Playa Linda 1 (Ixtapa)
- Longboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- 8–15 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Linda 1 (Ixtapa) is a mellow, user-friendly left-hand surf spot that behaves like a river-mouth/point-style break. Multiple descriptions highlight long, gentle rides that can suit surf lessons and early progression, with occasional rights depending on how the lineup comes in. The wave is typically approached via a walk across rocks for launch and access, so conditions near the jetty/river mouth area matter for safety. The shore is sandy, but rocks near the entrance and near-shore obstacles are a recurring note—use caution when entering and exiting the water. Wind is thermal/sea-breeze related and can build through the day; several sources emphasize that the session is usually best in the morning before the wind picks up and makes the water choppier. Reported east winds can groom the waves when offshore/clean, but later on the sea breeze can reduce comfort for a typical longboarding-style ride. Wildlife and water conditions also require attention: stingrays are reported in the sand, and there is a crocodile sanctuary right at the beach entrance area with warnings that crocodiles sometimes get in. Debris after heavy rains is another noted factor. Overall, it’s positioned as a reliable, warm-water surf option for beginners—especially for morning sessions—while taking extra care around the entrance zone.
- Long left-hand rides (often reported around 50–150 meters).
- Best sessions tend to be in the morning before wind builds.
- Beginner-leaning, mellow break character.
- Beginner-friendly, mellow left-hand long ride from a river-mouth/point-style setup.
- Typically best in the morning before winds pick up.
- Warm water and sandy access make it approachable for progression.
- Long wave rides reported in the ~50–150 m range.
- Rocks near shore/jetty create access risk.
- Wildlife hazards noted around the beach entrance (including crocodiles) and stingrays in sand.
- Wind can become choppy later in the day, so afternoons may be less friendly for some sessions.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 8–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermal-driven sea-breeze pattern; typically builds later in the day and can be best early before it strengthens.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Typically steady; one source also indicates light gusts/low gustiness.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Feb, Mar, Apr, May · Dir: E, ENE, SE, ESE · Regional thermal sea-breeze behavior typically develops from early afternoon and peaks mid-afternoon; for this spot, multiple notes also emphasize the morning as the most user-friendly wind window.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach with rocks/obstacles concentrated near the jetty and river mouth.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Also described as small/mild depending on conditions.
- Launch
- Medium — Walk across rocks to access water; otherwise approach is from sand where available.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Access requires stepping/walking across rocks, though there is also mention of an easier sandy setup.
Through the year
Busy on weekends and during Mexican holidays; quieter during midweek.
June to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
A mellow, user-friendly long left-hand river-mouth/point-style break that offers long rides with a shorter right available on occasion.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Also listed as working across all tides by another provider.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Also described as exposed in one assessment, so exposure may vary with conditions and exact setup.
- Wind Effect
- Cross-shore to onshore from the east; generally best in the morning before wind picks up.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size and can form hollow sections when conditions align; one source notes it can close out on very large swells but generally holds up to about head-high.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Also described as average in another assessment.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Also described as soft/small in one source.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling, with additional descriptions of long, gentle lefts.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Also described as slow/very gentle in another assessment.
- Ride Length
- Long — Long rides; measured estimates commonly fall in the 50–150 m range.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Reported ride-length ranges include approximately 50–150 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Playa Linda 1 (Ixtapa) in the full forecast view.
Playa Linda 1 (Ixtapa) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 15 kts
- Direction
- SSE150°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 279 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.4–2.7 m10s period
- Temperature
- 24–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Playa Linda 1 (Ixtapa) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 15 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 1.4–2.7 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 near shore/jetty
- stingrays in the sand
- debris after heavy rains
- crocodile sanctuary nearby (crocodiles can sometimes enter)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — One source indicates no lifeguards; another mentions seasonal lifeguards. Treat as not reliable for this specific session.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level sources indicate no rescue availability.
- Emergency Info
- Primary emergency number is 911; maritime safety is overseen locally with limited rescue availability in the area.
Rules of the spot
Walk across rocks to access the water. Follow standard surfing etiquette.
- Best in the morning before the wind picks up.
- Shuffle your feet in the sand to avoid stingrays.
- Be aware of crocodiles at/near the beach entrance (they may be behind a fence but can sometimes get in).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo
- Nearest Town
- San José Ixtapa (Barrio Viejo)
- Nearest Airport
- Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH)
- Parking
- Drive down to the beach; parking described as available nearby (including large public parking).
- Public Transport
- Taxis and public transport connect San José Ixtapa, the hotel zone, and Zihuatanejo.
- Access
- Drive down to the beach, walk across the rocks, and paddle out.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels and resorts in the Ixtapa hotel zone; extensive nearby options.
- Food & Drink
- Beach restaurants on Ixtapa island nearby; multiple beach restaurants (enramadas) serving local seafood and drinks.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboards and SUP boards are available for rent at stalls on the beach; surf equipment rental mentioned generally as available.
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 Playa Linda 1 (Ixtapa)?
The best overall months at Playa Linda 1 (Ixtapa) are April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Playa Linda 1 (Ixtapa)?
Playa Linda 1 (Ixtapa) works with E winds. Offshore directions are E.
What skill level is Playa Linda 1 (Ixtapa) suitable for?
Playa Linda 1 (Ixtapa) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.