Tenexpa

Surfing
Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Ocean, Chop
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Tenexpa is an exposed sandy beach break in West Guerrero that typically offers surf throughout the year. It is described as working at any time of day, with conditions that can be very clean in December. The break is open and exposed, so swell and wind often directly shape wave quality. For surfing, the wave character is consistently reported as moderate power with mixed peeling behavior. Swell direction is commonly given as southwest/south, and the spot is noted to work across all tide stages. Ride length is typically described as medium, with many sessions producing rides roughly in the 50–150 meter range depending on sandbar configuration. Wind can strongly affect the look of the surf. Offshore winds from the north to north-northeast are reported as creating cleaner waves, while afternoon Southwest winds can make conditions choppier due to the sea-breeze development. Mornings are often calmer/glassier before the breeze strengthens. Safety is a major focus at Tenexpa: rip currents are commonly reported—especially near Boca de Tenexpa (where a river meets the sea)—and occasional river-mouth debris (driftwood and other material) can appear after heavy rains. With no lifeguards or dedicated rescue services reported, riders should be self-sufficient and plan around offshore conditions that can complicate self-rescue. Crowding is described as occasional/sometimes crowded rather than consistently packed.

  • Exposed beach break with year-round wave availability
  • Cleanest surf conditions reported in December
  • Wide sandy beach and generally easy launch/setup area
  • Warm water; minimal wetsuit needs in most months
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboard
What's great
  • Exposed sandy beach break with waves year-round.
  • Cleanest conditions reported for December (high clean-day percentage).
  • Wide sandy beach with ample space for setup.
  • Generally warm water year-round; rash guard/very light protection usually sufficient.
Heads up
  • Offshore wind can create cleaner surf but makes self-rescue more challenging.
  • Strong rip currents near the river mouth are common.
  • Wind reliability for wind sports is generally low compared with surfing.
  • No lifeguards or dedicated rescue services reported.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
SW, W
Offshore directions
N, NNE
Wind Range
8–15 kts
Reliability
Low for wind sports; moderate for surfing (glassy mornings).
Best Months
December
Thermal Window
Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Dec, Jan, Feb · Dir: E · Afternoon sea-breeze pattern is typically active; commonly described as developing later in the day.

Water & beach

Water Type
Ocean, Chop
Beach
Sand — Wide sandy beach.
Beach Size
Big
Waves
Medium — Wave size described as medium overall.
Chop Level
Afternoon sea breeze can make waves choppy, especially with Southwest winds.
Launch
Big — Wide sandy beach with ample space for equipment.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
24–29 °C
Water Temperature
24–34 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: none (rash guard or ~1mm neoprene top is usually sufficient)
Crowds by Season

Sometimes crowded; generally quiet outside weekends/holidays (per enrichment).

Storm/Rain Season

June to October (can affect road access and increase river debris).

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed sandy beach break that usually has waves and works year-round. Often most clean in December, with medium wave power and mixed peeling/mushy-to-peeling character depending on swell and wind.

Beach break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
SW, S
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
All tides — Works across tide stages; no single tide-only window reported.
Shelter
Exposed — Open, exposed beach break with limited shelter.
Wind Effect
Best with offshore Northeast winds; afternoon Southwest winds can make it choppy. Offshore from north-northeast can create cleaner waves but increases self-rescue difficulty.
Bigger Swell
Can close out on very large swells, but often holds up to double overhead.
Wave Quality
Average — Good to average depending on wind/wave combination.
Wave Power
Moderate — Moderate power overall.
Wave Shape
Mixed — Peeling/mixed character reported depending on conditions.
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Medium — Typical ride length reported as 50–150 meters depending on sandbar configuration; sometimes referenced around ~100 m.
Typical Ride Length
50–150 m
Ride Length Details
Waves typically provide rides between 50 and 150 meters depending on sandbar configuration.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

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

Tenexpa wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–7 ktsGusts 17 kts
Direction
S170°
Strongest day
Sat, Oct 247 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
1.4–2.5 m10s period
Temperature
23–31 °C

Over the next 7 days, Tenexpa is forecast for daytime winds of 2–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 1.4–2.5 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

  • Rip currents common near the river mouth
  • Strong shore break
  • Occasional driftwood and debris near the river mouth after heavy rains
  • Isolated beach location
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
Leash

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguard presence reported.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No dedicated water rescue services reported for this rural coastal stretch.
Emergency Info
Nearest significant medical facilities are in Tecpan de Galeana or Zihuatanejo; use 911 for emergencies.

Rules of the spot

Local Tips
  • Mornings are usually glassy before the sea breeze picks up.
  • The area near Boca de Tenexpa (river mouth) can form better sandbanks, but currents are stronger there.
  • If offshore winds from the north northeast create cleaner waves, plan for self-rescue difficulty.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Tecpan de Galeana
Nearest Town
Tecpan de Galeana
Nearest Airport
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH)
Parking
Direct beach parking available near local restaurants.
Public Transport
Limited public bus service (colectivos) connects Tecpan to the coast; private vehicle recommended for transporting gear.
Access
Accessible via unpaved roads from the main highway; high-clearance vehicle recommended (not always necessary).
Cost Level
Budget
Local Language
Spanish
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Restaurant
Toilets
Accommodation
Near — Limited guesthouses/eco-lodging in Tecpan; many visitors base in Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa.
Food & Drink
Local beachfront restaurants (enramadas) serve fresh seafood and drinks.
Equipment Rental:
No specialized surf rental shops reported; bring your own gear.
Gear Storage
No gear storage reported.
Gear Repair
No professional repair services reported.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

An off-the-grid rural coast with wide sandy beaches and authentic food culture centered around seafood. Nearby lagoons and coastal areas support day trips and local touring.

Best time to visit: Dry season from December to April for the most pleasant weather.
Laguna de Tecpan5 km

Large coastal lagoon system rich in biodiversity and birdlife, ideal for boat tours.

Tecpan de Galeana15 km

Traditional Mexican town known for its historical role in the Mexican War of Independence.

Deep Sea Fishing10 km

Local charters for sailfish and marlin.

Beach Enramadas1 km

Open-air traditional restaurants serving fresh local seafood.

Sea Turtle Release5 km

Local conservation groups often organize turtle hatchling releases during the nesting season.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Tenexpa?

The best overall months at Tenexpa are December.

Which wind directions work at Tenexpa?

Tenexpa works with SW, W winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE.

What skill level is Tenexpa suitable for?

Tenexpa suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.