Zepotonengo (Oaxaca)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Zepotonengo is an exposed sandy beach break on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca with generally consistent surf. It primarily works when southern to south-southwesterly / southwesterly swell fills in, and the break can produce both left and right waves. Conditions are often favored in summer (April through October), with November highlighted as a key month for cleaner surf. The beach is sandy with a wide, open launch area and generally easy beach access. Water quality is described as clear/clean. Depth transitions from shallow nearshore to deeper water over a short distance, and shore break is reported as moderate. Although one source reports mild shore drift and no strong rip currents, another notes rip currents and strong undertow typical of an exposed coastline—so conditions should be treated as potentially current-prone. Wind is most favorable with an offshore north component. Surf conditions are reported with a steady wind regime and notable proportions of “clean” vs “blown” months (with the wind statistics used in the surf guide). One source also notes that offshore winds can groom the surf, improving wave quality. Safety is the highest priority: sharks are consistently listed as a hazard, and the guidance is not to swim. There are no lifeguards and no dedicated on-site rescue reported; emergency response relies on regional services accessible by road. Bring necessary supplies due to the beach’s remoteness and keep an eye on tide/sandbar changes after larger swells.
- Exposed beach break with relatively consistent surf
- Best swell window centers on south-southwest/southwest
- Offshore north winds help groom waves
- Warm water year-round
- Shark hazard; no swimming
- Exposed beach break with generally consistent surf
- Works well with south-southwest / southwest swell
- Warm water year-round; surfing often possible without heavy wetsuits
- Shark hazard; no swimming allowed
- Exposed location can mean less forgiving conditions
- Currents/rip currents and strong undertow reported
- Often sometimes crowded, especially in summer
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Offshore directions
- N
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind influenced conditions reported, with offshore north component.
- Reliability
- moderate (also reported as 35% blown / 63% clean in surf conditions)
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady winds reported (also described as light gusts by another source).
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Small — Open sandy beach; easy self-launch reported by one source, moderate by another.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch difficulty described as easy by one source and moderate by another.
Through the year
Generally sometimes crowded; more visitors in summer and during peak holiday periods.
June to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed sandy beach break with consistent groundswells working from the south-southwest/Southwest; offers both left and right waves.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Also reported to work across all tides; mid tide noted as optimal by one source.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the north provide cleaner, more groomed conditions; best with north offshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well; no reef to limit swell reported.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good by one source; average by another.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — One source describes peeling; another describes mixed shape.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Medium peeling described.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length described as medium; peaks vary across the beach due to sandbars.
- Ride Length Details
- Variable peaks across the beach depending on sandbar formation.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Zepotonengo (Oaxaca) in the full forecast view.
Zepotonengo (Oaxaca) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–7 ktsGusts 15 kts
- Direction
- SW222°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 267 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–1.5 m11s period
- Temperature
- 24–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Zepotonengo (Oaxaca) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 15 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 1.2–1.5 m with a period of about 11s. 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
- sharks
- rip currents
- strong undertow
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated on-site rescue reported.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital mentioned in Puerto Escondido; emergency number 911; regional emergency services accessible via road.
Rules of the spot
Avoid swimming due to shark hazard; follow general surf etiquette (no designated zones reported).
- No swimming due to shark hazard
- Avoid swimming due to shark risk.
- Surf at high tide for better depth.
- Check swell direction (south-southwest optimum).
- Keep an eye on the tide because sandbars can shift after large swells.
- The beach can be remote—bring necessary supplies and water.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Puerto Escondido
- Nearest Town
- Mazunte
- Parking
- Informal/unregulated roadside parking near beach access; no official lot.
- Public Transport
- Limited; accessed via dirt track from the main coastal road (regional transport noted generally in the wider area).
- Access
- Beach access via local paths in the Tahueca/Oaxaca region (roadside unregulated parking reported near beach access).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Basic eco-cabins and guesthouses in nearby Mazunte and San Agustinillo (also noted generally as nearby rustic accommodations).
- Food & Drink
- Limited options on-site; more variety available in neighboring towns.
- Equipment Rental:
- Not reported as available for this spot; very limited rental in the broader area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A low-key, eco-tourism–friendly coastal area near Oaxaca’s Pacific beaches, with biodiversity-focused activities and small-town coastal culture.
National turtle center focused on conservation and education in Mazunte.
Lagoon tours to see crocodiles, iguanas, and diverse birdlife in the mangroves.
A designated 'Magical Town' known for its alternative lifestyle, yoga communities, and natural cosmetics factory.
Boat tours departing from nearby Puerto Ángel to view migrating whales (winter months).
Traditional beachfront thatch-roof restaurants serving fresh seafood and Oaxacan specialties.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Zepotonengo (Oaxaca)?
The best overall months at Zepotonengo (Oaxaca) are April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Zepotonengo (Oaxaca)?
Zepotonengo (Oaxaca) works with N winds. Offshore directions are N.
What skill level is Zepotonengo (Oaxaca) suitable for?
Zepotonengo (Oaxaca) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.