Tenexpa
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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
- 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.
- 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.
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
Sometimes crowded; generally quiet outside weekends/holidays (per enrichment).
June to October (can affect road access and increase river debris).
By sport
What to expect for each.
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.
- 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.
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.
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
- Rip currents common near the river mouth
- Strong shore break
- Occasional driftwood and debris near the river mouth after heavy rains
- Isolated beach location
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
- 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
What's on the beach
- 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.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
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.
Large coastal lagoon system rich in biodiversity and birdlife, ideal for boat tours.
Traditional Mexican town known for its historical role in the Mexican War of Independence.
Local charters for sailfish and marlin.
Open-air traditional restaurants serving fresh local seafood.
Local conservation groups often organize turtle hatchling releases during the nesting season.
From riders who've been here
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.