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THE SURF
The state of Nayarit, if you know where to look, has some of Mainland Mexico's best surf. There are 2 distinct surf seasons: Winter season (November-March), and Summer season (April-October). San Pancho is conveniently located within 1 hour of all of the areas best surf, all of it accessible by combination of overland transport as well as pangas and/or speedboat. Expeditions are led by keen local surf / fishermen guides. Most of the areas around San Pancho are UNCROWDED. This is due to several factors, the lack of any city or town based locals, and inaccessibility, many spots requiring boats and local knowledge to access. |
The winter surf season enjoys great conditions: light or offshore winds mostly, sunny, not too hot, around 76-82F air temps, water temps 75-78F. The best surf in winter is found around Punta de Mita and inside the Bay of Banderas on the sheltered reefs such as Burros, Playa La Lancha, and El Faro, where W and NW swells wrap in and create lined up perfection, ranging from slow peeling waves for 75-100yards on smaller swells to hollow, barreling waves that will get your heart pumping on medium to large swells. The rights are particularly good this time of year. Surf during this time of year can be anywhere from 2ft-10ft+ depending on swell conditions. Recommended quiver is a longboard or fish, a thruster, and potentially a mini-gun. The fact is, the conditions can be often small and perfect, often medium and semi-juicy, and sometimes big and scary. About 40% of the time it is small (2-4ft), 50% of the time it is medium (4-7ft), and about 10% of the time it is big (8ft+) On a big true W swell there are offshore reef breaks that can go 2-3 times overhead, although admittedly this is somewhat rare and there are only about 5 of these swells on average each season. If you're lucky enough to get one of these, you'll have the waves of your life! Otherwise, count on generally fun waves, and at the minimum, great longboarding if it stays on the small side. |
