Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo)
Las Gatas is a protected reef break in Zihuatanejo Bay that offers mellow, fun waves in a beautiful setting. The wave is forgiving and accessible, making it a good option for intermediate surfers visiting the charming fishing town of Zihuatanejo.
Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo) 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 ZIH, 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 Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo) 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
- SSW (200°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 220°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 1.8m
- Ideal size
- 1.1m - 1.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.90×
- Ideal period
- 13s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNE (22°)
- Offshore range
- 0° - 45°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Zihuatanejo Bay. Boat or water taxi common.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo)?
Las Gatas is a reef break in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo)?
Las Gatas picks up swell from the S round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 0.6m and handles up to about 1.8m, with the sweet spot around 1.1 to 1.5m. Period matters too: aim for 13s 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 Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo)?
A NNE wind is dead offshore at Las Gatas, and anything from the N round to the NE 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 Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo)?
Las Gatas is at its best around mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo)?
The most reliable run of swell at Las Gatas comes May to Oct. There's a second window in Apr and Nov too. Summer swells. Protected bay.
How cold is the water at Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo)?
The water at Las Gatas 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 Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo) 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. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Mellow reef break. Generally safe.
How do I get to Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo)?
The nearest airport on our list is ZIH, then it's roughly a 15-minute drive. Zihuatanejo Bay. Boat or water taxi common.
What other surf spots are near Las Gatas (Zihuatanejo)?
The closest breaks we track are Playa Linda (Ixtapa) (13 km), La Saladita (22 km) and Troncones Point (26 km), handy when Las Gatas isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: May-Oct
Secondary: Apr, Nov
Summer swells. Protected bay.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Playa Linda (Ixtapa)
🌊 Quality Ixtapa beach break • Hollow summer peaks • Easy resort access
La Saladita
🏄 Perfect longboard wave • Endless gentle rides • Mellow surf village vibes
Troncones Point
🌴 Growing surf community • Quality right point • Boutique Mexico surf
Rio Nexpa
🌊 Mexico's best left point • Cobblestone perfection • Rivermouth magic