All the Surf Breaks of Punta Mita, Mapped

Costa · Local guide to the Mexican Pacific coast · Updated October 2026

Punta Mita has at least six named surf breaks within a few kilometers: El Anclote and Stinky's for beginners and longboards, La Lancha for all levels, and Punta Burros, La Bahia and El Faro for intermediate and advanced surfers. The headland faces north, west and south, so something is usually working in every season.

The breaks at a glance

Punta Mita sits at the northern tip of Banderas Bay and catches swell from a wide window. Surf guides describe a swell window of well over 180 degrees, which is why different breaks come alive in winter and in summer.

The table below combines what several surf guides report. Where guides disagree, we say so in the individual break guides.

Break	Wave	Best for	How you get there
El Anclote	Mellow right, point or reef depending on the guide	Beginners, longboards	Walk from the main beach in Punta de Mita village
Stinky's	Slow, long right point	Beginners, longboards, SUP	Walk, next to the local jetty
La Lancha	Reef and point, rights and lefts	All levels	Hike from the beach or ask locally
Punta Burros	Hollow right-hand reef wedge	Intermediate to advanced	Walk through forest; exposed reef
La Bahia	Outer reef, wedging rights and lefts	Intermediate to advanced	Boat from the harbor
El Faro (the lighthouse)	Right-hand point over uneven reef	Intermediate	Long walk, paddle or boat; access is guarded
Palmitas	Punchy sandbar beach break	Experienced shortboarders	Short hike from La Lancha

How to read the map

Think of the breaks in three groups. The village breaks, El Anclote and Stinky's, are the gentle ones, close together and easy to reach. La Lancha is the middle ground, with a beginner wave and an intermediate wedge in the same bay. Punta Burros, La Bahia and El Faro are the committed waves, over reef, and two of them need a boat or a long approach.

Guides report that Punta Mita surfs all year, though winter tends to bring cleaner, smaller northwest swells that suit beginners and intermediates, and summer brings larger south and southwest swell that favors the more demanding breaks.

Winter (roughly November to March): smaller, cleaner waves on many breaks, best time for learning.
Summer (roughly April to September): bigger southern swell, heavier waves, strong sun.
Always check the forecast and ask a local before paddling out; conditions change by the day.

Staying close to the waves

Villas inside the gated communities of Punta Mita put you within a short drive of most of these breaks, and a private driver or golf cart can handle the rest. Costa can tell you which villas are best placed for the break you care about.

Who this is not for

If you want a surf town with a lineup at the end of every street and board shops on the main road, Sayulita is a better fit. Punta Mita suits surfers who want quiet mornings and a private base, not a surf-town scene.

Tell Costa your dates and who surfs in your group in the chat, and we will match you with villas that fit.

Questions people ask

How many surf breaks are there in Punta Mita?

Guides name six or more breaks within a few kilometers of Punta de Mita village: El Anclote, Stinky's, La Lancha, Punta Burros, La Bahia, El Faro and Palmitas, plus others that work only on certain swells.

Which Punta Mita break is best for beginners?

El Anclote and Stinky's are described as the gentlest, with slow rights that suit longboards. La Lancha also has a short beach wave used for lessons.

Which break is the most consistent?

Surf guides describe La Bahia, the outer reef, as the most consistent spot in Punta Mita, but it is not a beginner wave and needs a boat.

Is Punta Mita good for surfing all year?

Guides say there is usually something working year round. Winter is gentler and cleaner on many breaks, while summer swell is bigger and heavier.

Do I need a boat to surf in Punta Mita?

Only for some breaks. La Bahia is reached by boat from the harbor, and El Faro is reached by boat or a long walk and paddle. The village breaks and La Lancha are reached on foot.

What are the main hazards?

Shallow reef, rocks and sea urchins are mentioned for several breaks, plus strong sun. Wear reef-safe sun protection and ask locally about tide and entry points.

Can non-surfers in my group enjoy it too?

Yes. The same coast offers calm swimming beaches, boat days, golf and spa time, so a mixed group works well.

Have a specific question? Ask me in the chat.

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Sources: The Surf Atlas: Punta Mita · Live Punta Mita: Surfing in Punta de Mita · Surf-Forecast: Punta De Mita · Surf-Forecast: Burros · Surfnerd: La Lancha · Surfnerd: El Faro · Surfnerd: Punta Mita. Details as published and checked in October 2026; dates, seasons and conditions can change.