Boca de Iguanas
- Bodyboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Boca de Iguanas is an exposed sandy beach break on the La Manzanilla Coast, with fairly consistent surf that can work on both left and right. The spot is described as particularly suitable for surfers looking for a relaxed, long-shoreline environment, and it tends to be uncrowded or rarely crowded. Surf is most often discussed as being strongest on South to Southwest groundswells, with gentle, peeling sand-bottom rides that can suit beginners when the swell is in a manageable range. One provider also notes that surf starts to close out when the swell becomes larger (above roughly 2.5 meters), so conditions can shift quickly as swell builds. Wind/offshore timing matters here: offshore conditions are associated with easterly or northeast components, and the morning is often described as offering the cleanest setup before afternoon sea breezes strengthen. The wind reliability is described as low overall, so it’s best approached with flexible expectations and a focus on morning windows. Safety-wise, this is not a hazard-free beach. Reports consistently flag rocks and sharks, and other sources add rip currents and stingrays. Local guidance recommends shuffling your feet when entering the water to reduce stingray risk, and you should use standard water-entry and surfing etiquette while respecting the camping environment.
- Exposed beach break with consistent surf
- Beginner-friendly, peeling rides over sandbars
- Typically rarely crowded
- Offshore conditions most favorable in the morning
- Fairly consistent beach-break surf with both left and right waves.
- Sandy bottom makes it beginner-friendly when conditions are right.
- Typically rarely crowded and good for a relaxed beach-camping atmosphere.
- Exposed conditions can be harsh depending on swell and wind.
- Hazards include rocks and sharks; stingrays and rip currents are also possible.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NW, W
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze influence is common in the afternoon; one source notes typical afternoon thermal window after midday.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Marked as light-gusts in one provider’s wind summary.
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February
- Shadow Zones
- South end of the bay can be sheltered by the headland
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Golden sand shore with a long shoreline.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Surf is described as small to fairly consistent.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with ample space.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Wide sandy beach with ample space.
Through the year
Rarely crowded; can be busier during Mexican national holidays and Easter
June to October (hurricane and rainy season)
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach break with fairly consistent surf and long sandy shoreline; works well on South and Southwest swells with both left and right waves.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Peeling is noted particularly at mid-tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach break; some shelter may occur depending on exposure to the bay/headland.
- Wind Effect
- East and Northeast winds provide clean offshore conditions in the morning.
- Bigger Swell
- Can start to close out when swell exceeds 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Average wave quality; peeling sand-bottom rides are common.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Rated as moderate with consistent, gentle conditions.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — A consistent beach break with waves that peel nicely over sandbars.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peels nicely over sandbars, especially at mid-tide.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Waves offer long rides over a sandy bottom.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves tend to peel nicely over sandbars, especially at mid-tide.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Boca de Iguanas in the full forecast view.
Boca de Iguanas wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–14 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- SE137°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2814 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–2.9 m10s period
- Temperature
- 24–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Boca de Iguanas is forecast for daytime winds of 2–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 1.3–2.9 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Sharks
- Stingrays
- Rip currents
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated kite-rescue service; local boatmen can be hired for emergencies (regional note).
- Emergency Info
- Nearest clinics are in La Manzanilla or Melaque.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local environment and campers.
- Shuffle your feet when entering the water to avoid stingrays.
- The morning typically offers the cleanest conditions before the sea breeze picks up.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Manzanillo
- Nearest Town
- La Manzanilla
- Nearest Airport
- Playa de Oro International Airport (ZLO) (~45 km) (also referenced: Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) ~65 km).
- Parking
- Free parking available.
- Public Transport
- Limited public transport; taxis and local buses (camiones) run along Highway 200.
- Access
- 3km paved road from coastal highway 200 at Km 21; accessible by car from Melaque or La Manzanilla (35-min bike ride or 1-hr walk).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping is popular directly on the beach, with additional lodging options in La Manzanilla.
- Food & Drink
- Beach restaurants and small beachfront palapas serving fresh seafood and drinks are mentioned.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is described as limited and mainly available through local hotels or mobile providers (spot-level); regional note also indicates limited availability.
- Gear Storage
- Generally limited to specific accommodation providers (regional note).
- Gear Repair
- No local gear repair is indicated; major repairs require travel (regional note).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Boca de Iguanas?
The best overall months at Boca de Iguanas are November, December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at Boca de Iguanas?
Boca de Iguanas works with N, NW, W winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What skill level is Boca de Iguanas suitable for?
Boca de Iguanas suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.