Best time to surf Salina Cruz
The best time to surf at Salina Cruz is April–October, the known surf season, with water around 30°C.
Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, Mexico
Sports: Surfing
Best time to go: April–October
Salina Cruz is a port city on the Gulf of Tehuantepec in south-eastern Oaxaca, on Mexico's Pacific coast. The surrounding coastline faces south and has a series of sandy points and river mouths where south and south-west swells wrap and peel as long, fast right-handers. Many surfers base themselves in or near the city and travel to the points along the coast.
The swell season runs from about April to October, when southern hemisphere groundswells and tropical storms reach the coast. A special feature is the strong north wind that blows across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, which is offshore at the points and grooms the waves but can be very strong and make paddling hard. The waves suit intermediate and advanced surfers. Many points are remote, and access often crosses private or community land, so check local rules and access before you go. There are no lifeguards. The water is warm, about 28 to 30 °C, so boardshorts or a light top are enough, and sun protection is important.
Month by month at Salina Cruz
- January: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 26°C, air 31°C (nights 22°C), 31 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- February: 14 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 25°C, air 32°C (nights 22°C), 28 sunny days, 2 rainy days
- March: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 27°C, air 33°C (nights 23°C), 31 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- April: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 28°C, air 34°C (nights 25°C), 30 sunny days, 2 rainy days
- May: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 30°C, air 34°C (nights 26°C), 30 sunny days, 6 rainy days
- June: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 31°C, air 32°C (nights 25°C), 27 sunny days, 18 rainy days
- July: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 30°C, air 35°C (nights 26°C), 30 sunny days, 13 rainy days
- August: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 30°C, air 36°C (nights 26°C), 31 sunny days, 14 rainy days
- September: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 31°C, air 34°C (nights 25°C), 28 sunny days, 18 rainy days
- October: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 29°C, air 33°C (nights 25°C), 29 sunny days, 11 rainy days
- November: 12 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 27°C, air 33°C (nights 24°C), 30 sunny days, 3 rainy days
- December: 18 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 14 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 25°C, air 32°C (nights 24°C), 31 sunny days, 0 rainy days
Surfing in Mexico: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
When is the best time to go surfing at Salina Cruz?
April–October, the known surf season (when the swell direction and winds suit this spot).
How warm is the water at Salina Cruz?
25°C to 31°C over the year: boardshorts, no wetsuit needed in the warmest month, a shorty or lycra in the coolest.
How windy is Salina Cruz?
About 95 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in December.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Salina Cruz
- Barra de la Cruz (82 km)
- Puerto Escondido – Zicatela (193 km)
More: All spots in Mexico · Surfing in Mexico
Compare with: Puerto Escondido – Zicatela vs Salina Cruz · Barra de la Cruz vs Salina Cruz