La Barrita (Petatlán)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Flat, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
La Barrita is an exposed beach-break off the Costa Grande coast, known for fast, powerful surf that delivers consistent left and right waves. The bottom is described as sandy with rocks, so wave intensity can change quickly and the rock hazards require extra awareness. Sessions are typically best when the swell is already working—around 1.0–1.5 m—and the spot is noted for holding up to roughly 4 m+ on bigger days. Wave quality is described as good and “regional classic,” but rides tend to be short, often under 50 meters, with intense, fast sections. Wind notes across sources point to best performance with offshore north components, with one description favoring light offshore morning winds. Across the broader seasonal pattern for the area, the most reliable surfing period is winter into early spring (and/or late year), with a longer peak-window referenced by one provider as May to October for swell, and November to April for cleaner conditions. Safety-wise, rocks and strong rips/strong currents are the main warnings, and there is no lifeguard presence confirmed. On weekends the area can get crowded with surfers from nearby hubs, so if you want a quieter session, plan around weekday timing.
- Fast, powerful beach-break with both left and right waves
- Works from ~1.0–1.5 m and can hold up to ~4 m+
- Short rides (typically under 50 m) with fast peel
- Rocks + strong rips/currents: plan for hazards
- Consistent beach-break with both left and right waves.
- Can hold significant size (working around 1.0–1.5 m and up to ~4 m+).
- Fast, powerful waves with good/strong quality described as a regional classic.
- Mostly reliable conditions during the drier winter period.
- Rocks in the water create hazard risk.
- Strong rips/strong currents are reported.
- Fast, powerful surf can be punishing for anything but confident, experienced surfers.
- Weekends can be crowded.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, N
- Offshore directions
- N
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Provider data includes gradient; one source also describes NW sea-breeze conditions.
- Reliability
- unconfirmed
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, November, December
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Regional pattern suggests afternoon sea-breeze build (roughly 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM), though this spot-level record is primarily supported by winter/offshore wind notes.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand with rock hazards.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Swell described as starting at about 1.0–1.5 m and holding to 4 m+; sources label it small to medium/medium depending on context.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach launch with rock hazards.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — One source rates launch as easy; another rates launch as moderate—use caution due to rocks and currents.
Through the year
Weekends are busier than weekdays; high season for tourism is December through April.
June to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed, fast beach-break surf with consistent left and right waves. Works best when swell size starts around 1.0–1.5 m and can hold up to 4 m+; typically intense but short rides.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides, High — One source says high tide; the authoritative baseline indicates all tides, especially rising and falling tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed river beach-break with little protection from the open shoreline.
- Wind Effect
- Best with offshore north winds (and, per one source, light offshore morning winds; also described as best with NE/N light offshore winds). Wind can be described as NW/sea-breeze dependent by source.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size and remains rideable up to about 4 meters or more.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Regional classic / good quality is indicated.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Often described as fast and powerful; holds size on bigger swells.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling shape is specifically noted.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast, powerful waves are repeatedly noted.
- Ride Length
- Short — Typical rides are relatively short, often under 50 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 0–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Less than 50 meters; described as short with intense sections.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for La Barrita (Petatlán) in the full forecast view.
La Barrita (Petatlán) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- S190°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 268 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–2.2 m10s period
- Temperature
- 24–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, La Barrita (Petatlán) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 1.3–2.2 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
- rocks
- strong rips
- strong currents
- powerful waves
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence confirmed.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated surf rescue service confirmed; regional emergency response is managed via Mexican authorities (SEMAR out of Zihuatanejo or local Civil Protection).
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Zihuatanejo (about 45 minutes away). In Mexico, the emergency number is 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — One source describes mild localism; another indicates none.
Rules of the spot
Caution is advised due to rocks in the water and strong rips/currents.
- Avoid the water if you are not comfortable with strong rips/currents and powerful, fast waves.
- Take care of the strong rips here.
- The wave is fast and powerful with a sandy bottom over rock—maintain control and be ready for sudden intensity changes.
- Weekends can be busier with visiting surfers.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Petatlá¡¡n
- Nearest Town
- Puente la Barrita
- Nearest Airport
- Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH)
- Parking
- Parking is available near the beachfront restaurants.
- Public Transport
- Limited local bus and combi service along Highway 200; car rentals or taxis from Zihuatanejo are the primary means of access.
- Access
- From Zihuatanejo, drive to Acapulco via freeway 200. After Petatlán (about half an hour from Zihuatanejo), continue about 15 miles until you see restaurants and rocks inside the sea; the spot is accessible by a 15–30 minute walk.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Basic local guesthouses and beachfront enramadas; more options in Petatlán and Zihuatanejo.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous beachfront restaurants (enramadas) specializing in fresh local seafood.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is limited; better to bring your own or rent in Zihuatanejo. Surfboards and SUPs are available to rent at local beachfront establishments (kite/windsurf specific rentals are rare).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A rustic, surf- and seafood-focused Costa Grande coastal experience with a quieter feel outside larger developed hubs.
Scenic beach known for powerful waves and local seafood restaurants.
Significant pre-Columbian archaeological site featuring a pyramid and a museum.
Renowned regional surf break attracting intermediate to advanced surfers.
Open-air beachfront restaurants specializing in fresh Pacific seafood.
Humpback whale watching tours operating out of nearby Zihuatanejo during winter months.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at La Barrita (Petatlán)?
The best overall months at La Barrita (Petatlán) are November, December, January, February, March, April, May. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, November, December.
Which wind directions work at La Barrita (Petatlán)?
La Barrita (Petatlán) works with NW, N winds. Offshore directions are N.
What skill level is La Barrita (Petatlán) suitable for?
La Barrita (Petatlán) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.