Zicatela.
Zicatela is the long beach south-east of Puerto Escondido on Mexico's Oaxaca coast, nicknamed the Mexican Pipeline because its wave resembles Oahu's in power and shape. Wikipedia describes a beach about four kilometres long and says the area is a surfers' beach with large waves. It is a sand-bottomed beach break rather than a reef, so the reef risks of Hawaii are replaced by fast, heavy waves, strong rips and unpredictable banks. For visitors, the right question is whether to surf Zicatela on a given day, and the honest answer is usually to watch first.
Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/reyperezoso/ · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons- Level
- Expert
- Direction and bottom
- Both · Sand
- Best swell
- SSW groundswell
- Best wind
- NE offshore
- Best tide
- Mid, varies with the banks
- Best months
- May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
- Size
- Shoulder-high to well overhead; thick, fast and hollow
- Hazards
- Powerful shorebreak, Strong rips, Sharks noted by Surf-Forecast, Crowds, Hot sun and dehydration
A wave built on sand and swell
Surf-Forecast classes Zicatela as an exposed beach break with lefts and rights, rated five out of ten and fairly consistent. It tends to receive distant groundswells, with the best direction south-south-west. These swells travel a long way across the Pacific and arrive at a steep beach, where the water depth drops quickly and the waves rise sharply. The result is a thick lip that can throw a barrel with great force.
Because the banks move, the peaks shift along the beach from one season to the next. The most consistent sections tend to form near the southern end of the beach, close to La Punta, which Surf-Forecast lists as a point break about two kilometres away. The wave can close out when the swell is too big or the banks are poor, and it can produce excellent barrels when the sand is shaped well.
Seasons and conditions
The guide says that summer offers the favoured conditions, and Wikipedia agrees that mid-to-late summer is low season for tourism but prime time for waves. This is the period when large south and south-west swells arrive. The statistics on Surf-Forecast point to November as a consistently clean month, with clean waves about 54 percent of the time and blown out conditions about 44 percent, so the autumn also has potential.
The best wind is north-east offshore, and mornings are normally cleaner than afternoons. Water temperature is about 29 degrees Celsius according to the page, so a rash vest or boardshorts is typical. The sun is strong, so carry water, wear sunscreen and avoid a long session in the midday heat.
Who should stay out
Zicatela is for confident, experienced surfers who can handle thick, fast waves and heavy hold-downs. Wikipedia notes that the beach has a strong rip current and is unsuitable for swimming, and the page for Surf-Forecast warns to beware of sharks. The shorebreak can be dangerous even for waders. Beginners and intermediate surfers should avoid the main break and use gentler options instead.
Wikipedia suggests Playa Marinero for beginners and Carrizalillo as a surfable cove open to the ocean. Carrizalillo has no vehicle road, and its footpath descends a steep slope via a rock stairway. Lifeguards are stationed on the beaches, and Wikipedia says about half are professional and half are volunteers. Follow their flags and guidance, and do not swim on days when red flags fly.
Getting there and watching
Surf-Forecast lists Puerto Escondido airport about five kilometres away and Huatulco airport about 85 kilometres away. Wikipedia says the airport has flights to several cities, including Mexico City, and that the bus from Oaxaca city takes about three to four hours, with a new superhighway opened in 2024 reducing the drive to around two and a half hours. Surf competitions are held every November as part of the Fiestas de Noviembre.
The beach is lined with restaurants and hostels, and a viewpoint at the southern end gives an excellent view of the waves. Watch from the sand or the cliffs, and stay well back from the shorebreak. Board rentals are available in the Zicatela tourist district, but check the condition of any board and make sure it suits the size of the surf.
Alternatives close by
Surf-Forecast lists La Punta, Puerto Escondido beach, Carrizalillo, Barra de Colotepec and Zepotonengo within about 35 kilometres. They vary from beginner-friendly beaches to point breaks. The Puerto Escondido destination guide covers the town, lessons and the best places to stay.
Beach conditions and practical tips
Zicatela is a long beach with restaurants, shops and hostels, so it is easy to arrive and be tempted into the water without preparing. Check the flag colours before you enter, ask the lifeguards about the safest area and never surf alone on a big day. Rent a board that suits the size of the surf, and consider a leash with a strong swivel. Sunscreen and hydration matter because the sun is strong and the humidity is high. In the evening the main strip is busy, but keep an eye on your belongings. Respect the local surfers who have grown up on the break.
The ocean off Puerto Escondido, by month
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swell, m | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Period, s | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 |
| Water, °C | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 |
Open-ocean ERA5 medians, not wave size at the break. Sources.
Questions about Zicatela
Why is Zicatela called the Mexican Pipeline?
Wikipedia says the wave is similar in power and shape to Oahu's Banzai Pipeline, although Zicatela breaks over sand rather than reef.
Can I swim at Zicatela?
Not safely on most days. Wikipedia says it has a strong rip current and is unsuitable for swimming.
When is the best time to surf?
Mid-to-late summer is prime time for waves, according to Wikipedia, with November also productive on Surf-Forecast's figures.
Is there an easier place nearby?
Playa Marinero is suggested for beginners, and Carrizalillo is a surfable cove, but both need local advice.
Where should beginners surf near Puerto Escondido?
Wikipedia suggests Playa Marinero for beginners and Carrizalillo as a surfable cove open to the ocean. Both need local advice, and Carrizalillo is reached by a steep rock stairway. Ask a school about the day's conditions and avoid the main Zicatela break until you are experienced.
Check a live forecast and local advice before paddling out. Heavy waves injure and kill experienced surfers.