Editor’s Note: The following post was written by Matty Liot, with all photos of their trip by contributor Ingrid Silva.
Photo: Ingrid Silva
After driving almost the entire coastline of Mexico and surfing as much as possible along the way, these are five surf spots worth visiting. This shouldn’t be looked at as the definitive list of Mexico’s “best” waves, or even acknowledged in any particular order. I came across these waves driving north to south and have seen others along the coast of much higher quality, I assure you. However, one thing leads to another and if you do happen onto any of these waves or places with good in your heart, a friendly local or seasoned fellow traveler will certainly point you in the right direction.
The Wall
Matty, sliding down one at The Wall. Photo: Ingrid Silva
This was the first place we stayed for an extended period of time, camping out in the middle of nowhere Baja style. We’d heard mixed reports about The Wall. It could be really good or it could be really windy. For us, it was both. It is the first or last of the fabled “Seven Sisters”(all right-handers), depending on which direction you’re traveling. One of the draws is that it is the closest one to the Transpeninsular Highway. As close as it is, we still almost got lost and had no idea where we were other than having the ocean right in front of us. Speaking of roads, or lack thereof, I almost broke down into tears when we finally arrived and again when we were searching for an appropriate campsite. I could go on and on about this place and the people we met.
The wave was like a dream come true with the exception of having no tube sections. Just long, epic walls peeling away – super fun and totally rippable.
Anclote
Photo: Ingrid Silva
This is a long, peeling wave, again without tubes. In fact, it’s even mushier than The Wall but oh so much fun. The convenient thing about Anclote is that it’s on the other side of Punta Mita. It was nice to find it so quickly and paddle right out. There are waves on both sides of Punta Mita, and when one side is onshore, the other is offshore. This alone makes Anclote like stumbling into a surfing utopia after leaving blown out Sayulita.
This wave just peels and peels and peels. I’ll admit it really was fun. Parking was easy with hotels and restaurants on the beach, making for a classic Mexican experience. Nice local rippers giving surf lessons are available here, too.
Pascuales
Photo: Ingrid Silva
Pascuales is an extremely heavy beach break, so daredevils be warned. This wave was the first beach break we stayed at after Baja. I thought Baja had some juice, but this place will raise the hair on the back of your neck at head high. When it gets overhead you’ll be questioning why you ever started surfing in the first place, and what you were you thinking when you said you wanted to surf here. Seriously.
One morning, we were checking the waves from the three story “Tower of Palapa.” Conditions looked clean with an outgoing-tide. I see a couple of good ones and decide to paddle out. As soon as I make my way up the beach with my board I realize the waves are actually double overhead and pumping – and I mean pumping. It was a joke. Slamming down hard and fast but not before jacking up and sucking up the face, this wave is gnarly. Luckily, my friend Zach from Australia was there otherwise I might not have paddled out because there was legitimately nobody in the water.
Spitting tubes or heaving, fast sections, it was a gamble surfing here. It’s a beautiful place though with beautiful waves.
Puerto Escondido
Roof view from our hotel. Jose Ramirez Rito local charger in a sick one. Photo: Ingrid Silva
At last, we arrive at Puerto. If I had to rank these stops, this one would go right at the top of the list. I have been enamored with this wave since childhood and it exceeded my expectations. There is a deep water canyon out front that funnels wave energy into the bay, primarily at Playa Zicatela. The waves come uninhibited by shallow water and slam full force onto the sandbar. It’s enough to make you lose your bowels and induce vomiting. There’s no need to worry, though, because even if you make the paddle out you won’t get any waves. The locals have this place wired. They also have custom made boardies to fit their huge balls in. It’s really a sight to see.
On a high note, when the waves are small they’re really fun. After surfing Puerto, I’m now making late drops that I’m sure I wouldn’t have before. And just overall I’m more confident in the water. The crowd is tough but friendly. There are a lot of traveling surfers from all over that are super stoked just to be there. People understand how special this place is and what a great privilege it is to surf this blessed wave. I got my best tubes here and I also snapped my favorite board in the process. This wave doesn’t eat boards, it devours them.
While here we witnessed the Puerto Escondido Challenge. It was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. We met some of the nicest people and stayed at the nicest hotel with the most incredible view. The town itself is really cool and I couldn’t get enough of it. On a side note, it’s hot as balls.
Barra de la Cruz
Photo: Ingrid Silva
This is a long peeling sandbar point. It’s one of those places where you drive through a windy jungle road, come to the crest of a hill, see the waves breaking in the distance, and you start frothing like you’re a grom all over again.
Apparently, this wave (like so many others in Mexico) used to break a lot better. There was more sand caught up by the point, but the townspeople decided to reroute the river. Now the wave has lost it’s fresh supply of sand and therefore its magic. However, it’s still super fun and the locals say it’s slowly coming back. There are just less tube sections and more cutback sections. In fact, there are no tubes unless you find this place on a big swell with a super low tide.
The locals here are super nice. All the Mexicans we came in contact with throughout the entire trip were extremely considerate and accommodating. It warms my heart thinking back to our time here.
