Surf in Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido beaches
Puerto Escondido was discovered by surfers in the late 1950s and has since then gained a worldwide reputation. The town is renowned for the famous “Mexican Pipeline” wave at Zicatela Beach. Along with „Pipeline“ on Hawaii’s Northshore, „Mexpipe“ is one of the most powerful barrels in the world. In autumn it can reach up to 10m in height.
Carizalillo
This bay contains a beautiful beach which usually has the best waves to learn to surf. Its waves break deep on the rock reef and works best when the swell is coming from a southerly direction. With long soft waves this beach offers the surfing beginner opportunity to try and stand up twice on the same wave. It is nearly certain that a learner will be successful in surfing at Carrizalillo.
La Punta
The small waves of the point is ideal for beginners especially who are ‘goofy’ or left footed. The medium sized waves are a favourite of intermediate surfers. These waves are large and slow, break from right to left, and start at the deep rocks and end at the sand on the beach. The best time for beginners is at high tide. At low tide the waves are a bit faster and are shaped like a tube.
Marinero
This beach is best when the swell direction is from the north. It has waves that break both left and right onto deep water with a sandy beach below. Marinero could be classed as the little Zicatela. Here you will often get a shorter, faster, more tube wave that is ideal for beginners who want a bit more adrenalin rush.
Zicatela
Zicatela has a stronger and faster wave, which breaks in deep sandy water, making it ideal for experts. There are waves all year round. In the winter, there can be periods of smaller waves, giving advanced learners the opportunity to try their surf at this beach.