Zicatela (Puerto Escondido)
Puerto Escondido is the "Mexican Pipeline"—a brutally powerful beach break on Oaxaca's Pacific coast that produces some of the heaviest closeout tubes outside of Pipeline itself. South Pacific swells hit the sand with full force, creating thick, grinding barrels. The wave is notoriously dangerous: hold-downs are severe, the closeouts are unforgiving, and the power is humbling. May through August delivers the biggest swells. The Zicatela strip offers cheap living, warm water, and world-class barrels for those brave enough.
Zicatela (Puerto Escondido) surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (185°)
- Direction range
- 160° - 220°
- Size range
- 1m - 6m
- Ideal size
- 3.3m - 4.8m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 18s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (0°)
- Offshore range
- 315° - 45°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
9/10
Crowd level
7/10
Access: Beach access from Zicatela
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Zicatela (Puerto Escondido)?
Zicatela is a beach break in Zicatela Beach, Oaxaca, Mexico, with peaks that run both left and right. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves. It's also a renowned bodyboarding wave.
What's the story behind Zicatela (Puerto Escondido)?
Puerto Escondido means 'Hidden Port', and Zicatela comes from a Nahuatl word meaning 'place of large thorns'. Surfers started finding it after Highway 200 was built in the 1960s, and in the 1970s only about 400 people lived in town.
What swell works best at Zicatela (Puerto Escondido)?
Zicatela picks up swell from the SSE round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the S. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 6m, with the sweet spot around 3.3 to 4.8m. Period matters too: aim for 18s or longer, as anything under 14s 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 Zicatela (Puerto Escondido)?
A N wind is dead offshore at Zicatela, and anything from the NW 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 Zicatela (Puerto Escondido)?
Zicatela is at its best around the low to mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Zicatela (Puerto Escondido)?
The most reliable run of swell at Zicatela comes May to Sep. There's a second window in Apr and Oct too. Peak season May-August. South Pacific swells + light offshore winds.
How cold is the water at Zicatela (Puerto Escondido)?
The water at Zicatela 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 Zicatela (Puerto Escondido) good for beginners?
No. At 9/10 for difficulty, it's strictly for experts. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Extremely powerful closeouts. Heavy hold-downs. Sand bottom but very shallow at low tide.
How do I get to Zicatela (Puerto Escondido)?
The nearest airport on our list is PXM, then it's roughly a 10-minute drive. Beach access from Zicatela.
What other surf spots are near Zicatela (Puerto Escondido)?
The closest breaks we track are La Punta (0.5 km), Carrizalillo (1.6 km) and Punta Colorada (3.6 km), handy when Zicatela isn't working. Fun fact: it's the third most southerly break we track in Mexico.
Best Season
Peak: May-Sep
Secondary: Apr, Oct
Peak season May-August. South Pacific swells + light offshore winds.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
La Punta
↙️ Zicatela's gentle twin • Mellow left point • Puerto without the punishment
Carrizalillo
🏝️ Beautiful Puerto cove • Protected fun waves • Scenic beach escape
Punta Colorada
🌊 Puerto Escondido alternative • Quality right point • Escape the crowds
Barra de la Cruz
👑 World-class right point • Rip Curl Search venue • Dredging barrels to long walls
Punta Chivo
🌊 Salina Cruz corridor gem • Long rippable walls • Summer perfection
Punta Conejo
🏝️ Remote world-class right • 500m rides • True adventure surf
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