Punta Gorda
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Punta Gorda is an exposed beach-and-point break in Guerrero near Petatlán, known for reasonably consistent surf across the year. It transitions from a rocky point into a sandy beach-break section, so conditions can vary across the lineup as swell/wind change. Surf is typically best when a South to Southwest swell combines with offshore North to North-Northeast winds. In that setup, riders can get peeling waves with generally good quality; wave sections may hold longer on the point, while the beach-break portion can become more sectiony if conditions are less favorable. The main safety concern is physical: exposed and submerged rocks along the point and takeoff, plus rip currents/strong currents. Large swells can reform on a shallow takeoff zone, so entry/approach deserves extra caution, and the spot’s remote access means you should be prepared for slower rescues. Crowds are often limited but can increase when a good swell lines up with weekends. The area is undeveloped at the beach itself—plan on bringing your own water and supplies, and expect unregulated dirt access/parking.
- Offshore North–Northeast wind direction can produce cleaner surf
- Peeling waves with good quality when South/Southwest swell runs
- Remote, undeveloped beach experience away from mainstream tourism
- Warm water year-round
- Consistent surf year-round with point/ beach-break sections
- Offshore North/NNE wind direction can provide cleaner surf
- Warm tropical water (generally comfortable for most of the year)
- Rocky hazards around takeoff and along the point
- Rip currents/strong currents possible
- Remote access via rough dirt roads (often requiring high-clearance/4x4)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE
- Wind Range
- 4.5–8.9 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Provider-reported: gradient regime. Regionally, afternoons favor a sea-breeze pattern (thermal) that can peak mid-to-late afternoon.
- Reliability
- low (provider-reported)
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Provider-reported gusts to about 11.2 mph.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec · Dir: W, NW · Regional pattern: typical sea-breeze development runs roughly from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach sections, with transitions to rocky/reef areas at the point.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — One source reports small surf; another reports medium—actual size can vary by swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach entry transitioning to a rocky point.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Provider: easy. Another provider describes moderate due to the rocky point transition—overall conditions depend on entry section.
Through the year
Generally quiet on weekdays; can become moderately crowded when a good swell coincides with weekends.
June to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach/point break with reasonably consistent surf. Best surf occurs when a South-southwest (South/Southwest) swell runs with offshore North/NNE winds; the break can transition from rocky point into a sand-beach section.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SSE, SSW, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides, Mid — Providers conflict slightly on tide preference; one reports all-tides, another reports mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed coastline/point exposure.
- Wind Effect
- North to North-Northeast winds provide cleaner offshore conditions; N-NE is best. Wind can affect how well sections hold across the beach-break section.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells, but may become sectiony or close out in the beach-break portion; large swells can reform on an often shallow takeoff zone.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Generally good wave quality when offshore wind aligns with the swell.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Generally moderate wave energy.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling, generally clean when winds are offshore.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling walls; provider-reported peel speed medium.
- Ride Length
- Short — Some sources describe short rides; other reports note long rides on good days.
- Ride Length Details
- Several small rides are possible; on good days, longer peeling rides can be available (reported up to ~150–200 meters).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Punta Gorda in the full forecast view.
Punta Gorda wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- SSE160°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 268 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.4–2.7 m10s period
- Temperature
- 24–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Punta Gorda is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 17 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
- Rip currents
- Submerged rocks
- Strong currents
- Sea urchins
- Remote/undeveloped access
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — Provider-reported no lifeguards.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated on-beach rescue described; local boats/surf communities may provide informal assistance.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facility is the General Hospital of Zihuatanejo; emergency number 911. Rescue handling for offshore situations is via Mexican Navy (SEMAR) from Zihuatanejo.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Provider-reported mild localism.
Rules of the spot
Take care of rocks and rip currents (and pay extra attention during swell reform on shallow takeoff).
- Watch out for rocks at takeoff and along the point.
- Access is through a bumpy dirt road (and can require 4x4/high-clearance, especially in wet periods).
- Large swells can reform on an often shallow take-off zone—approach carefully.
- Bring all your own water and supplies as the spot is undeveloped.
- It's sometimes crowded.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Zihuatanejo
- Nearest Town
- Petatlán
- Nearest Airport
- Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH)
- Parking
- Unregulated dirt parking area near the beach
- Public Transport
- Limited to local combis (minibuses) along Federal Highway 200, followed by taxi or private vehicle access to the coast.
- Access
- Accessible via unpaved dirt roads from the main highway; requires a high-clearance or 4x4 vehicle during the rainy season.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Limited boutique eco-lodges in Juluchuca; more options available in Zihuatanejo.
- Food & Drink
- None at the spot; small stores available in nearby Juluchuca.
- Equipment Rental:
- None; bring all your own gear.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
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Known for sailfish and marlin fishing.
A modern surf-culture hub for coffee, food, and music.
A calm lagoon suited to kayaking and bird watching near the ocean.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Punta Gorda?
The best overall months at Punta Gorda are July, August, September, October. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Punta Gorda?
Punta Gorda works with N, NNE winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE.
What skill level is Punta Gorda suitable for?
Punta Gorda suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.