Punta Colorada

Advanced riders, Longboard
Best for
Advanced
Skill Level
Ocean
Spot Type
5–15 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Punta Colorada is an exposed point/river-mouth surf spot near the Punta Maldonado area, where southern swells can produce hollow, peaky waves. It’s described as having quite reliable surf in the summer, with conditions often helped by northeast winds that can blow offshore for the setup. The break is generally characterized as an advanced wave option: sources describe hollow/barreling sections with fast peeling or longer rides, and one report specifies peaky hollow barrels. Wave quality is described as excellent/good, and optimal swell is given as south-southwest with a working swell-height window around 1.5–3.0 meters. Mid-tide is noted as optimal in one description. Safety is a major consideration at the river mouth. Multiple sources report hazards including sharks, and also mention crocodiles near the river mouth. Strong rip currents and drift are specifically called out, and the river mouth can be murky after rain. After heavy rains, river debris can be present, and the area can be environmentally stressed due to pollution from sewage overflow. Visiting is typically low-crowd due to the rugged, remote access and the nature of the approach. There is no lifeguarding or dedicated water rescue coverage locally, and medical facilities are reported to be hours away, so riders should plan conservatively and avoid surfing alone.

  • Hollow, peaky surf potential from southern swells
  • Offshore northeast wind window
  • Remote, off-the-grid fishing-village feel
  • Turtle-related local opportunities may be available
  • Beautiful sunsets
Great for
Advanced ridersSurfing longboard
What's great
  • Often reliable and sometimes powerful surfing.
  • Offshore northeast winds can help keep surf cleaner.
  • Advanced-level hollow wave potential on suitable swells.
Heads up
  • Exposed and remote—self-sufficiency is required.
  • Strong rip currents and drift near the river mouth.
  • Pollution risk from sewage overflow.
  • Predators reported in the river-mouth area.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
NE
Offshore directions
NE
Wind Range
5–15 kts
Wind Type
Trade — Northeast trade winds.
Reliability
moderate
Gust Factor
Light gusts
Best Months
June, July, August, September
Shadow Zones
The point can provide some shelter from North winds.

Water & beach

Water Type
Ocean
Beach
Mixed — Conflicting spot-level descriptions: rocks vs sand.
Beach Size
Tidal
Waves
Big — Surf can hold significant size.
Launch
Medium — Beach launch from wide sandy area (described as moderate launch difficulty).
Launch Difficulty
Moderate

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
26–30 °C
Water Temperature
28–33 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: rash guard or 2mm shorty
Crowds by Season

Generally very low crowds throughout the year.

Storm/Rain Season

June to October

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed point/river-mouth surf with consistent, often hollow waves on southern swells; typically produces left- or right-hand waves depending on the described take.

Point breakRiver mouth
Wave Direction
Left
Optimal Swell
SSW
Swell Height
1.5–3 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — One source indicates mid tide as optimal; another emphasizes summer reliability without a specific tide call.
Shelter
Exposed
Wind Effect
Best with offshore northeast winds; wind from the northeast is described as offshore.
Bigger Swell
Holds significant size and can become very hollow; on bigger swell it remains powerful and hollow.
Wave Quality
Excellent — Wave quality described as excellent/good.
Wave Power
Powerful
Wave Shape
Barreling — Often described as hollow/barreling with peaky barrels.
Peel Speed
Fast
Ride Length
Medium
Ride Length Details
Peaky hollow barrels; long rights peeling off a sandbar formed by the river mouth.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Punta Colorada in the full forecast view.

Punta Colorada wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–9 ktsGusts 17 kts
Direction
W261°
Strongest day
Tue, Oct 279 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
1.2–2.0 m10s period
Temperature
23–31 °C

Over the next 7 days, Punta Colorada is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 1.2–2.0 m with a period of about 10s. 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
  • crocodiles near the river mouth
  • strong rip currents and drift near the river mouth
  • river debris after heavy rains
Ability Level: Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
LeashWetsuit

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No dedicated local water rescue or coastguard station within the village (self-sufficiency recommended).
Emergency Info
Nearest major medical facilities are several hours away (group baseline: significant medical facilities in Ometepec about 1.5–2 hours away); emergency number: 911.
Localism / Vibe
Mild

Rules of the spot

Avoid going in alone; the river mouth area can be dangerous due to predators and strong currents.

Restrictions
  • Pollution from sewage overflow
Local Tips
  • Avoid surfing alone due to predators and heavy currents.
  • The river mouth can be murky after rain.
  • Turtle release opportunities may be available; enjoy the sunsets.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Cuajinicuilapa
Nearest Town
Punta Maldonado
Nearest Airport
Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM)
Parking
Informal parking available near the beach access.
Public Transport
Limited road access; mainly by private vehicle or local colectivo taxis from Cuajinicuilapa.
Access
Access is via a dirt road from Punta Maldonado; informal parking near the beach access.
Cost Level
Budget
Local Language
Spanish
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Accommodation
Near — Basic guesthouses and rustic accommodation in Punta Maldonado.
Food & Drink
Small local seafood shacks in the nearby village.
Equipment Rental:
No specialized surf rentals available on site.
Gear Storage
Dedicated gear storage facilities are unavailable.
Gear Repair
No specialized surf or water-sports repair services mentioned locally.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

A quiet, rugged coastal area associated with local fishing culture and nearby points of interest.

Best time to visit: November to April for drier weather and pleasant temperatures (group baseline).
El Faro (Punta Maldonado Lighthouse)0 km

Historic lighthouse offering panoramic views of the rugged coastline.

Deep Sea Fishing0 km

Local panga boat trips for catching lobster, red snapper, and other species.

Local Seafood Ramadas0.5 km

Rustic beachside eateries known for fresh seafood.

Turtle Nesting Observation2 km

Seasonal opportunities to observe sea turtles nesting on remote beaches nearby.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Punta Colorada?

The best overall months at Punta Colorada are May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are June, July, August, September.

Which wind directions work at Punta Colorada?

Punta Colorada works with NE winds. Offshore directions are NE.

What skill level is Punta Colorada suitable for?

Punta Colorada suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.