La Saladita
- Longboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Saladita is a long left-hand point break set on an exposed coastal setup, well known for long, mellow rides that are especially friendly for longboarders and beginners. Surf quality is repeatedly described as excellent/“regional classic,” with wave behavior that tends to stay predictable and peeling rather than abrupt. Conditions are strongly influenced by the day’s wind. Morning sessions are often cleaner and glassier when offshore winds/light offshore flow settle in, while afternoon sea breezes typically add more texture; however, the wave is still reported to hold its shape for much of the day. Wind direction is commonly noted from the north and northeast, aligning with an offshore-to-seabreeze thermal rhythm. The seabed is a key part of why this spot rewards careful technique: wading and paddle logistics involve rocks and shallow sections around low tide, including reported hazards such as stingrays in sandy areas and sea urchins on rocks at the point. Crowds can increase around weekends and holidays, so sharing the lineup and following local priority etiquette (often favoring those farther out at the point) helps keep the session smooth. Seasonally, surfing is described as workable year-round, with the best surf conditions often falling between May and October for more consistent conditions. Water temperatures stay warm across the year (roughly mid-to-high 20s °C), supporting rash-guard style surfing most of the time.
- Exceptionally long left-hand point-break rides (often hundreds of meters on good days).
- Warm water year-round (roughly 26–30°C across seasons).
- Afternoon sea breeze can clear up the lineup while the wave keeps its character.
- Long, mellow left-hand point break with very long ride potential.
- Warm water year-round and clean, consistent surfing—especially in the May to October window.
- Rocks and shallow sections can be hazardous around low tide (including stingray/urchin risk around the point area).
- Crowds can build on weekends/holidays.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE, NE, ENE
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermal/offshore-to-seabreeze pattern: morning light/offshore turning to afternoon sea breeze.
- Reliability
- consistent year-round (reported), otherwise moderate with session variability
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Generally steady to light-gusty depending on session timing.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September, October
- Shadow Zones
- The point can provide some shelter from certain wind angles.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand with rocky/stone areas near the point and river-mouth sandbank.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Often described as small to medium, with the spot starting to work around ~1.0–1.5 m and holding up on larger swells.
- Launch
- Small — Shore access at the south end of the beach near a rivermouth sandbank; sandy beach entry with rocky point launch in some descriptions.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy shore access with instant access (<5 minutes).
Through the year
June to October generally fewer crowds; November to March higher crowds (one source also notes weekends can be crowded).
June to October (rainy season with occasional storms).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Occasionally possible in the bay on high tide, but the launch/point area is technically difficult for foils due to shallow rocks.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Shallow and rocky conditions near the point limit easy foil usage.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Long left-hand point break with exceptionally long, mellow rides; commonly suited to longboarding and also works for beginners due to its forgiving nature.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- SW, S
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Some sources additionally mention a rising tide as favorable.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point/reef-style setup; wind direction strongly influences how clean the wave looks.
- Wind Effect
- Morning light/offshore winds can create cleaner/glassier faces; afternoon onshore texture increases but the wave generally holds its shape.
- Bigger Swell
- Maintains a peeling shape even when overhead; paddle-out becomes more challenging on larger days.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Described as regional classic / world-famous with consistent quality.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Mellow, forgiving pace typical for longboarding.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Also described as peeling with a mellow, longboard-friendly rhythm.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Reported as medium in one dataset; described as slower/mellow in another.
- Ride Length
- Long — Very long rides on consistent swells.
- Typical Ride Length
- 200–500 m
- Ride Length Details
- Long, smooth rides frequently reported around 300–500 meters on good/consistent days; some references cite up to ~500 meters and typical sessions vary by swell consistency.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for La Saladita in the full forecast view.
La Saladita wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–7 ktsGusts 14 kts
- Direction
- W262°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 277 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.4–2.5 m10s period
- Temperature
- 23–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, La Saladita is forecast for daytime winds of 2–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 14 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 1.4–2.5 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
- sharp rocks when wading into the channel
- rocks at/near the point, especially around low tide
- stingrays in sandy/wading areas
- sea urchins on rocks at the point
- crowds
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No formal on-site water rescue service reported; rely on local assistance and informal support.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospitals/major medical facilities are in Zihuatanejo (about 45–60 minutes away).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Local priority/etiquette is expected around the point and inside section.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette; priority often given to those furthest out at the point.
- Afternoons can be best for surfing when lighter winds help clear some crowds.
- Be careful on the inside section at low tide as rocks can become very shallow.
- Walking in sandy areas: use the 'stingray shuffle' technique.
- Timeline tip: tide changes daily around late morning (reported around 10:30–11:00 am) and conditions can improve after.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Zihuatanejo
- Nearest Town
- La Saladita
- Nearest Airport
- Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH)
- Parking
- Available near beach access points; some sources note limited parking near the beach/local restaurants.
- Public Transport
- Limited public transport; most visitors rely on car rentals or pre-arranged transfers.
- Access
- Accessible via Highway 200; turn-off at Los Llanos and follow the road to the beach. Parking is available near beach access points (some sources note limited parking).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Beachfront bungalows/surf houses/small hotels are available near the point/coast.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and bars nearby; local beachfront food is commonly available.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf equipment rental available locally, especially longboards.
- Gear Storage
- Some surf camps/hosts provide storage options.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard ding repair locally reported.
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 Saladita?
The best overall months at La Saladita are May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at La Saladita?
La Saladita works with N, NNE winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NE, ENE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at La Saladita?
Recommended equipment sizes at La Saladita: Wingfoiling: 5–7 m². The typical wind range is 5–15 kts.
What skill level is La Saladita suitable for?
La Saladita suits these riding levels: Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner.