Punta Chipehua (Tehuantepec Coast)

KitesurfingWingfoilingSurfing
Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Mixed, Small waves
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Punta Chipehua is an exposed right-hand beach-reef/point break on the Tehuantepec Coast, characterized by long, mechanically peeling waves when the sand aligns and the swell is in the right direction. Across reports, the spot is described as consistent and capable of very long rides on a good day, with north winds tending to be offshore and grooming the face rather than blowing it apart. Surfing access is a key part of the experience and the safety planning. Reaching the beach is remote: routes involve walking long distances and/or driving through massive sand dunes, with a 4x4 strongly recommended. One access route passes through a protected turtle sanctuary, and local guidance recommends using a local guide for safe and efficient access. Hazards are taken seriously here. Sharks are specifically reported as present in the area, and stingrays are noted in the shallows—so entry should be careful (shuffle feet) and time in shallow water should be managed. Strong winter North winds (Tehuano winds) are described as intense offshore; while offshore can improve wave quality, it also increases difficulty and risk for inexperienced riders. Timing-wise, sources differ slightly on the “best” window depending on what you’re chasing: summer-to-fall is commonly cited, with July highlighted as a top month by one surf guide source. Another set of reports also describes stronger winter swell/sessions, while wind patterns are generally most reliable in winter months. Overall, plan around swell from the south-southwest/southwest sector and north winds for the best face conditions, and expect a low-to-moderate crowd that is often concentrated around surf-camp guests rather than mass tourism.

  • Exposed right-hand beach-reef/point break with consistent action
  • North winds help groom faces offshore
  • Long, peeling waves with mechanical feel on the right swell
  • Remote, off-the-grid environment
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Consistent exposed right-hand point/reef setup with long rides on the right swell.
  • North winds can be offshore, helping groom wave faces.
  • Water quality is reported as clean/high-quality for the region.
  • Generally low to moderate crowd, often with guests from local surf camps.
Heads up
  • Remote access (often requires a 4x4 and guided access through dunes/turtle sanctuary route).
  • Shark hazard noted in the area.
  • Stingrays in the shallows and strong offshore winds can raise risk.
  • No formal rescue/lifeguard services at the spot.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
N
Offshore directions
N
Wind Range
15–30 kts
Wind Type
Gradient — Dominated by Tehuano (offshore funneling) wind behavior; local guidance describes the strongest winter North winds as perfectly offshore for the point but potentially very strong.
Reliability
High during winter months
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts
Best Months
January, February, March, April, November, December
Recommended Kite Sizes
7–10 m²

Water & beach

Water Type
Mixed, Small waves
Beach
Sand — Sand beach with massive dunes
Beach Size
Big
Waves
Medium
Launch
Big — Wide sandy beach with large dunes behind the point.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Moderate difficulty with remote access logistics; one provider rates access/launch as easy due to wide sandy approach.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
24–29 °C
Water Temperature
28–34 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: rashguard or 1mm neoprene top (thin shorty may be comfortable during strong winter North winds)
Crowds by Season

Low to moderate; mostly guests from local surf camps.

Storm/Rain Season

June to October

By sport

What to expect for each.

KitesurfingSkill Level

Rarely kited due to strongly offshore Tehuano winds; if attempted, it is generally only suitable for expert riders with boat support (especially for downwinders).

WaveStrapless
Kite Sizes
7–10 m²
WingfoilingSkill Level

Foil-friendly on smaller, softer days; offshore wind makes it challenging to stay in position.

Foil Friendly
Limited
Min Depth
1.5 meters
Wing Sizes
3–5 m²
SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed beach-reef and point break with long, consistent right-hand waves (right-breaking reefs on the exposed beach/point). Shelter is limited due to exposure.

Reef breakPoint break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
SSW, S, SW, SSE, SE, WSW, SSW
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
Low — One provider indicates low tide as optimal; another indicates mid tide for the point break—conditions may vary by swell/section.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed beach-reef/point; another source describes semi-sheltered conditions due to the point geometry.
Wind Effect
Best with north winds; North winds are offshore and can groom the wave faces.
Bigger Swell
Can close out in the middle section if swell is too large or too far west.
Wave Quality
Excellent — World-class / good to excellent consistency and mechanical feel described across sources.
Wave Power
Moderate
Wave Shape
Peeling
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Long — Long, perfectly tapered walls running nearly perpendicular to the beach; on a good swell with proper sand alignment waves can peel for long distances.
Typical Ride Length
200–400 m
Ride Length Details
A good swell can produce long rides (one source cites about 200–400 meters; another gives a typical ~300 meters).
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Punta Chipehua (Tehuantepec Coast) in the full forecast view.

Punta Chipehua (Tehuantepec Coast) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
6–18 ktsGusts 36 kts
Direction
NNE24°
Strongest day
Sun, Oct 2518 kts
Windy days
7/712 kts or more
Waves
1.0–1.7 m9s period
Temperature
24–36 °C

Over the next 7 days, Punta Chipehua (Tehuantepec Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 36 kts. The prevailing direction is NNE. Waves run 1.0–1.7 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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

  • Sharks
  • Remote location
  • Strong offshore winds (winter North winds can be very hard)
  • Extreme heat and dehydration
  • Stingrays in the shallows
  • Protected turtle sanctuary access route
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
LeashWetsuitBoots

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No rescue availability reported for this specific spot; regional baseline notes limited formal water rescue services in the immediate rural area.
Emergency Info
Nearest medical facilities are in Salina Cruz (about 1 hour away). National emergency number: 911.
Localism / Vibe
Mild — Mild localism; local guides/camp groups are commonly involved in access and logistics.

Rules of the spot

Standard surf etiquette applies; respect local surf camp groups and guides.

Restrictions
  • No specific restrictions beyond protecting the turtle sanctuary; access should be done carefully via guidance/local route.
Local Tips
  • Beware of sharks in the area.
  • For safe access, use a local guide for the long walk down the beach through the turtle sanctuary.
  • Bring plenty of water for heat; dunes reflect heat significantly.
  • Shuffle your feet when entering the water to avoid stingrays.
  • Plan for difficult access: dunes require a 4x4 vehicle.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Salina Cruz
Nearest Town
Concepción Bamba
Nearest Airport
Bahías de Huatulco International Airport (HUX) (~110–130 km) is a primary gateway; Salina Cruz Airport is also about a 40-minute drive
Parking
Informal parking on sand dunes or beach level (as described by one source).
Public Transport
Limited local buses and shared taxis along the main highway; reaching the coast can require walking or private transport
Access
Remote access via a sandy track/long beach walk; a 4x4 is highly recommended. Some access routes pass through a protected turtle sanctuary (use a local guide).
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
Spanish
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Nearby town — Accommodation is centered around rustic surf camps and small guesthouses in/near Concepción Bamba and hotels in Salina Cruz.
Food & Drink
Small local eateries (comedores) in the nearby village.
Equipment Rental:
Equipment rental is available through surf camps in the area or local guides; specialized kite/wingfoil gear is rare and should be brought by visitors.
Gear Storage
Storage is generally limited to guests staying at local surf camps/eco-lodges.
Gear Repair
Minor repairs possible in Salina Cruz (not at the spot itself).
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Tourism in the Tehuantepec Coast area focuses on off-the-grid adventure and surfing, with minimal crowds and locally rooted coastal culture.

Best time to visit: March to May
Tehuantepec Coastal Trekking0 km

Exploration of the rugged, undeveloped coastline and hidden coves between fishing villages.

Local Palapas1 km

Basic beachfront eateries serving fresh catch-of-the-day and traditional Mexican seafood.

Beach Combing and Wildlife Watching0 km

Remote beaches for viewing sea birds and occasional turtle nesting sites.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Punta Chipehua (Tehuantepec Coast)?

The best overall months at Punta Chipehua (Tehuantepec Coast) are July, August, September, October, November, December. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, November, December.

Which wind directions work at Punta Chipehua (Tehuantepec Coast)?

Punta Chipehua (Tehuantepec Coast) works with N winds. Offshore directions are N.

What equipment sizes are recommended at Punta Chipehua (Tehuantepec Coast)?

Recommended equipment sizes at Punta Chipehua (Tehuantepec Coast): Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.

What skill level is Punta Chipehua (Tehuantepec Coast) suitable for?

Punta Chipehua (Tehuantepec Coast) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Expert · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.