Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido was discovered by surfers in the late 1950s and has since then gained a worldwide reputation. The town is renowned for the famous “Mexican Pipeline” wave at Zicatela Beach. Along with the “Pipeline“ on Hawaii’s Northshore, “Mexpipe“ is one of the most powerful barrels in the world. In autumn it can reach up to 10m in height.
Carrizalillo
This bay contains a beautiful beach which usually has the best waves to learn to surf. Its waves break deep on a rock reef and works best when the swell is coming from a southern direction. With long soft waves this beach offers the beginner surfer the opportunity to try and stand up twice on the same wave. It is nearly certain that a learner will be successful in surfing at Carrizalillo.
La Punta
The small waves of the point is ideal for beginners especially who are ‘goofy’ or left footed. The medium sized waves are a favourite of intermediate surfers. These waves are large and slow, break from right to left, and start at the rocks and end at the sand on the beach. The best time for beginners is at high tide. At low tide the waves are a bit faster and are shaped like a tube.
Marinero
This beach is best when the swell direction is from the north. It has waves that break both left and right onto deep water with a sandy beach below. Marinero could be classed as the “little Zicatela”. Here you will often get a shorter, faster, more tube-like wave that is ideal for beginners who want a bit more of an adrenalin rush.
Zicatela
Zicatela has a stronger and faster wave, which breaks in deep sandy water, making it ideal for experts. There are waves all year round. In the winter, there can be periods of smaller waves, giving advanced learners the opportunity to test their newfound surfing skills.
La Barra de Colotepec
This beach is recommended for intermediate surfers. The waves are generally tubular in nature and high tide is best for developing surfing skills. The river Colotepec empties into this area, thus producing different wave directions and peaks. The best waves break between November and March with currents from the north