La Punta (Brisas de Zicatela)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Medium 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
La Punta (Brisas de Zicatela) is a left-hand point break located on the far-south headland of Playa Zicatela. The bottom is sandy with rock, and the wave is described as fast and peeling—typically giving long rides compared with many beach breaks—while still feeling more manageable than the heavy Zicatela beach conditions reported for the northern stretch. Surfing is the primary draw. Reports describe the wave holding from around roughly 1.0–1.5 meters (working range) and building to around 4.9–5 meters in stronger conditions. On a good swell, rides are often described in the 50 to 150 meter range, with the potential for longer runs (up to around 200 meters) depending on lineup and power. The most favorable swell direction is given as south to southwest, supporting the long left-hand shape. Hazards are a major consideration at this spot. Rocks and submerged boulders are highlighted in multiple inputs, along with strong currents on bigger days. Additional risk notes include heavy crowds at times and mentions of marine life; one surf guide also lists sharks as a hazard. Plan for more effort to get back out—especially when it’s busy—and use good etiquette in a competitive lineup. Wind is generally not positioned as a consistent wind-sports destination here: thermal sea breezes are common, but reliability is described as low and winds can be light. Occasional kitesurfing and wingfoiling are possible when the afternoon sea breeze builds, but surf remains the main focus year-round, with the best seasonal swell timing commonly cited around May through September for more consistent south swell energy.
- Fast, peeling left-hand point break
- Working range around ~1.0–1.5 m and holds up to ~4.9–5 m
- Potentially long rides (often ~50–150 m, up to ~200 m)
- More manageable than the heavy Zicatela beach break while staying powerful
- Long, peeling left-hand point break with powerful sections
- Described as a more manageable alternative to the heavier Zicatela beach break to the north
- Consistent warm conditions and generally clean water
- Strong regional classic wave reputation
- Rock hazards at/around the point
- Can get very crowded in the water depending on swell/season
- Currents can be strong on bigger days and make sessions more strenuous
- Rescue availability is limited
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Wind Range
- 8–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Afternoon thermal sea breezes are common but often light; offshore morning winds can provide cleaner faces.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Wind described as light-gusts with low overall reliability in the provided data.
- Best Months
- March, April, May
- Shadow Zones
- The point itself can create some turbulence in the immediate lee.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach with rocks at the point.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium waves; surfing conditions can scale from working surf to very large swells.
- Launch
- Small — Launch noted as headland at the far south of Playa Zicatela; also described as sandy beach area south of the main Zicatela stretch.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — One dataset says easy; another says kitesurf/wing launches are moderate due to shore break and crowds.
Through the year
Highest during winter months (December–March) and peak holiday periods; at least one surf guide also notes a can-get-busy-in-the-water pattern.
June to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
Not a primary kite destination due to generally light winds, but occasional sessions happen when the sea breeze builds (often with foil or larger wave kite setups).
- Kite Sizes
- 12–17 m²
Possible in the afternoon breeze, but launching can be challenging due to shore break and crowds; foil-friendliness is limited in the provided data.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly noted as limited.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Left-hand point break on the southern headland of Playa Zicatela. Described as significantly more manageable than the heavier beach break to the north, while still delivering powerful, fast, peeling rides.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1.2–4.9 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — One dataset lists all-tides; another specifies mid tide as optimal.
- Shelter
- Exposed — One dataset describes exposed; other data suggests semi-sheltered.
- Wind Effect
- Best with east winds; offshore morning winds from the North/Northeast provide cleaner faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well but can become very heavy with strong currents; can hold up to around 5 meters in the provided data.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Regional classic / excellent wave quality; also described as good to very strong.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Also described as fast and powerful; one provider characterizes it as moderate-to-powerful depending on conditions.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Often described as peeling; one dataset also uses a more hollow/fast characterization.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Provider notes describe fast peeling; other data indicates medium peel speed depending on conditions.
- Ride Length
- Long — Can break for up to ~200 meters; another dataset gives a typical 50 to 150 meters window.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer rides from roughly 50 to 150 meters (typical reports) and up to ~200 meters on good swells.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for La Punta (Brisas de Zicatela) in the full forecast view.
La Punta (Brisas de Zicatela) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–7 ktsGusts 14 kts
- Direction
- SW221°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 267 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–1.6 m10s period
- Temperature
- 24–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, La Punta (Brisas de Zicatela) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 14 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 1.3–1.6 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 currents
- Heavy crowds
- Marine life
- Sharks
- Animals
- Submerged boulders
- Designated swimming areas may be marked during peak holidays
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards on main beaches are noted as seasonal; dedicated lifeguard corps mentioned for main beaches including La Punta.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited; no formal motorized rescue service for wind sports is noted regionally.
- Emergency Info
- Hospitals are available in Puerto Escondido town center.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism described as mild in one provider, and moderate in another; treat as at least respectful-lineup required.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup as it is highly competitive. Be mindful and respectful with locals.
- Designated swimming areas may be marked during peak holidays.
- Early morning sessions offer the cleanest conditions before winds pick up.
- Expect long paddles back out during busy times.
- The point can be very crowded; consider adjusting location or timing if the swell is large enough to work elsewhere.
- Be mindful and respectful with locals.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Puerto Escondido
- Nearest Town
- Brisas de Zicatela
- Nearest Airport
- Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM)
- Parking
- Limited street parking in the Brisas de Zicatela neighborhood.
- Public Transport
- Frequent colectivo shuttles and taxis connect central town with Brisas de Zicatela and La Punta.
- Access
- Instant access (< 5 min) from Brisas de Zicatela; walk, drive, or bus from Zicatela (also described as walk south from Zicatela or via local taxis/colectivos). Limited street parking in the Brisas de Zicatela neighborhood.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hostels, boutique hotels, and villas within walking distance in Brisas de Zicatela.
- Food & Drink
- High density of cafes, international restaurants, and beach bars along the main sandy road in Brisas de Zicatela.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard and bodyboard rentals are widely available; wing/kite rentals are described as extremely limited or non-existent locally.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage offered by several surf camps and some accommodations; also mentioned at local surf shops and accommodations.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops can handle ding repairs.
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 La Punta (Brisas de Zicatela)?
The best overall months at La Punta (Brisas de Zicatela) are May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are March, April, May.
Which wind directions work at La Punta (Brisas de Zicatela)?
La Punta (Brisas de Zicatela) works with E winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at La Punta (Brisas de Zicatela)?
Recommended equipment sizes at La Punta (Brisas de Zicatela): Kitesurfing: 12–17 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–7 m². The typical wind range is 8–15 kts.
What skill level is La Punta (Brisas de Zicatela) suitable for?
La Punta (Brisas de Zicatela) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced to Expert · Wingfoiling: Advanced to Expert · Surfing: Intermediate.