When it works
May to October is the main season: south and south-west
swell out of the southern hemisphere, warm water, and the biggest days of
the year when a hurricane is spinning offshore in late summer.
November to April runs smaller and cleaner on west and
north-west swell. Sayulita itself can go quiet; the points toward Punta de
Mita see those swells far better, which is when the drive is worth it.
The crowd
The main break is a teaching wave and it is genuinely packed most of the
day. Beginners have right of way over your ego. If you can surf, the lefts
or a short drive will give you more waves than jostling at the river
mouth.
First light is the quietest and usually the cleanest — the wind
tends to come up through the morning.
The year in Sayulita
November to April sits around 27°C and dry. Evenings
can be cool enough for a sweater, and the water is at its coolest.
June to October is hot and humid, averaging about 35°C,
with the rain usually arriving late afternoon or overnight and clearing the
air behind it. August and September are the wettest months, and the warmest
the sea gets all year.
Watch out for
After heavy rain the river runs out into the lineup and
the water quality drops. Give it a day or two.
Rocks and urchins at Burros and the edges of the points
— reef booties are not overcautious there.
Rips at San Pancho, especially on a bigger day. They will
move you a long way down the beach before you notice.
