I have surfed all over Mexico, from Baja’s desert points to the warm water of Guerrero and Oaxaca. When I think about the best longboard waves in Mexico, I consider more than ride length. Consistency, crowds, access, and the surrounding trip all matter. Some exceptional waves require real commitment, while the easiest ones to reach often have the busiest lineups.
This is my honest shortlist based on time in the water, not a roundup of every soft wave on the coast. For the wider picture, see my guide to surfing in Mexico.
Best Longboard Waves in Mexico: How I Rank Them
| Surf area | Why I would go | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|
| La Saladita | My favorite pure longboard wave | Current Guerrero travel advisory |
| Scorpion Bay | Long right points and a memorable Baja road trip | Remote access and fickle swell |
| Punta Mita | The best mix of mellow waves and backup options | El Anclote needs the right swell |
| Sayulita | The easiest surf-town trip without a car | A very crowded lineup |
| Cerritos | A practical longboard stop in southern Baja | Not an endless peeling point |
| Puerto Escondido | Warm water, energy, and several wave choices | Many waves are stronger than they look |
| Matanchen Bay | A legendary long right when it truly turns on | Too inconsistent to build a trip around |
La Saladita Is Still My Benchmark
La Saladita is the first wave I think of for longboarding on mainland Mexico. I have had rides here that went on until my legs were tired. The left gives me time to settle in, move my feet, trim, and make small adjustments without rushing every turn. It can be gentle, but a good surfer on a log can do a lot with it.
South swells bring the more memorable days from spring into fall. Winter can be smaller and friendlier for a traditional log. The lineup has become busier, so I paddle out early, watch the rotation, and learn how waves are being shared before sitting deep.
Where I would stay: Casa Pacifica Saladita and La Chuparosa de Saladita both put you close enough to react to wind and crowd changes without organizing a drive.
Important travel note: La Saladita is in Guerrero, which the U.S. State Department currently lists at Level 4, Do Not Travel. That does not change my opinion of the wave, but it changes whether I would recommend the trip right now. Check the current Mexico travel advisory before booking because official guidance can change.
Scorpion Bay Is the Longboard Road Trip
Scorpion Bay, or San Juanico, is a different experience: a chain of right points wrapping around a dry Baja headland. When the swell lines up, the rides can be exceptional. When it does not, it can feel like a very long drive to stare at undersized lines.
I like Second Point because it can offer an approachable wall without needing the biggest swell. The points do not all behave alike, and connecting them is never guaranteed. Come prepared to wait and surf whichever point is actually working.
The remoteness means carrying spares, fuel, water, cash, and a repair kit. Scorpion Bay Hotel is the obvious surf-focused stay. I cover more of the peninsula in my guide to the best longboard waves in Baja California.
Punta Mita Gives Me the Most Options
Punta Mita is my mainland choice when I want several options instead of gambling on one break. El Anclote is the headline wave, a mellow right that can run far across the bay. It is not especially consistent, so I treat a proper El Anclote day as a gift rather than the foundation of the trip.
La Lancha is more dependable and has room for longboards when the swell is manageable, though lessons and day trips make it busy. Punta Mita rewards flexibility more than attachment to one forecast.
Hotel Meson de Mita is convenient for the village and beach. Punto Mita Eco Surf Suites is a practical option with kitchenettes. My Punta Mita surf guide covers the surrounding breaks.
Sayulita Works When Convenience Matters
I have watched Sayulita become much busier over the years. I would not choose it for solitude, but I understand its appeal. You can walk to the beach, rent almost any board, surf, eat, and go out without a car. On smaller mornings, the main break offers enough slope to enter early and find soft shoulders.
The crowd is the defining issue. Beginners, instructors, travelers, and experienced locals converge in a small takeoff area, so I go early. I also would not send a novice to San Pancho merely as a quieter substitute. Its beach break is generally more forceful than Sayulita.
Petit Hotel Hafa is a good choice if you want to stay in the center and walk to the surf. See my dedicated guide to surfing in Sayulita, or start with my Mexico beginner surf guide if this will be your first trip.
Cerritos Is My Practical Southern Baja Pick
Cerritos is not Mexico’s longest point wave, so I describe it as practical rather than perfect. The point and nearby beach peaks give you options. On a smaller, clean day, a longboard makes the most of its softer sections. When the swell rises, the beach becomes powerful and less forgiving.
I like Cerritos for a mixed trip. Todos Santos and El Pescadero provide food and worthwhile downtime when the wind rises. Olas de Cerritos is a short walk from the beach. Compare the area in my guides to surfing near Todos Santos and surfing in Baja California Sur.
I Approach Puerto Escondido Differently on a Longboard
Puerto Escondido belongs here, but Zicatela is not where I casually take a longboard. Even when it looks manageable, its speed, current, and impact zone are serious. I look toward Carrizalillo on smaller days or La Punta when the swell and crowd allow it.
Carrizalillo is sheltered, but its lineup becomes cramped quickly. A large board requires awareness around learners. La Punta offers longer lefts, yet calling it mellow is misleading. It gets crowded, develops fast sections, and gains much more push as a south swell builds.
I stayed at One Love Hostal in La Punta, which worked as a relaxed surf base. Villas Carrizalillo is the more comfortable choice near the cove. Read my guide to surfing in Puerto Escondido before choosing a neighborhood.
Matanchen Bay Is a Beautiful Gamble
Matanchen’s long right is part of Mexican surf history, but the bay can be flat for long stretches. The famous version requires a substantial, well-angled swell. I would chase it when forecasts and local reports agree, but I would not book a whole trip expecting it to appear.
If it turns on, its length and easy angle suit a longboard. Otherwise, San Blas still has food, estuaries, and other beaches. Hotel Garza Canela is an established base. Bring serious insect repellent because the biting insects can be relentless when the wind drops.
The Season Changes the Answer
There is no best month for every break. From late fall through early spring, I watch Nayarit and southern Baja for north and northwest swell and manageable longboard days. Spring through fall brings southern energy to La Saladita, El Anclote, and La Punta, but it can turn friendly-looking waves into heavier surf.
I plan around the wave first and the town second, leaving room to change breaks after seeing the ocean. A forecast cannot show how crowded a takeoff feels or whether a sandbar has shifted.
What I Actually Bring
- A real board bag: I protect the rails and nose carefully for flights and long drives.
- Soft racks: Rental cars and taxis do not always have a safe way to carry a longboard.
- Extra leash, fin hardware, wax, and repair supplies: Small surf towns may not carry the exact replacement I need.
- Sun protection: I use a rashguard and reef-safe sunscreen because tropical sessions add up quickly.
- Pesos: I do not rely on one ATM. I once had to hitch a ride to another town just to withdraw cash.
If I can bring two boards, I pair a traditional longboard with a mid-length for stronger days. That covers more of Mexico than forcing one heavy log into every condition.
Where I Would Book First
Based only on wave quality, La Saladita remains my favorite. For the trip I would most readily recommend right now, Punta Mita is easier because it offers several breaks and straightforward accommodations. Choose Scorpion Bay when remoteness is part of the appeal. Sayulita wins on convenience, Cerritos fits a broader Baja trip, and Puerto Escondido suits surfers who want energy and variety.
Mexico has waves that belong among the best longboard waves in the world, but the right choice is the place whose swell, access, crowds, and commitment match the trip you want.