There’s lots to like about Mazatlan surfing. Beaches that do really well on summer SW swells combine with spots for all levels. Plus, this city now has an enchanting colonial old town that’s just steps from some of its best waves.
An introduction to Mazatlan surfing
Mazatlan really holds the torch for Sinaloa when it comes to waves. The town is fantastically spread across a strangely shaped bubble in the Mexican Pacific coast that means there are beaches facing in three directions: South, west, and north. That means swells of all compass orientations work their way in neatly to the sands virtually all year round, though the big Southern Hemisphere pulses of June to August are by far the best.
There are some surprisingly quality waves on offer. We say surprisingly because it seems to us that Mazatlan rarely gets the plaudits of Cabo, the Baja, or even Nayarit. Put that down to the bad rep of Sinaloa (this was the home of a certain Netflix-famous cartel, after all) and embrace it, because the upshot is a smaller line up pretty much across the board.
We think it’s mentioning just how lovely the newly reworked old town here is. It’s plonked in the middle of the El Centro district and oozes charm. That’s where we’d always stay, since you’re withing walking distance of two of the best surf spots (Pinos and La Olas) and get cantinas and charming Baroque hotels. For big resorts, you can head north to the longer beach breaks that fringe the Golden Zone.
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This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Mexico
Surfing in Mazatlan at a glance
Wave type: Beach break, reef, point // Season: Summer but winter does work // Level: All levels
The good…
- Reliable swell almost all year
- Long beaches with lots of mush for beginners
- The city’s lovely old town area, the Centro Historico
The bad…
- Does MUCH better on summer SW swell
- Some crowds
- Some travelers still have qualms about going to Sinaloa (no thanks to Narcos)
What’s in this guide to Mazatlan surfing?
Where is Mazatlan?
The resort town of Mazatlan is about a quarter of the way up the coast of the Sinaloa region of Mexico. It occupies a shoe-horn in the shoreline, which means there are beaches that face south, beaches that face west, and beaches that face north – a joy for anyone looking for swell all year round! The nearest airport is the Mazatlán International Airport, which now has quite a few direct links with cities in the USA and other short-haul connections throughout Mexico. Other surfers come in via the direct ferry link from La Paz on the Baja, which is run by Baja Ferries and usually goes overnight.
Mazatlan surf spots
The surf in Mazatlan begins around Rucos beach, which is one of the first places that still gets good swell coverage despite the poking Baja California peninsula. From there, it rolls south through beaches and points that poke in all different directions to make for some pretty reliable surf territory. Here’s a look at the whole shebang…
Rucos
Rucos is the first of the beaches on the Mazatlan stretch that really gets the good SW swells in the summertime. It’s to the north of the city proper, and only really reachable if you have your own car (preferably a 4X4) or a ride up with one of the local surf schools (and most will come here since it’s so reliable).
There are actually two spots in Rucos. The first is the beach break. You can chase peaks up and down the whole stretch, which is about 3-4 miles in all. For the most part, it has a sandy bottom and tends to be quite dumpy, though there’s usually lots of secondary swell and whitewash for the learners.
The second is a pretty punchy left-hander that peels off a cluster of reef that pokes out from the middle of the playa. Because it points almost perfectly SW, it picks up loads of swell in the winter and can get pretty gnarly on its day. Leave this one for the intermediates and up since the take-off point is also shifty and you need decent paddle strength to stay in place.
Playa La Escopama
Playa La Escopama is actually protected from those dominant SW swells that really get thumping during the summer months. It’s a fact that keeps it relatively beginner friendly. It’s quiet, too, being around 20 minutes’ drive north from the Golden Zone and the main tourist areas. The downside is that it lacks shape and size. The waves here are really trickly mushburgers that can be okay but aren’t worth writing home about.
Playa Bruja
Ask most of the locals and they’ll say that Playa Bruja is the single best surf spot in Mazatlan. We like it, too, but think it lacks a touch of consistency in the low season (the winter months). When it’s small – say, 2-4 foot – it can turn into mushy dribblers that aren’t good for anyone but the tray riders. Bigger than that with long periods and a nice A-frame can bend into the reef at the north end of the beach and give fast left-right rides for 20 meters or so.
Playa Cerritos
A long run of shoreline that links the end of the Golden Zone with Bruja beach in the north, Playa Cerritos is all about okay but medicore shorebreaks that tend to pull right off the sandbanks. They’re dumpy and mushy but usually empty. We’d say a good option if there’s W in the swell compass or if you’re learning and want a spot to yourself for the morning.
El Camaron
El Camaron is the main name for the point break that forms up under headland of Punto Valentino. You should know that because it’s one of the most popular gathering points in the Golden Zone (the main resort area of the city), complete with grillhouses and hotels. This one’s on the north side of the rocks, which means it shapes into a nice left that can cruise off onto tapering shoulders for 20-30 meters if there’s enough size.
The downside here is that it takes extra power in the groundswell to work around this part of the Mazatlan coast. Wait for 5-7 foot at least and preferably a light offshore (which is actually N here). Usually will have a crowd because it’s so central but get in early and there are nice rippable shoulders to score.
Playa Olas Altas
The reason we love surfing Playa Olas Altas isn’t really the quality of the waves but the proximity to the enchanting heart of the Mazatlán old town. Just steps away from the tropical-Baroque buildings and shady streets, you can be scoring decent lefts off the headlands. The lack of any outer reefs means this one gets sucky and dumpy pretty quick. Smaller days are best. Watch out for swimmers.
Where to stay when surfing in Mazatlan?
We’re in no doubt that any surfer thinking of heading to Mazatlan should stay in the middle of the old town. It’s known as El Centro or Centro Historico and it’s recently undergone about 20 years of rejuvenation. The result? A charming, authentic Mexican-style village area with churches and plazas and pretty streets lined with colorful cantinas. The main alternative to that would be the Golden Zone. There are hotels there but they are big resort things that are often dated. Not really our scene.
Anyway, these would be our pick of stays:
Villa Serena Centro Historico
For something characterful and full of charm, the Villa Serena Centro Historico can’t be beaten. Within walking distance of Los Pinos and the main beach, it’s home to a series of spacious apartments that offer self-catering spaces and access to a garden pool shaded by palms. We loved it here and reckon you will too.
Hotel Raices de Mar
Another boutique hotel with a splash pool in the garden, Hotel Raices de Mar has upscale rooms with a bit of a boho feel to them. The restaurant here is fantastic and the location is quiet, but still in the heart of the Mazatlan old town.
Posada Bugambilia
The only option that’s not quite within the immersive old town area, Posada Bugambilia is worth a mention a) because it’s cheap and b) because it gets you closer to the lefts that break on the Valetinos headland.
Step-by-step guide to planning your [yoast_kw] trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the [yoast_kw]…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step four: Enjoy!
When to surf in Mazatlan?
The summer months are the best time to surf in Mazatlan. They bring the strong S, SW and – more occasionally – W swells to bear across the Mexican Pacific, sending in regular groundswells with nice long periods to work their way into the nooks and crannies of the coast.
This will be the biggest time of the year, and it’s not uncommon to see day after day of overheads. That can mean that beginners might be priced out, but fall and spring are decent alternatives without the same size. Winter still works, especially on beaches like Rucos and Escopama, which have a more northerly orientation and can hoover up NW-W swells.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
2 comments
Hi guys,
My name is Tim Ellis and I’ve scheduled a trip to take my wife to Matzatlan. I have regularly surfed on a SUP for the last 10 years+ and would like to surf while I’m there. Do you guys rent any reasonably good “surf” SUPs? I use SUNOVAS and usually ride boards that have 125-135 liters in volume. Also, do you have guides to take people surfing? I’m coming down the week of Feb 28- March 7and if there are waves I’d love to reserve a board and hook up with a guide. Please let me know if that would be possible.
Thanks, Tim Ellis
Hi Tim. Sorry – we aren’t an actual surf camp or rental spot in Matzatlan. The best people to contact would be the Matzatlan Surf School. They should be able to help with gear and guides.