🇲🇽 OAXACA, MEXICO
Puerto Escondido
The Mexican Pipeline — the heaviest beach break in the world
SMALL
Live Conditions
Conditions Summary
3ft waves — with 11s mixed swell — hitting at the ideal angle — 4mph onshore wind roughing up the surface
LOW CONFIDENCEModel-only forecast, no buoy nearby
Why it's SMALL
Swell Direction
Primary swell is 212° — matches the ideal 200° window for this spot
Swell Period
11s — solid groundswell. Waves will have real energy and organization.
Wind
4mph onshore — light but will soften wave shape
Season
September is peak season for this spot
Data Confidence
Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby
At the Break
3.3ft
LOW CONFIDENCE
Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby
Period
11s
✓ Groundswell
Wind
4mph
SW
ONSHORE
Water
89°F
Boardshorts
Swell Direction
100%
Wind Direction
20%
Primary Swell
3.0ft @ 9.7s
SSW 212°
Secondary Swell
1.0ft @ 7.0s
SE 138°
9 Day Outlook
3.2ft
TODAY
Sep 13
(11s)
3.3ft
TMRW
Sep 14
(12s)
4.0ft
TUE
Sep 15
(12s)
4.3ft
WED
Sep 16
(13s)
4.2ft
THU
Sep 17
(12s)
3.6ft
FRI
Sep 18
(12s)
3.3ft
SAT
Sep 19
(12s)
3.2ft
SUN
Sep 20
(13s)
3.3ft
MON
Sep 21
(13s)
Best this week: WED Sep 16 — 4.3ft
Best next week: MON Sep 21 — 3.3ft
Model Breakdown
ECMWF (45%)3.4ft
ICON (35%)3.1ft
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: Sep
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
01
Zicatela is NOT a beginner wave — people die here every year. Be honest about your ability.
02
The town is small and walkable — you do not need a car if you stay on Zicatela.
03
Mezcal is the local spirit — try it at a proper mezcaleria, not a tourist bar.
04
June-September is prime season but also peak hurricane season — check forecasts.
05
La Punta neighbourhood is more chilled than the main Zicatela strip.
06
Oaxacan food is some of the best in Mexico — mole negro, tlayudas, chapulines.
Best Window
Day 4 · Sep 16
4.3ft @ 13s
FIRING
Trip Cost Estimate
Flights from NYC~$380
Hotel per night~$40
Weekend est.~$500
5 day est.~$580
Week est.~$660