Surf Mexico

NO WATERSPORT ATTRACTS SUCH PASSIONATE PARTICIPANTS AS SURFING.

Nobody does it only once. The feeling of catching a wave, riding the water, glancing at the ocean below, the sky above and the beach ahead is like no other. It’s hypnotic. It’s addictive. It’s like a religion.

In Mexico, all that is best about surfing is multiplied many times over. There are breathtaking beaches, warm oceans, tremendous waves and the most comfortable bars, restaurants, hotels and apartments in which to relax and relive the thrills. What’s more, there’s a great variety of options across the country, with natural conditions to suit all surfers, whether it’s their first or 10,000th trip.

Seasoned veterans marvel at how reasonable and relatively crowd-free Mexican surfing waters are. Though the sport is well established, with experienced guides always on hand to offer tips, lessons or to rent equipment – as well as locals making the most of the treasures of their homeland – Mexico rarely suffers from surfing overkill. It’s always simple to find the space and time one needs to feel as though the ocean belongs to you.

Another key attraction to Mexico is the possibility of surfing year-round. Most holidaymakers will head to the country during the peak season between April and October, when temperatures are warmest both in and out of the water. This roughly translates to the period towards the end of the dry season and the first arrival of the rains. It’s also the time when the swell is most powerful, particularly in June’s hurricane season.

Plenty of resorts offer their cheapest rates in winter, when surfers should seek regions that catch northwest and west swells. Insiders and locals often point to spring as arguably the best time: the early-season south swells gradually begin to appear, but the majority of the tourists have not yet arrived.

HERE ARE SEVEN DESTINATIONS TO CONSIDER:

MAZUNTE AND PUERTO ESCONDIDO (OAXACA)

Oaxaca’s long stretch of coastline offers numerous potential stop-offs, including the towns of Puerto Escondido and Mazunte. Visitors flock to the world-renowned Zicatela Beach in the former, seeking to ride its highly sought-after tubular waves – locals say mornings and evenings are the best time to catch them. Waves can also be extreme in nearby Mazunte, though the town is also known as a spiritual centre, and is home to a sea turtle reserve.

SAYULITA (NAYARIT)

Both The Guardian and National Geographic Magazine have named Sayulita, in Nayarit, among the best surfing destinations in the world, pointing to perfect water conditions and one of the most charming, laid-back towns in Mexico. Sayulita is short hop from Puerto Vallarta and the awesome Banderas Bay, but it has a tranquil identity of its own: a quaint fishing town that has plenty of surf schools and elegant hotels and restaurants.

ENSENADA (BA JA CALIFORNIA)

Only about 75 miles (120km) from the border with the US, Ensenada in Baja California is a melting pot of surfers of all abilities from around the world. The waters are cooler here (a wetsuit is a good addition), but there’s swell year-round, including in winter. Beginners should head to Playa Hermosa, while experienced surfers will be thrilled by the consistent waves off the black sands of San Miguel beach. In the evenings, all can gather in one of Mexico’s most vibrant party towns.

PASCUALES (COLIMA)

Colima is one of Mexico’s smallest states, but punches above its weight as a surfing destination thanks mainly to the legendary 30 feet (9 metres) waves that barrel from all directions into Boca de Pascuales. Riding these monsters is a rite of passage for experienced surfers, but the region still offers plenty to the beginner, including the magnificent sight of the “ola verde” – a vivid green wave – at Cuyutlán.

TODOS SANTOS (BA JA CALIFORNIA SUR)

The tiny town of Todos Santos –one of Mexico’s designated “Magical Towns” – has a huge reputation, both for its arts and its surf scene. Though only around 6,500 people live there, and may of its roads are either cobbled or dirt tracks, it is well worth the trip, particularly to explore its long sandy expanses. Playa Cerritos has emerged as the best place to surf: the riptides aren’t quite as strong here as they are nearby, making the waters exceptionally welcoming.

TRONCONES (GUERRERO)

Given the awesome appeal of its surfing waters, it’s amazing the population of Troncones remains at only around 600. This isolated village offers a truly serene base from which to sample some of Guerrero’s best surf. Locals are known to favour Troncones Point (also known as Manzanillo Bay), a rocky point break at the end of the 3 mile (4.8km) beach, whose clear waters are very often entirely empty of others. It’s a similar story at the nearby Saladita – a rural spot, with a charming crescent-shaped beach, where the surf is so consistent it is known as the “wave machine”.

MAZATLAN (SINALOA)

The golden beaches in and around Mazatlan offer easy access to waves that will suit all levels of surfing experience – and in the case of Playa Olas Altas, which translates as “high-wave beach”, the name itself even offers guidance to the would-be surfer. It’s not always so reliable: Stone Island, despite its name, actually offers more than five miles of sandy beach, and some excellent swells, including Escollera, a fast and powerful pointbreak that will test all of your skills. Things tend to be a little calmer in Playa Bruja, where waves reach 8-10 feet (2.5-3 metres), offering a decent introduction to the less experienced explorer.