El Ticuiz (Coahuayana)
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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
- 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
- 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
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
Generally low crowd levels; busiest during Mexican national holidays
June to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
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.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
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
Beach break waves that can be powerful depending on the swell; often quieter than more famous neighboring breaks.
- 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
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.
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
- River mouth currents
- Floating debris after heavy rain
- Isolated location
- Strong afternoon sun
- River debris during rainy season
- Isolated rocks near the river mouth
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
- 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
What's on the beach
- 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).
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 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.