Iztapa
Iztapa is Guatemala's off-the-beaten-path option—a fishing village better known for world-class sailfish than surf, where an uncrowded beach break rewards those willing to venture away from the mainstream. The wave receives the same south swells as neighboring spots but draws virtually no crowds, offering the rare experience of empty lineups in Central America. The fishing town atmosphere provides an authentic glimpse of Guatemalan coastal life, while river mouth sandbars create shifting peaks that change with the seasons. For adventurous travelers seeking solitude, Iztapa delivers.
Iztapa surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (195°)
- Direction range
- 165° - 235°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.5m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNE (15°)
- Offshore range
- 330° - 70°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.6m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Fishing village. Mostly used for sportfishing but has surf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Iztapa?
Iztapa is a beach break in Escuintla, Guatemala, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Iztapa?
Iztapa picks up swell from the SSE round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. It starts working at around 0.6m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.5 to 2m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Iztapa?
A NNE wind is dead offshore at Iztapa, and anything from the NNW round to the ENE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 5am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Iztapa?
Iztapa has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.3m to 1.6m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Iztapa?
The most reliable run of swell at Iztapa comes Mar to Oct. There's a second window in Feb and Nov too. Consistent south swells. Also famous for sailfish.
How cold is the water at Iztapa?
The water at Iztapa averages around 28°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Iztapa good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). River mouth area. Some debris after rains.
How do I get to Iztapa?
The nearest airport on our list is GUA, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Fishing village. Mostly used for sportfishing but has surf.
What other surf spots are near Iztapa?
The closest breaks we track are Sipacate (48 km), handy when Iztapa isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Mar-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Feb
Consistent south swells. Also famous for sailfish.
Getting There
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