El Ticuiz (Coahuayana)

KitesurfingWingfoilingSurfing
Freeride, Longboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Mixed, Small waves, Medium 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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

El Ticuiz is a quiet, off-the-beaten-path spot on the Michoacán coast near the Coahuayana River mouth, offering a mix of ocean conditions and calmer water pockets close to shore. The beach is medium-sized with sand, and the water quality is described as clean, with warm temperatures year-round. For wind sports, the main story is a dependable afternoon sea-breeze/thermal: winds are typically NW–W–WNW and are strongest in the spring. At the spot, the thermal build is described as strengthening in the early afternoon and peaking before sunset, with a thermal window around 14:00 to 19:00; wind sessions are usually most consistent once the afternoon sea breeze fills in. Typical kitesurfing wind is reported around 12–22 knots, and kite sizes commonly used in the afternoon thermal are about 9–12 m². Kitesurfing is the best fit, with options ranging from wave riding to flatter water near the river mouth/lagoon areas—helpful for finding more comfortable conditions depending on your style. Surfing is also possible as a beach-break, with wave power and quality described as moderate/average; afternoon winds can make the surface choppy, and on very large swells the waves can close out. Safety is a key consideration due to the river mouth environment. Currents can be moderate, and floating debris may appear after heavy rain, along with isolated rocks near the river mouth. There are no lifeguards and rescue availability is described as limited/no dedicated service for water-sports—so self-sufficiency (including bringing supplies and safety gear) is strongly recommended, especially given the remote access and lack of on-site support.

  • Reliable afternoon NW/W/WNW thermal build in spring
  • Clean water on a sandy medium-sized beach with space to set up
  • Kitesurfing versatility: wave riding plus flatter zones near the river mouth/lagoon areas
  • Remote, self-sufficient-friendly destination with minimal wind-sports infrastructure
Great for
Kitesurfing freerideKitesurfing waveKitesurfing straplessSurfing longboardWingfoil freeride
What's great
  • Reliable afternoon NW/W/WNW thermal build in spring
  • Clean water and sandy beach launch area with space to set up
  • Options for both wave riding and flatter water near the river mouth/lagoon areas
  • Typically low crowd
Heads up
  • Remote location with limited parking
  • No dedicated wind-sports rental/repair or gear storage
  • River mouth hazards including currents and debris after heavy rain
  • Afternoon winds can create choppy surface conditions
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
NW, W, WNW
Wind Range
12–22 kts
Wind Type
Thermal — Afternoon sea-breeze/thermal sea breeze builds in the early afternoon and peaks before sunset; also influenced by seasonal gradient flow.
Reliability
Good during spring months
Gust Factor
Steady — Gusts described as steady.
Best Months
March, April, May, June
Recommended Kite Sizes
9–12 m²

Water & beach

Water Type
Mixed, Small waves, Medium waves
Beach
Sand
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Medium — Water described as small-wave/medium-wave.
Launch
Medium — Sandy beach with sufficient space for kite setup; drift and river debris may be present near the mouth.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
25–29 °C
Water Temperature
24–33 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: boardshorts / thin rash guard
Crowds by Season

Generally low crowd levels; busiest during Mexican national holidays

Storm/Rain Season

June to October

By sport

What to expect for each.

KitesurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

A versatile spot offering both ocean wave riding and flatter water conditions near the river mouth and lagoon areas. It is popular with local riders looking for uncrowded sessions.

FreerideWaveStrapless
Kite Sizes
9–12 m²
WingfoilingSkill Level

Possible in the open water, though the shorebreak and potential debris near the river mouth require caution.

Foil Friendly
Yes
Min Depth
1.5 meters
Wing Sizes
4–6 m²
SurfingSkill Level

Beach break waves that can be powerful depending on the swell; often quieter than more famous neighboring breaks.

Beach break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
S, SW
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
Mid
Shelter
Exposed
Wind Effect
Afternoon winds can make the surface choppy
Bigger Swell
Can close out on very large swells
Wave Quality
Average
Wave Power
Moderate
Wave Shape
Mixed
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Medium
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for El Ticuiz (Coahuayana) in the full forecast view.

El Ticuiz (Coahuayana) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–7 ktsGusts 14 kts
Direction
WNW286°
Strongest day
Sat, Oct 247 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
1.5–3.3 m10s period
Temperature
23–32 °C

Over the next 7 days, El Ticuiz (Coahuayana) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 14 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 1.5–3.3 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

  • River mouth currents
  • Floating debris after heavy rain
  • Isolated location
  • Strong afternoon sun
  • River debris during rainy season
  • Isolated rocks near the river mouth
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
Impact vestHarness

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No dedicated water-sports rescue services; emergency response managed by local Civil Protection and SEMAR based in nearby regional ports.
Emergency Info
Nearest medical facilities are in Tecomán or Coahuayana; national emergency number is 911

Rules of the spot

Respect the local fishing community and avoid restricted areas near the lagoon if marked

Local Tips
  • Wait for the afternoon thermal to fill in for the most consistent wind
  • The location is remote so bring your own supplies and safety gear

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Tecomán
Nearest Town
Coahuayana
Nearest Airport
Manzanillo International Airport (ZLO)
Parking
Limited informal parking available near the beach access points
Public Transport
Limited local bus service (colectivos) connects coastal villages to Tecomán and Colima City; a private vehicle is highly recommended for transporting gear.
Access
Accessible via Mexico Highway 200, followed by local roads leading toward the coast and the town of El Ticuiz
Cost Level
Budget
Local Language
Spanish
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Accommodation
Nearby town — Guesthouses and basic hotels are available in Coahuayana and Tecomán.
Food & Drink
Local seafood restaurants (enramadas) can be found in the general area.
Equipment Rental:
No specialized equipment rental available on-site.
Gear Storage
None available.
Gear Repair
None available on-site (minor surfboard repairs may be available in nearby surf-centric towns).
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 El Ticuiz (Coahuayana)?

The best overall months at El Ticuiz (Coahuayana) are March, April, May, June.

Which wind directions work at El Ticuiz (Coahuayana)?

El Ticuiz (Coahuayana) works with NW, W, WNW winds.

What equipment sizes are recommended at El Ticuiz (Coahuayana)?

Recommended equipment sizes at El Ticuiz (Coahuayana): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–22 kts.

What skill level is El Ticuiz (Coahuayana) suitable for?

El Ticuiz (Coahuayana) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.