Patole (Punta Prieta)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Patole (Punta Prieta) is an exposed left-hand point break with fairly consistent surf, making it a standout destination for advanced surfers. The wave is described as mechanical and capable of very long rides, especially when a south/southwest swell meets offshore east to east-northeast wind conditions. Sessions are typically best in the summer season window (April through September), with August noted as a top month. The break is strongly affected by wind direction: east winds groom the wave, while onshore winds can add chop. Low tide is also reported as an optimal condition. Safety is a major consideration. The lineup is rocky with submerged hazards, and sea urchins are specifically called out at low tide. There are also reports of stingrays and rattlesnakes in the surrounding brush when walking down to the point, and the area is remote—plan for limited or no immediate help. Access is controlled through a private ranch (Rancho Patole), requiring an entrance fee and compliance with ranch operating hours. There are no facilities on-site, so you should arrive fully self-sufficient with water, food, and shade, and consider using a 4WD vehicle for the dirt access road—especially after rain.
- Exposed left-hand point break with consistent surf
- Long, mechanical rides on south/southwest swells
- Offshore east to east-northeast winds can groom the wave
- Rarely crowded due to remote, private access
- Exposed, high-quality left-hand point break with fairly consistent surf.
- Long, mechanical rides reported on optimal south/southwest swells.
- Often rarely crowded due to remote location and private access.
- Rocks and sea urchins make the waterline hazardous, especially at low tide.
- Remote access with no on-site facilities or official rescue/lifeguards.
- Private-property access with ranch hours and an entrance fee.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ENE
- Offshore directions
- E, ENE
- Wind Range
- 10–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Offshore east–northeast winds groom the wave; regional patterns are influenced by thermal/gradient flow.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Sea-breeze style gustiness reported as light.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Point provides shelter from North winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky shoreline.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Reported as medium; can hold significant size on bigger swells.
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky shoreline with patches of sand.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Rocky access with hazards.
Through the year
Generally quiet due to remote location and private access; weekends can see more visitors during peak swell events.
July to October (hurricane season).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed left-hand point break with fairly consistent surf; best in summer.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is reported as optimal.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open/exposed point break.
- Wind Effect
- East to east-northeast winds are offshore and groom the wave; west/northwest winds are onshore and cause chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size and becomes very powerful; requires experienced positioning.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Excellent wave quality and mechanical consistency.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Can become very powerful on bigger swells.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Mechanical, consistent peeling left-hand point break.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peels across the boulder/sandy sections at a controlled pace.
- Ride Length
- Long — Extremely long lefts are reported on optimal swells.
- Typical Ride Length
- 300–500 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can peel for several hundred meters on optimal south swells; very long rides reported.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Patole (Punta Prieta) in the full forecast view.
Patole (Punta Prieta) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- WSW245°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 288 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.1 m11s period
- Temperature
- 24–33 °C
Over the next 7 days, Patole (Punta Prieta) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.8–1.1 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
- Rocks in the lineup
- Submerged rocks
- Sea urchins
- Stingrays
- Rattlesnakes in the surrounding brush
- Dehydration
- Remote location with no immediate medical aid
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards on-site.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue reported for the spot; treat as no official rescue.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Mazatlán (about 1 hour south). National emergency number: 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Generally described as respectful and rarely crowded; private access implies some local-control of entry.
Rules of the spot
Be self-sufficient: bring all food, water, shade and check ranch access/operating hours; access is private property.
- Access via private property (Rancho Patole); visitors must pay a small entrance fee.
- Access is limited by ranch operating hours; private property access only.
- Take care of rocks in the line up.
- Watch out for sea urchins and rocks at low tide.
- Bring all your own water, food, and shade as there are no facilities.
- Walk carefully in the brush and watch for rattlesnakes.
- A 4WD vehicle is highly recommended for the dirt access road, especially after rain.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Mazatlán
- Nearest Town
- Punta Prieta
- Nearest Airport
- Mazatlán International Airport (MZT)
- Parking
- Dirt parking area near the point within the ranch boundaries.
- Public Transport
- Public transport is non-existent to the specific launches; a high-clearance vehicle or 4WD is strongly recommended to navigate dirt access roads.
- Access
- Access is via a dirt road off Highway 15D, passing through the private Rancho Patole; look for signs for the ranch.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Far — Primitive camping may be permitted sometimes on the ranch; otherwise, hotels are located in Mazatlán.
- Food & Drink
- None available on-site; bring supplies from Mazatlán.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available on-site; gear must be brought or arranged separately.
- Gear Storage
- None available.
- Gear Repair
- None on-site.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Archaeological site with ancient petroglyphs carved into volcanic rocks on the beach.
Traditional Mexican town that serves as the administrative head of the municipality.
Extensive dirt tracks and beach driving opportunities for experienced off-roaders.
Traditional Sinaloan rural cuisine in the nearby Pueblo Mágico area of El Quelite.
Pristine, uncrowded beaches suited to nature watching and birding.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Patole (Punta Prieta)?
The best overall months at Patole (Punta Prieta) are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Patole (Punta Prieta)?
Patole (Punta Prieta) works with E, ENE winds. Offshore directions are E, ENE.
What skill level is Patole (Punta Prieta) suitable for?
Patole (Punta Prieta) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.