El Faro (Salina Cruz)
El Faro in Salina Cruz is a quality reef break offering multiple peaks along the southern Oaxacan coast. The wave provides good options for both lefts and rights, making it a versatile spot in the Salina Cruz corridor. When south swells light up the region, this spot delivers consistent, quality surf.
El Faro (Salina Cruz) surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Direction range
- 165° - 195°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 2.4m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 15s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNE (22°)
- Offshore range
- 0° - 45°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Part of Salina Cruz point break corridor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is El Faro (Salina Cruz)?
El Faro is a reef break in Salina Cruz, Mexico, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at El Faro (Salina Cruz)?
El Faro picks up swell from the SSE round to the SSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the S. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 0.9m and handles up to about 2.4m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2m. 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 (Salina Cruz)?
A NNE wind is dead offshore at El Faro, and anything from the N round to the NE 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 El Faro (Salina Cruz)?
El Faro is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf El Faro (Salina Cruz)?
The most reliable run of swell at El Faro comes May to Oct. There's a second window in Apr and Nov too. Summer south swells. Part of Salina Cruz corridor.
How cold is the water at El Faro (Salina Cruz)?
The water at El Faro 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 El Faro (Salina Cruz) good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Multiple peaks over reef.
How do I get to El Faro (Salina Cruz)?
The nearest airport on our list is HUX, then it's roughly a 2-hour drive. Part of Salina Cruz point break corridor.
What other surf spots are near El Faro (Salina Cruz)?
The closest breaks we track are Punta Conejo (5.7 km), San Diego (Salina Cruz) (7.7 km) and Punta Chivo (9.6 km), handy when El Faro isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: May-Oct
Secondary: Apr, Nov
Summer south swells. Part of Salina Cruz corridor.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Punta Conejo
🏝️ Remote world-class right • 500m rides • True adventure surf
San Diego (Salina Cruz)
🏝️ Remote Salina Cruz point • Uncrowded long rights • True adventure surf
Punta Chivo
🌊 Salina Cruz corridor gem • Long rippable walls • Summer perfection
Barra de la Cruz
👑 World-class right point • Rip Curl Search venue • Dredging barrels to long walls
Puerto Arista
🌴 Mexico's southernmost surf • Chiapas frontier • Tropical beach break