, longboarders and SUP this is welcome news considering mainland Mexico's surf can reach 20-30ft at the most exposed spots. It is unusual to see surf over 6-8ft face heights in this region. What is lost in size is compensated for in quality, the spots inside the bay well protected and offshore in the dominant afternoon Westerlies.

The swell angle for this region is limited by 2 factors, Cabo Corrientes to the South and the tip of Baja to the North. Therefore swells over 300degrees and under 200degrees generally don't make it into the bay. The ideal swell angles are 205-230 (SW) or 280-300 (WNW).

The SW swells are most common from April to October and the WNW swells from December to March. Tropical swells from storms passing to the West provide another source of swell from June-October. Still, the multiple swell sources do not guarantee consistency because of the fact that some S swells are under 200degrees and some N swells are over 300degrees.

Overall the surf is very consistent for longboarding and SUP and less consistent for shortboarding. For this reason, this is a great destination for longboarders, SUP, beginners and intermediates, while potentially disappointing Alpha shortboarders seeking larger, hollower surf on a daily basis, although it is possible to luck into some bigger surf maybe 60 days of the year or less.

If you're a mellow surfer with a positive attitude seeking a nice trip with your girlfriend, wife, family or friends, and enjoy experimenting with different equipment, maybe a little golf, fishing, or snorkeling, you'll be very content here in this tropical paradise.

The breaks in this region are a mix of coral reef and rock bottom with a few beachbreaks. There are both right and left breaks, but rights are dominant by about 2 to 1. A-frame peaks, long walls, rippable sections, and perfect lines are typical of this region, not so much big tubes, but there are opportunities to get barreled including a few ledges and reefs.

The dry season is from November to April and the wet season is from May to October, although both can be lovely. The dry season is cooler and less humid, while sultrier tropical weather prevails in the wet season.

Wavehunters range of accommodations include a 12-key Boutique Hotel on the surf break at El Anclote in the Village of Punta de Mita, a 4-bedroom Penthouse across the street from the beach, and a Luxury 4-bedroom Villa on El Faro point break at La Punta Estates.

Our tours are packaged with airport greeting and roundtrip transfers, breakfast and lunch daily, your choice of accommodations, concierge services, daily boat trips with local surf guides, and optional surfing or SUP lessons, fishing or snorkeling trips.

We work with a group of surf instructors and guides who we refer to as The Founding Fathers of Punta de Mita Surfing. All grew up surfing these local waves. They not only teach, and work with local kids to keep the Mita surfing tradition alive and well, but many compete in Mexico's national competitions.

This is truly a tropical paradise, where the ocean offers choice waves for surfers, cool breezes for sailors and an underwater world for divers filled with dolphins, sea turtles, humpback whales and myriad tropical fish. On land, the sandy beaches fringed with palms that give way to an exuberant jungle that marches up hills and peaks. The call of tropical birds fills the morning air, and the rustle of wildlife accompanies hikers seeking closer encounters with Mother Nature.

Trip Highlights:

• Short inexpensive flight to Puerto Vallarta, Only 45min drive from airport
• Year-round waves. NW and SW swell exposure
• Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Level Waves available
• Great Longboarding and Stand-up paddle surfing
• Experienced local boat guides and surf instructors
•Luxury Couples and family-friendly accommodations
• Punta de Mita world class activities: Beaches, Golf, Fishing, Snorkeling, Dining and more
• Safe

For more information, visit Wavehunters, Punta de Mita.