Ocos
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Ocos is an exposed river-mouth surfing break at the Suchiate River, offering both left and right waves. When the northeast winds blow offshore, the surface tends to stay cleaner and groundswells can form a usable lineup. The spot is highly influenced by the river discharge and changing sandbar configurations, so the best waves depend on how the river is running and how the tide shapes the sand/peaks at that moment. Rides are typically short, but can be punchy when the sandbar/peak shape cooperates. Safety is a major consideration: the river mouth environment brings strong currents and rip conditions, and the area can carry river debris (including logs during wetter months). Crocodiles and submerged structures have also been noted as hazards, so anyone entering the water should be prepared and stay highly aware of surroundings. Best conditions are reported around November, with offshore northeast winds and clean groundswells. The water is warm year-round, and for many visitors a rash guard is sufficient for sun/jellyfish protection; murkier conditions and more debris are more likely during the rainy season (May to October).
- Exposed river-mouth break with both left and right waves
- Offshore NE winds often provide cleaner surf conditions
- Warm tropical water year-round
- Rarely crowded, low-profile destination
- Both left and right waves
- Offshore NE winds help keep the surface clean
- Rarely crowded and generally quiet
- Strong currents/rip currents at the river mouth
- Conditions can become turbulent and debris-prone, especially after heavy rains
- Very exposed setting
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- NNE, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Providers describe winds as a mix, with offshore northeast winds being a key condition for surf cleanliness.
- Reliability
- low (wind reliability reported as low by one provider; Surf-Forecast reports monthly blown percentage at 36)
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported by one provider.
- Best Months
- November
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Rocks — Provider split: one describes rocky composition; another describes sand. Keep expectations flexible at the river mouth.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Medium — Surf spot guide notes very small occurrence at times (monthly small percent), while another provider rates typical size as medium.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide staging area is available at the river mouth beach, but launch is dictated by river flow and tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty due to river dynamics.
Through the year
Generally very quiet and uncrowded year-round.
May to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed river-mouth break with peaks on both sides of the river discharge, offering both left and right waves with clean groundswells when winds are offshore (from the northeast). Wave quality and lineup are affected by sandbar configuration/river flow, and conditions can become highly turbulent on very large swells due to the river current.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE, SW, SSW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Optimal tide reported as mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed river break; limited natural shelter.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore conditions with NE winds tend to keep the surface cleaner.
- Bigger Swell
- On very large swells it can close out or become extremely turbulent due to the river current.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality rated average by one provider; other provider emphasizes clean groundswells with offshore winds.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — One provider rates wave power as moderate; another describes generally clean groundswells.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Short rides, sometimes punchy depending on sandbar/peak shape.
- Ride Length Details
- Short but occasionally punchy rides depending on sandbar shape.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ocos in the full forecast view.
Ocos wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–7 ktsGusts 14 kts
- Direction
- WSW249°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 257 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–1.5 m11s period
- Temperature
- 23–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ocos is forecast for daytime winds of 1–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 14 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 1.1–1.5 m with a period of about 11s. 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
- strong river currents
- rip currents
- river debris
- submerged structures
- submerged logs during rainy season
- crocodiles
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported for the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue availability reported at the spot level.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Tapachula (about 45 minutes away). Dial 911 for emergencies in Mexico.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No specific localism issues were indicated at the spot level.
Rules of the spot
Watch for dangerous rips/strong currents at the river mouth; check for river debris after heavy rains.
- Watch out for dangerous rips.
- Check for river debris after heavy rains as the river can carry significant logs and trash.
- The spot is remote and on a border area—keep a low profile and be aware of your surroundings.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Tapachula
- Nearest Town
- El Gancho
- Nearest Airport
- Tapachula International Airport (TAP)
- Parking
- Limited informal parking available near the beach and within the village.
- Public Transport
- Limited local colectivos and taxis from Tapachula to border communities.
- Access
- Accessible via local roads from Tapachula to the border village of El Gancho; the spot is at the mouth of the Suchiate River.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Basic guesthouses are available in nearby towns; most visitors stay in Tapachula.
- Food & Drink
- Small local eateries (comedores) in El Gancho serving seafood and basic snacks.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental not available in the region (spot-level providers did not report rental at this launch).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A remote, cross-border border-area setting focused on raw nature and local culture around the Suchiate River.
The natural border between Mexico and Guatemala, featuring a unique local commerce scene.
An extensive pre-Columbian archaeological site of the Mixe-Zoquean culture.
A challenging trek up the second-highest peak in Central America.
Rustic beachfront eateries serving fresh Pacific catch and 'botanas'.
A nearby port town with more developed beach infrastructure and restaurants.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ocos?
The best overall months at Ocos are November, December, January. The best wind months are November.
Which wind directions work at Ocos?
Ocos works with NE winds. Offshore directions are NNE, NE.
What skill level is Ocos suitable for?
Ocos suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.