Playa de Fortuna
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Flat
- Spot Type
- Empty
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Playa de Fortuna is an exposed, remote beach break on the Jalisco coast, producing fairly consistent surf with both left- and right-hand waves. The spot is typically rarely crowded, which suits surfers looking for uncrowded sessions. Surf quality is reported as good under the most favorable swell/wind matchups. Summer is the standout season, and the best conditions are reported when a west swell combines with winds from the northeast (or when the offshore wind direction aligns with prevailing conditions). A medium ride length and peeling wave shape are commonly described for the working setup. Safety is a primary consideration: rip currents and sharks are both reported hazards, and the area is very isolated with little-to-no crowd even on good days. There are no lifeguards at the spot and rescue is not available on-site, so visitors should be prepared to self-manage—bringing appropriate gear such as a leash and a wetsuit and carrying sufficient supplies. On the seasonality side, water stays warm year-round, with sources describing an approximate warm range and peak temperatures in late summer. Best conditions are generally associated with summer, while regional guidance also flags June to October as the rainy/hurricane period, which may affect access and overall safety margins.
- Rarely crowded exposed beach break with left and right waves
- Summer is the optimum season for surfing
- Working combo reported as west swell with northeast winds
- Exposed beach break with fairly consistent left and right waves
- Best surfing conditions reported in summer
- Rarely crowded
- Warm water year-round (reported to peak in late summer)
- Remote location with very limited services nearby
- Rip currents and sharks reported as hazards
- No lifeguards or spot rescue
- Conditions can close out on larger swell
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Northeast trades; summer wind reported as a key factor.
- Reliability
- 40% monthly blown
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Afternoon sea-breeze pattern noted.
- Best Months
- July, August, September
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun · Dir: N · Afternoon sea breezes are common in spring and early summer; thermal window commonly cited as 14:00–18:00.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Medium wave size reported; larger swell can close out above ~3 meters.
- Launch
- Big — Wide open sandy beach with ample space.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty varies by conditions; moderate for general access.
Through the year
rarely crowded throughout the year
June to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach break with fairly consistent left and right waves along a stretch of undeveloped coastline; remote with solitude and limited infrastructure.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide reported as optimal.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed to ocean swell along undeveloped coastline.
- Wind Effect
- Best with northeast winds; cross-onshore winds are common in the afternoon sea-breeze period.
- Bigger Swell
- Tends to close out when swell exceeds 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good wave quality reported for the working conditions.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate power with consistent peaks.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling shape commonly described.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling waves with medium peel speed reported.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Medium ride length; fast peaks can produce short barreling sections on some right-hand swell.
- Ride Length Details
- Fast peaks can offer short barreling sections on the right swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Playa de Fortuna in the full forecast view.
Playa de Fortuna wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- SSW195°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 289 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.2 m11s period
- Temperature
- 24–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Playa de Fortuna is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 1.2–2.2 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
- rips
- sharks
- strong sun
- remoteness
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue at the spot; regional guidance indicates rescue availability is limited in the remote area.
- Emergency Info
- No specific emergency guidance was found for the beach itself; nearest medical facilities are reported in Tomatlán or further north in Puerto Vallarta. Emergency number: 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Sources indicate no localism issues; rider turnout is typically very small.
Rules of the spot
Take care of rips and sharks; follow standard surf etiquette and self-manage in the absence of on-site rescue/lifeguards.
- Bring all necessary supplies including water and food—there are no services nearby.
- Use leash and bring a wetsuit.
- Plan for isolation: the area is very remote with almost no crowd even on good days.
- After rain, access tracks can be sandy and difficult (plan transport accordingly).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Chalacatepec
- Nearest Town
- Chalacatepec
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Very limited accommodation; mostly small guesthouses in surrounding villages plus camping. Limited lodging is also available in nearby towns.
- Food & Drink
- No food/drink at the beach; basic supplies reported available in the nearest town.
- Equipment Rental:
- No established equipment rental in the immediate vicinity.
- Gear Storage
- No professional gear storage facilities reported.
- Gear Repair
- No specialized repair services reported locally.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The surrounding Chalacatepec (Tomatlán) Coast is an off-the-grid, nature-first shoreline known for wide, quiet beaches and limited development.
Miles of untouched, golden-sand beaches offering seclusion and raw natural beauty.
A traditional Mexican town known for agriculture, a local church, and authentic regional cuisine.
An expansive estuary system for bird watching, kayaking, and exploring mangroves.
Rustic beachfront eateries serving fresh Pacific seafood, especially grilled fish and shrimp.
Local conservation camps that may allow visitors to participate in sea turtle hatchling releases during the season.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Playa de Fortuna?
The best overall months at Playa de Fortuna are July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Playa de Fortuna?
Playa de Fortuna works with NE winds.
What skill level is Playa de Fortuna suitable for?
Playa de Fortuna suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.