Escolleras 1
- Freeride, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- Shallow, Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Escolleras 1 is a popular, exposed beach-break surf spot located at the northern edge of Ixtapa’s hotel zone, immediately beside the marina. The jetty forms both left- and right-hand waves, but the left-hand break peeling off the marina jetty is described as especially consistent, with long, predictable rides. Access is straightforward from the hotel area, with a sandy entry directly adjacent to the rocky jetty structure. Conditions are generally favorable for surfers who want a reliable setup and can read the lineup near the jetty. The wave quality is reported as good, with rides often spanning dozens of meters and sometimes up to about 100 meters depending on sandbar/swell timing. Winds are strongly influenced by the region’s thermal sea-breeze pattern: offshore north-northeast/north winds can groom the faces, while onshore westerly winds tend to add texture. Safety is a key consideration. Reports highlight dangerous rips and occasional rip currents, plus hazards close to the breakwater such as jetty rocks, concrete blocks, and large marina features. Stingrays are also mentioned in the shallow approach, and the spot can get crowded—so lineup discipline and paying attention near the peak is important. Lifeguards are described as seasonal, and rescue availability is limited, though emergency services via 911 and regional medical access are available. Seasonally, the spot is associated with good clean conditions and a strong best-month signal in January (with one guide citing 69% clean waves). Swell direction is commonly linked to the southwest for working surf, and the spot can also be used across a broader year window depending on swell size and wind timing. Water temperatures are warm year-round, and boardshorts or a thin rash guard are generally sufficient.
- Consistent waves peeling off the Ixtapa marina jetty
- Jetty creates both left and right waves (left emphasized for consistency)
- Best surf month reported as January with high clean-wave percentage
- Offshore north-northeast/north winds groom the faces
- Very consistent surf off the marina jetty
- Long, predictable rides on the left-hand peel
- Warm, year-round water and convenient access from the hotel zone
- Dangerous rips / occasional rip currents
- Crowds
- Jetty rocks and marina breakwater obstacles
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NNE, NE
- Offshore directions
- NNE, NE
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermal winds in the coastal area build into steadier afternoon conditions; morning is often lighter and offshore before afternoon sea breezes.
- Reliability
- quite consistent year-round
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Light gusting reported; sea-breeze pattern with gentler morning offshore tendency.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April
- Shadow Zones
- The marina breakwater provides some shelter from northwest winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Shallow, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach with entry adjacent to the rocky jetty.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Also described as capable of breaking up to 100 meters over a sand bottom; can get heavy and close out on larger swells.
- Launch
- Small — Sandy beach entry directly adjacent to the rocky jetty.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Beach entry is described as easy.
Through the year
Highest during Christmas, Easter (Semana Santa), and summer holidays.
June to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
Escolleras 1 is an exposed beach break next to the Ixtapa marina with a jetty that creates both left- and right-hand waves. The left-hand break peeling off the marina jetty is described as very consistent and popular, with long, predictable rides; right-hand waves are also reported but the left is emphasized as most consistent.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W
- Swell Height
- 0.6–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Tide preference reported as mid tide in one source; another source notes best results on high tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach break overall; the jetty/breakwater can provide some localized shelter.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore north-northeast / north winds groom the faces; onshore west winds create more textured conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and close out when swells exceed 2 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported as good overall with clean, consistent surf at times.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate power overall; can become more challenging depending on swell size and conditions.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Reported as peeling; also described as mixed overall.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peels at a medium pace.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides reported to range from about 50 to 100 meters depending on sandbar configuration and swell period.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can offer rides ranging from 50 to 100 meters depending on sandbar configuration and swell period; can break for up to 100 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Escolleras 1 in the full forecast view.
Escolleras 1 wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 15 kts
- Direction
- SSE148°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 248 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.4–2.7 m10s period
- Temperature
- 24–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Escolleras 1 is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 15 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 1.4–2.7 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
- Dangerous rips
- Jetty rocks
- Crowds
- Stingrays in the shallows
- Occasional rip currents
- Large rocks and concrete blocks of the marina jetty breakwater
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are reported as seasonal; the region includes staffed lifeguard coverage on major tourist beaches and Naval search and rescue operating out of Zihuatanejo.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited.
- Emergency Info
- General emergency services via 911; nearest major medical facilities are in Zihuatanejo.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism reported as mild to moderate; lineups are friendly but disciplined.
Rules of the spot
Follow seated lineup practices / standard surfing etiquette. Yield to the surfer closest to the peak near the rocks.
- Shuffle your feet when entering the water to avoid stingrays.
- The early morning before the sea breeze kicks in often offers the cleanest faces.
- Respect local etiquette; lineups tend to be friendly but disciplined—follow seated lineup practices.
- It’s best for confident riders who can handle a bit more intensity in the lineup.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ixtapa
- Nearest Town
- Zihuatanejo
- Nearest Airport
- Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH)
- Parking
- Limited public parking is available near the marina entrance and adjacent hotels.
- Public Transport
- Frequent combi minibus service connects the Ixtapa hotel zone with Zihuatanejo and outlying beaches (local buses and taxis also available).
- Access
- A few meters from the Hotel Zone near Palmar beach at/near the Ixtapa marina; sandy beach entry adjacent to the rocky jetty (easy beach entry).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous high-end hotels and resorts located along Playa El Palmar; many options in the hotel zone.
- Food & Drink
- Various beach clubs and restaurants are within walking distance in the Marina Ixtapa area.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available from local vendors on the beach and established schools nearby.
- Gear Storage
- Limited to specific surf shops and schools near the main launch areas.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard and ding repair services available in Zihuatanejo and at local surf shops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Ixtapa–Zihuatanejo offers a mix of modern resort infrastructure and traditional fishing-village atmosphere nearby, with seafood-focused experiences and nearby day activities.
A small island accessible by water taxi featuring calm snorkeling beaches and seafood restaurants.
Authentic morning market where local fishermen sell their catch on the beach.
A scenic 9km paved cycling and running path through ecological reserves.
Upscale and casual dining options overlooking the yachts.
Dolphin encounter programs located within the hotel zone.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Escolleras 1?
The best overall months at Escolleras 1 are June, July, August, September. The best wind months are January, February, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Escolleras 1?
Escolleras 1 works with NNE, NE winds. Offshore directions are NNE, NE.
What skill level is Escolleras 1 suitable for?
Escolleras 1 suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.