🇲🇽 OAXACA, MEXICO

Puerto Escondido

The Mexican Pipeline — the heaviest beach break in the world

GOOD

Live Conditions

Conditions Summary

Good 6ft waves — with 13s mixed swell — hitting at the ideal angle — Clean 4mph offshore winds grooming the surface

LOW CONFIDENCEModel-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Why it's GOOD

Swell Direction

Primary swell is 209° — matches the ideal 200° window for this spot

Swell Period

13s — solid groundswell. Waves will have real energy and organization.

Wind

4mph offshore — clean, grooming the wave face

Season

July is peak season for this spot

Data Confidence

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

At the Break

5.5ft

LOW CONFIDENCE

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Period

13s

✓ Groundswell

Wind

4mph

OFFSHORE

Water

88°F

Boardshorts

Swell Direction

100%

Wind Direction

100%

Primary Swell

5.4ft @ 10.6s

SSW 209°

Secondary Swell

0.1ft @ 1.8s

W 270°

8 Day Outlook

5.5ft

TODAY

Jul 30

(13s)

4.3ft

TMRW

Jul 31

(12s)

3.7ft

SAT

Aug 1

(11s)

3.3ft

SUN

Aug 2

(11s)

3.1ft

MON

Aug 3

(11s)

3.0ft

TUE

Aug 4

(11s)

3.1ft

WED

Aug 5

(11s)

3.5ft

THU

Aug 6

(13s)

Best this week: today — 5.5ft

Best next week: THU Aug 6 — 3.5ft

Incoming Swell Events

Today

moderate

Swell building to 5.5ft @ 13s

Model Breakdown

ECMWF (45%)5.5ft

ICON (35%)5.4ft

GFS (20%)No data

Model confidence80%

Updated every 30 mins · Open-Meteo ECMWF + ICON + GFS

About

Puerto Escondido's Zicatela beach is home to one of the most powerful and dangerous beach breaks on the planet. Massive closeout sets and perfect barrels on the right days make this a bucket list wave for advanced surfers.

The Break

Zicatela main peak for big barrels, La Punta for long mellow rights, Carrizalillo for beginners.

Ideal Conditions

S-SW swell 6-12ft, light N offshore winds, low to mid tide

Best Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Best months highlighted · Current: Jul

Trip Planner

Puerto Quick Hit

Weekend · 3 Days

Friday

Fly into Puerto Escondido (PXM) or via Mexico City. Stay on Zicatela beach — you can hear the waves from bed.

Saturday

Dawn patrol Zicatela if it is pumping. Watch from the beach if it is huge — the wipeouts are spectacular. Evening mezcal on the strip.

Sunday

Morning session at La Punta — longer, more fun waves. Fly home.

Oaxacan Coast Week

Full Week · 7 Days

Day 1

Arrive Puerto, get oriented, beach check.

Day 2

Full day Zicatela — surf or watch depending on size.

Day 3

Day trip to Mazunte and Zipolite — beautiful beaches, different vibe.

Day 4

La Punta all day — the right-hander is world class when it links up.

Day 5

Day trip to Oaxaca city — 6hr bus or short flight. The food alone is worth it.

Day 6

Back to Zicatela for your best session of the trip.

Day 7

Final morning, fly home.

Local Knowledge

Zicatela is NOT a beginner wave — people die here every year. Be honest about your ability.

The town is small and walkable — you do not need a car if you stay on Zicatela.

Mezcal is the local spirit — try it at a proper mezcaleria, not a tourist bar.

June-September is prime season but also peak hurricane season — check forecasts.

La Punta neighbourhood is more chilled than the main Zicatela strip.

Oaxacan food is some of the best in Mexico — mole negro, tlayudas, chapulines.