La Lancha
La Lancha is a powerful left reef break near Punta Mita that gets heavy when size fills in. The wave offers hollow sections over shallow reef, demanding respect and experience. It's one of the more challenging waves in the Nayarit area but rewards committed surfers with quality barrels.
La Lancha surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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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
Water temp
26°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
5/10
Access: Near Punta Mita. Boat access also common.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is La Lancha?
La Lancha is a reef break in Punta Mita, Mexico, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at La Lancha?
La Lancha 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 La Lancha?
An ENE wind is dead offshore at La Lancha, 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 La Lancha?
La Lancha is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf La Lancha?
The most reliable run of swell at La Lancha comes Jun to Oct. There's a second window in Nov to Mar too. Works year-round with different swell directions.
How cold is the water at La Lancha?
The water at La Lancha 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 La Lancha good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. Expect a moderate crowd (5/10) when it's on. Heavy when big. Shallow reef sections.
How do I get to La Lancha?
The nearest airport on our list is PVR, then it's roughly a 45-minute drive. Near Punta Mita. Boat access also common.
What other surf spots are near La Lancha?
The closest breaks we track are Punta Burros (2.5 km), La Bahia (Punta Mita) (3.7 km) and El Faro (Punta Mita) (5.1 km), handy when La Lancha isn't working. We track 5 spots around Punta Mita in total.
Best Season
Peak: Jun-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Works year-round with different swell directions.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Punta Burros
⚡ Powerful left reef • Fast hollow sections • Punta Mita power
La Bahia (Punta Mita)
🏖️ Protected Punta Mita beach • Beginner-friendly • Safe learning environment
El Faro (Punta Mita)
🔥 World-class reef break • Powerful A-frames • Punta Mita crown jewel
El Anclote
🏄 Punta Mita village wave • Mellow longboard right • Charming surf town
Sayulita
🌮 Mexico surf town • Beginner point • Party vibes
Stoners
🌴 San Blas right point • Connects to Las Islitas • Jungle surf vibes