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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Surfing bodyboardBeginnersAdvanced riders
What's great
  • 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.
Heads up
  • Exposed conditions can be harsh depending on swell and wind.
  • Hazards include rocks and sharks; stingrays and rip currents are also possible.
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
23–30 °C
Water Temperature
25–31 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–May: 2mm shorty or rash guardMay–Dec: Rash guard or 2mm shorty (boardshorts/bikinis most of the year)
Crowds by Season

Rarely crowded; can be busier during Mexican national holidays and Easter

Storm/Rain Season

June to October (hurricane and rainy season)

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed beach break with fairly consistent surf and long sandy shoreline; works well on South and Southwest swells with both left and right waves.

Beach break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Beginner
Recommended Safety Gear
LeashWetsuit

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.

Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Showers
Toilets
Changing rooms
Camping
Restaurant
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).
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.