Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa are privileged with sublime beaches and ride-worthy waves. For many zankas (locals) here, surf is a way of life. Playas (beaches) in and near these sister towns offer excellent waves to surf, from long and mellow rides to short and intense waves of all sizes.

This article shares a descriptive list of some great surf spots for beginner, intermediate and experienced surfers in the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo areas. Our good friend Leonel Perez at Catcha L'Ola Surf Shop in Ixtapa offers surf lessons, surf tours and surf & SUP board rentals. Always wanted to learn how to surf? Contact us and we will connect you with Leonel Perez to set up your lesson. You'll be hooked!

Surf Spots

Surfers come year round; Summer swells are large and common, while the beaches transition in winter with less swells yet numerous great waves. Each morning, strong wind blows offshore from the north creating glassy conditions, come midday the winds die down going either onshore (south) in winter, or sideshore (west) in the summer- great for left handers. Our unexposed beaches demand substantial swells or west swells in order for the waves to break. And if you’re a wave seeker, you must be adventurous to discover our hidden waves .

Las Gatas (Experienced)

This gorgeous white-sand beach has the most iconic wave in Zihuatanejo bay . It is 150 metres in length with a reef bottom, many sections and mucho locals. This unexposed beach breaks few times each year, demanding a large swell. The wave is fast and great for shortboards.There are many available restaurants and activities alongside this beach such as snorkeling, making it great for your partner to tag along.

La Saladita (Beginners and Intermediate)

Just 20 minutes north from Zihuatanejo, La Saladita is a mellow, long left-hander point break that breaks all year long. Its ideal swell size would be head-high to double overhead and it is perfect for longboarding. This rocky bottom beach holds longboarding contests each year. La Saladita’s beach offers hotels, restaurants, board rentals and surf lessons . This beach tends to be crowded weeklong.

El Rancho (Intermediate and Experienced)

El Rancho is known to be one of the finest waves in Guerrero with a multifold of sections and long lefts, preferring short boards. This beach consists of rocks and reef and is a consistent wave. The perfect swell is equal to that of La Saladita’s. There is one small restaurant here where surfers gather to eat breakfast after surf.

Playa Linda (Beginners and Intermediate)

Playa Linda can be found in the second hotel zone of Ixtapa. This river rock beach is surfable year long and is suitable for both short and longboards . There is a great amount of spots including both lefts and rights, with a long left at the end. Playa Linda is a common spot where people go for surfing lessons.

Escolleras (Intermediate and Experienced)

Escolleras is Ixtapa’s most iconic wave located at the end of Ixtapa beach in the hotel zone. Locally known as the wedge, this spot is great for both surfers and bodyboarders. This wave is a right-hander and surfable all day. The wedge gets mucho barrels and rails and it can hold a sizeable swell. You can get a good ride but there are many closeouts and currents.

Lifestyle

Surfing Locations in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo