El Faro (Punta Mita)
El Faro at Punta Mita is a world-class reef break that produces powerful A-frame peaks with hollow sections on both the left and right. Located at the tip of the Punta Mita peninsula, the wave picks up swell from multiple directions, making it one of the more consistent spots in the Nayarit region. Access can be complicated by the private resort that surrounds it, but boat access or proper arrangements can get you to one of Mexico's best reef breaks.
El Faro (Punta Mita) surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to PVR, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Central America is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Central America — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
¿Prefieres español? Recibe el Strike Report en español, gratis →
Get the full El Faro (Punta Mita) trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (300°)
- Direction range
- 280° - 320°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2m - 2.6m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 15s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ENE (67°)
- Offshore range
- 45° - 90°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid to high
Water temp
26°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
6/10
Access: Access can be restricted by resort. Boat access often easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is El Faro (Punta Mita)?
El Faro is a reef break in Punta Mita, Mexico, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at El Faro (Punta Mita)?
El Faro picks up swell from the W round to the NW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the WNW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 2 to 2.6m. Period matters too: aim for 15s or longer, as anything under 12s 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 El Faro (Punta Mita)?
An ENE wind is dead offshore at El Faro, and anything from the NE round to the E keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at El Faro (Punta Mita)?
El Faro is at its best around the mid to high tide.
When is the best time of year to surf El Faro (Punta Mita)?
The most reliable run of swell at El Faro comes Jun to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Mar too. Works on both summer SW and winter NW swells.
How cold is the water at El Faro (Punta Mita)?
The water at El Faro averages around 26°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is El Faro (Punta Mita) good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. Expect a moderate crowd (6/10) when it's on. Private access issues. Shallow reef sections.
How do I get to El Faro (Punta Mita)?
The nearest airport on our list is PVR, then it's roughly a 45-minute drive. Access can be restricted by resort. Boat access often easier.
What other surf spots are near El Faro (Punta Mita)?
The closest breaks we track are El Anclote (1.8 km), Punta Burros (2.5 km) and La Bahia (Punta Mita) (3.5 km), handy when El Faro isn't working. We track 5 spots around Punta Mita in total.
Best Season
Peak: Jun-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Works on both summer SW and winter NW swells.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
El Anclote
🏄 Punta Mita village wave • Mellow longboard right • Charming surf town
Punta Burros
⚡ Powerful left reef • Fast hollow sections • Punta Mita power
La Bahia (Punta Mita)
🏖️ Protected Punta Mita beach • Beginner-friendly • Safe learning environment
La Lancha
⚡ Heavy Punta Mita left • Powerful reef break • Gets serious when big
Sayulita
🌮 Mexico surf town • Beginner point • Party vibes
Stoners
🌴 San Blas right point • Connects to Las Islitas • Jungle surf vibes