Surfing Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo): The Complete Guide

Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo) is a reef break located in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, offering both lefts and rights along Central America's Pacific-facing coastline. Las Gatas is a protected reef break in Zihuatanejo Bay that offers mellow, fun waves in a beautiful setting. Rated as intermediate difficulty with lightly crowded conditions, this reef break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is SSW (200°), with workable conditions from S to SW (180°–220°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo) needs a minimum of 0.6m / 2ft to start working and handles swells up to 1.8m / 6ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 10 seconds, with 13 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the NNE (22°). The full offshore range spans N to NE (0°–45°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid tide.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo) runs May, June, July, August, September, October (May–Oct). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens April, November (Apr–Nov). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Summer swells. Protected bay.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 28°C / 82°F. Boardshorts or a thin rashguard are all you need.

Getting There

The nearest airport is ZIH, just a quick 15-minute drive from the break.

Access: Zihuatanejo Bay. Boat or water taxi common.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended

Mellow reef break. Generally safe.

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock

Skill Level: This spot is rated intermediate (4/10). Crowd Level: Typically lightly crowded (4/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo)? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo) is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*