Revolcadero
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Revolcadero is a sandy beach break in Acapulco known for punchy, powerful surf and a very consistent season. Waves are described as often peaky and muscular, with right and left options, and the break is stated to work on all tides. Conditions are frequently best when the offshore side is favored in the morning; spot notes describe early-morning winds as cleaner/offshore-leaning, while afternoon sea breeze tends to make things less ideal. Reported wind ranges vary by source, but the overall pattern is that wind can be lighter earlier and more onshore later. For performance, the spot can hold substantial swell—sources describe surf starting at under 1m (about 3ft) and building up to around 5m (16ft) while still breaking on the beach. Typical rides are generally short and punchy, though longer “good day” sessions are also mentioned. On better days, barrels/very hollow sections can appear in pockets, but the mix of heavy shorebreak and fast sections means conditions demand respect. Safety is a major theme here: the shorebreak is described as famously heavy (“board snapper”), with strong rip currents common during larger swells. Hazards reported include sharks, stingrays in shallow water, and pollution/debris after heavy rains. Local guidance emphasizes avoiding turning your back to the ocean, being extremely cautious in the impact zone, and avoiding river outlets after storms due to water-quality concerns.
- Very consistent surf frequency (reported ~150 days/year)
- Sandy-bottom beach break; works on all tides
- Powerful waves that can hold up to ~5m (16ft)
- Warm tropical water year-round
- Very consistent surf (very consistent frequency reported around 150 days/year)
- Sandy-bottom beach break with good wave quality
- Works on all tides
- Wide, sandy beach area with space for board preparation
- Famous heavy shorebreak that can be dangerous for beginners
- Strong rip currents are common, especially on larger swells
- Water quality can be affected after heavy rainfall
- Afternoon sea breeze can degrade wind/wave conditions
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, W
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 5–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sources describe an afternoon sea-breeze pattern with switching offshore/onshore behavior; spot-level providers also note light offshore winds in the morning and gentler onshore/side-onshore sea breeze by mid-afternoon.
- Reliability
- low (for wind sports); moderate for general surfing conditions depending on the day
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Described as light gusts during the sea-breeze/thermal window.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Buildings and high-rise hotels in the Acapulco Diamante area can create minor turbulence close to the shore.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Low-profile sandy beach break.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Working swell can start under 1m (about 3ft) and build up to around 5m (16ft) with heavy shorebreak on larger sets.
- Launch
- Medium — Spot-level sources describe an easy self-launch with a very wide open sandy beach and space for board prep.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch area can be easy for entry, but sources also describe overall launch difficulty as moderate.
Through the year
Moderate year-round; weekends are busier with domestic tourists.
June to October (rainy season).
By sport
What to expect for each.
A sandy-bottom beach break with powerful, often peaky waves. Works on all tides and is known for being open to the ocean (exposed).
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW, W
- Swell Height
- 0.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Listed as all tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open to the ocean; beach break operates with minimal protection.
- Wind Effect
- Best with light offshore (NE) winds in the morning; degrades with afternoon sea breezes. North to northeast winds are described as the spot’s wind effect.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well up to about 5m (16ft), but becomes very heavy and challenging with massive shorebreak close to the sand.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Described as good and a regional classic.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful, often peaky beach break; can produce heavy shorebreak.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Mixed shapes with occasional hollow/barrel-like sections on the right sandbars.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Often described as punchy/peely with fast sections.
- Ride Length
- Short — Typically short, punchy rides.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal length commonly described as short (<50m) with some sources indicating longer good-day lengths; typical rides can range from about 30–100m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Revolcadero in the full forecast view.
Revolcadero wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–10 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- WSW239°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2810 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–2.0 m10s period
- Temperature
- 25–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Revolcadero is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 1.3–2.0 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
- Heavy shorebreak ('board snapper')
- Strong rip currents (especially during larger swells)
- Sharks
- Pollution after heavy rainfall
- Turning your back to the ocean
- Stingrays in shallow water
- Occasional debris
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are seasonal on major tourist beaches.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is limited; lifeguard services are provided by local Civil Protection and Navy (SEMAR) on major tourist beaches.
- Emergency Info
- Hospitals are located in Acapulco city center (about 20–30 minutes away).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Local vibe described as mellow, with mild localism.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies. Stay clear of designated swimming areas in front of major hotels.
- Avoid surfing near river outlets after storms due to water quality concerns.
- Avoid designated swimming areas in front of major hotels.
- Avoid turning your back to the ocean.
- Early mornings often offer the cleanest conditions before the sea breeze kicks in.
- Be extremely cautious of the shorebreak; it is notoriously powerful and can cause injuries to the neck and back.
- Avoid surfing near river outlets after storms due to water quality concerns.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Acapulco
- Nearest Town
- Acapulco
- Parking
- Limited public parking is available along the access roads; many visitors use hotel or restaurant parking.
- Access
- Accessible via Costera de las Palmas. Most surfers access the beach through public paths between hotels or via beach clubs. Can be difficult due to exclusive resorts stretching across the beach; instant access (<5min walking) from nearby hotels in Punta Diamante/Granjas del Marques.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous high-end hotels and resorts are located directly on the beach, particularly in the Diamante district; extensive accommodation options across Acapulco.
- Food & Drink
- Plentiful beach clubs and seafood restaurants (enramadas) line the coast.
- Equipment Rental:
- Some beach clubs offer surfboard rentals; professional surf shops are more common in the main Acapulco bay area.
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 Revolcadero?
The best overall months at Revolcadero are June, July, August, September, October, November. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Revolcadero?
Revolcadero works with SW, W winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What skill level is Revolcadero suitable for?
Revolcadero suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.