“When is the best time to surf here?” is the question we get more than any other.
The honest answer is that it depends on who is asking. Someone who has never stood on a board and someone who has been surfing for ten years are looking for completely different waves, and this coast delivers both, just in different months.
Here is how the surf seasons work north of Puerto Vallarta, and how to pick the right one for you.
The short answer
There is surf near Puerto Vallarta every month of the year. What changes is the kind of wave, and who it suits.
- November to April — smaller, friendlier waves, dry sunny days, slightly cooler water. The easiest months to learn.
- May to October — the bigger, more powerful swells, bath-warm water, afternoon storms and quieter beaches. The months experienced surfers wait for.
Everything else is detail, and the details are worth knowing if you are planning a trip around the water.
Where the waves come from
Banderas Bay itself is too sheltered to surf most days. The waves are on the open coast north of the city — Punta de Mita, Playa La Lancha, Sayulita — about 45 minutes to an hour away, where the coastline is exposed to the open Pacific.
That coast picks up swell from two directions, and each one has its season:
- North-west swells come from winter storms in the North Pacific. They arrive from roughly November to March, usually small to medium in size, and they are the reason Sayulita is busy with surfers all winter.
- South and south-west swells travel up from the Southern Hemisphere and from tropical systems off the Mexican coast. They run from roughly May to October and bring the longest, strongest waves of the year.
Punta de Mita has breaks pointing in several directions, which is why there is almost always somewhere working — the trick is knowing which beach to drive to on which morning.
Winter and spring: the season for learning
If you have never stood on a board, November to April is the easiest time to do it. The waves are generally smaller and more predictable, the rains are over, and the mornings are clear and calm.
The water cools down a little — still warm enough for most people to surf in board shorts or a swimsuit, though in January and February some prefer a rash guard or a thin top for a long session. Compared with almost anywhere else people learn to surf, it is still tropical.
The trade-off is company. This is high season, Sayulita fills up, and the line-up on a sunny Saturday can feel crowded. That is one reason we take beginners to Playa La Lancha: you reach it on foot through the jungle, so it stays quieter than the town beaches.
And from December to March there is a bonus most surf destinations cannot offer: humpback whales in the bay. Sitting on a board waiting for a set while one breaches offshore is not guaranteed, but it happens.
Summer and autumn: the season for waves
From May onwards the south swells start to arrive, and through the summer the coast gets its most consistent and powerful surf. The water reaches 29–30 °C and there is no question of a wetsuit. The tourist crowds thin out and the line-ups follow.
This is the season for surfers who already know what they are doing, or for anyone who has had a few lessons and wants to progress. On bigger days the beginner spots can still be found, but they need choosing more carefully.
Two things come with it:
- Afternoon storms. June to October is the green season. Rain usually builds after midday, so the morning session is the one to plan around.
- Hurricane season. It officially runs from June to November, peaking in September and October. A distant storm can send excellent waves, and a close one means staying out of the water entirely. We watch the forecast every day and reschedule when a session isn't safe.
Right now: the change of season
Mid-October to early November is a transition, and a good one. The last south swells are still arriving, the first north-west swells are starting, the rain is fading and the crowds have not yet come back. The water is still at its warmest.
If your dates are flexible and you want a bit of everything, this is a very good few weeks to be here.
Whatever the month: surf in the morning
Across the whole year the same rule holds. Mornings are usually glassy and calm; by early afternoon the sea breeze tends to pick up and chop up the surface. Our lessons start early for exactly that reason — it is not just about the heat.
So when should you come?
- First time on a board: November to April, at La Lancha or Sayulita. Gentle waves, dry weather.
- A few lessons behind you: either season works, but May to October will push you further.
- Experienced surfer: summer and early autumn, with a flexible schedule to chase the swell.
- Travelling with a mixed group: winter, when there is something for the beginners and the experienced ones can still find a wave.
Whatever you choose, a package of several lessons lets your instructor match each session to the conditions of that day, instead of hoping your one booked morning is the right one. You can also go straight to a single private lesson in Sayulita.
Not sure which week to book? Send us a message with your dates. We check the swell every day anyway.
