El Faro (Punta Mita)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
El Faro is a right-hand point break on the Punta Mita peninsula, known for fast, powerful rides and occasionally hollow walls when the reef is lined up with the swell. The spot is exposed and wave quality is described as excellent when the right NW swell wraps around the point and the wave can connect toward inside peaks. The hazard profile is central to planning here: sharp rocks, a shallow reef ledge, and sea urchins make the launch and wading situation serious. Multiple notes emphasize that low tide increases risk—conditions improve at mid to high tide because there’s more water over the reef even if the wave can be described as hollow at low tide. Access is primarily by boat. Land access is limited due to private gated community restrictions, so many surfers take a panga from nearby Punta Mita. Because the location is remote with no shade or facilities at the point, planning for water and sun protection matters, and the tide should be monitored closely—dead low tide can turn the reef dangerously shallow. Best conditions are tied to winter and offshore north winds. Reports commonly point to a need for solid NW swell (with a higher/stronger swell window mentioned in meters by one provider), and wind reliability is described as low—so it’s best treated as a spot where you’re waiting for the swell and wind to sync before committing, especially given the boat/terrain constraints.
- Long right-hand point rides when the point connects with inside peaks.
- Improves markedly at mid to high tide due to reef depth.
- Offshore north winds are key for grooming faces.
- Long right-hand point break with powerful walls when conditions line up.
- Best wind pattern is offshore north winds.
- Winter provides the most consistent window with NW swell activity.
- Rocks/reef hazards are significant, especially at low tide.
- Requires a big NW swell to perform at a high level.
- Access is difficult by land (private property); most people boat in.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, E
- Offshore directions
- N
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Spot is most sought when morning offshore winds prevail; afternoon sea-breeze components are common in the region.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- The point provides some protection from northerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand composition noted by one provider, though rocky/reef hazards dominate at the break.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — One provider characterizes the spot as big when it’s working; other sources describe medium-to-big performance depending on swell.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Moderate shore-break noted in one source; reef exposure implies can be choppy/heavy when swell/wind combine.
- Launch
- Small — Very limited shore access; most surfers jump from boats or access from nearby beaches.
Through the year
Can get crowded on weekends or when a prime swell hits; winter swell periods are typically most sought after.
June to October (rainy season with occasional tropical storms)
By sport
What to expect for each.
Right-hand point break on the lighthouse/outer tip of Punta Mita that wraps and can connect with inside peaks for long, multi-section rides; it requires a significant NW swell to show its true potential.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- High, Mid — High tide is specifically called out as better, but one source notes an optimal tide around mid; multiple sources emphasize improvement at mid to high tide for the reef.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point.
- Wind Effect
- Best with offshore north winds; offshore north winds groom faces. South winds blow the wave out.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well but can become very heavy on larger NW swells, requiring strong positioning.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Described as excellent right point break with high-quality walls when the swell/wind line up.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Sources describe powerful/powerful walls; overall rating emphasizes a big, serious wave when working.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow walls at low tide; can be hollow at low tide but function improves with more water over reef at mid/high tide.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Spot-level descriptions vary; one source describes peeling as medium, another as fast depending on conditions/swell.
- Ride Length
- Long — Long, multi-section rides when the point connects to inside peaks.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can exceed ~200 meters when sections connect perfectly; typical rides around ~150 meters are reported.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for El Faro (Punta Mita) in the full forecast view.
El Faro (Punta Mita) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–7 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- NW314°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 257 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.0 m11s period
- Temperature
- 26–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, El Faro (Punta Mita) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 0.8–1.0 m with a period of about 11s. 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
- Sharp volcanic rocks
- Sea urchins
- Strong rip currents
- Shallow reef ledge
- Remote location
- Boat traffic
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level rescue is described as limited to none; regionally there is maritime search and rescue capacity, but no dedicated public surf/kite rescue boat across the coastline.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Punta Mita or Bucerias; 911 for emergencies. (More advanced care in the broader region is available in Puerto Vallarta/Nuevo Vallarta.)
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Watch tide and avoid the reef at very low tide; reef/rocks create serious hazards. Follow standard surfing etiquette and respect boat captains/other surfers in the lineup.
- Access is often restricted by private property/land access is limited; primarily accessed via boat.
- Strictly a surfing/water sports zone.
- Wave is much better at mid to high tide when there’s more water over the reef; at low tide the wave can be hollow but is more hazardous on the rocks.
- Access is difficult by land due to private gated community; most people use a boat (panga).
- Bring plenty of water and sun protection as there’s no shade or facilities at the point.
- Watch the tide closely because the reef can become dangerously shallow at dead low tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Punta Mita
- Nearest Town
- Punta Mita
- Parking
- No parking at the spot; park in Punta Mita if taking a boat.
- Access
- Accessible mainly by boat or from private residences within the exclusive Punta Mita/La Punta Estates area; land access is often restricted by private property/gated community and may require a long walk. Most visitors use a panga from Punta de Mita.
- Cost Level
- Luxury
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Luxury villas and boutique hotels are available in the Punta Mita resort area and Punta de Mita.
- Food & Drink
- No food or drink options at the point; restaurants and shops are in Punta de Mita.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available at surf shops in Punta Mita; gear may need to be organized in advance because the spot has no on-site facilities.
- Gear Storage
- Storage is primarily provided by clubs/resorts in the Punta Mita area (spot itself has no facilities).
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs available in Punta de Mita.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Protected national park famous for the 'Hidden Beach' and diverse birdlife.
Humpback whales migrate to the bay every winter.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at El Faro (Punta Mita)?
The best overall months at El Faro (Punta Mita) are November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at El Faro (Punta Mita)?
El Faro (Punta Mita) works with N, NE, E winds. Offshore directions are N.
What skill level is El Faro (Punta Mita) suitable for?
El Faro (Punta Mita) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.