A fast, tubing right peels off a sandbar beside the rivermouth jetty at Chacahua, buried deep inside Oaxaca's coastal lagoon system and earned by a genuine commitment to getting there. S swells are the bread and butter, with huge W-NW swells also delivering, though the wave struggles to hold anything above 8ft. NW offshore winds clean it up. Low to mid tide is optimal. The access alone filters the crowd: a bus to Rio Grande, a lancha across the lagoon, and a camioneta on the far side. Intermediate surfers will find the most reward. Bottom: sand over jetty structure. Season: S swell season, May through September. Consistency: medium. Strong lagoon rips are a real hazard, locals are described as aggressive, and reports of theft and robbery have circulated, so travel light and keep your spanish ready.
Weekend crowds can spike to ultra-crowded despite the access barrier, likely locals who know the logistics. Aggressive locals are documented in multiple sources. Approach respectfully, speak Spanish if you can, and don't paddle straight to the peak without reading the lineup. Dawn arrivals via the early morning lancha schedule reduce friction.
Bus to Rio Grande, collectivo taxi to the lagoon shore, then a lancha (50 pesos) across to the far side where a camioneta may be waiting. Groups can charter a boat for around $50. First lancha of the day leaves very early. No bars, no formal facilities, basic cabana accommodation available. Estuary water quality is a concern. Pack food, water, and anything you need.
Puerto Escondido's beach peaks at Zicatela are a few hours east and offer consistent, powerful surf across skill levels. La Punta delivers mellower lefts when Zicatela is maxing out. Colotepec, east of Puerto, is another rivermouth beachbreak worth checking on the drive.
Forecast by Windy.app
