A long right-hand point in Punta de Mita, El Faro wraps a W or NW swell around the headland into Bahia de Banderas, delivering multi-section rides up to 300m on a good day. Optimal conditions are a solid W swell at 6-10ft, lower tide, and the prevailing N or NW wind blowing directly offshore. The point was bought by the Four Seasons Resort, so direct land access is blocked and reaching the lineup requires a lengthy walk, a paddle, or hiring a panga from the fishermen's cooperative at El Anclote harbour. That access friction keeps the crowd light even on weekends, but this is an experienced surfer's wave: fast, sectiony rights that demand commitment as size increases. Bottom: reef/point. Season: consistent from late summer through winter swell season. Consistency: medium. Arrive by panga from Anclote to save energy for the surf, and give yourself time to read the multiple sections before committing to the inside.
Four Seasons ownership of the point land has inadvertently become a crowd filter. The access effort, panga hire, or long paddle deters casual surfers, leaving the lineup relatively empty even on weekends. That said, the resort context means unfamiliar faces can attract scrutiny. Respect the locals who make the effort and keep noise in the lineup low.
Head to El Anclote beach in Corral del Risco, where pangeros at the small fishermen's cooperative will run you out to the point. There are no facilities at the break itself. El Anclote has food and services close to the harbour. No pollution or hazard concerns flagged beyond the reef bottom and increasing power at size.
When El Faro is maxed out or the swell is too small, El Anclote's right-hand reefbreak to the west offers mellow longboard walls on smaller days. The Cove nearby is a fast, sectiony right that lines up well in NW swell when El Faro isn't connecting.
Forecast by Windy.app
