Surf spot

Playa Novillero

Forecast conditions and map view for Playa Novillero in Mexico, Sinaloa-Nayarit. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Mexico, Sinaloa-Nayarit
Coordinates: 22.3781, -105.6868

Metric
Metric	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00
Wave height (m)	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5
Wave direction	SW	SW	SW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW
Wave period (s)	11	10.6	10.4	10.7	10.6	10.5	10.4	10.4	10.3	10.3	10.1	9.8	9.6	9.2	8.8	8.7	8.7	9.2	8.3	7.7	9.9	11.7	15.2	14.8	14.4	14.2	13.6	12.8	12.5	12.5	12.4	12.3	12.3	12.3	11.9	11.8	11.8	11.7	11.8	11.7	11.7	11.6	11.4	11.1	10.8	10.5	10.4	10.3	10.3	10.2	10.1	10.1	10	9.9	9.8	9.8
Wave energy (kJ)	125	109	101	87	75	74	73	68	62	57	55	44	42	32	27	27	24	27	22	19	32	44	82	93	96	109	124	134	136	153	151	158	157	157	156	159	161	158	151	142	142	138	128	114	102	96	95	88	81	79	68	68	63	57	52	51
Wind speed (km/h)	4.8	4.5	4.3	9.4	18.4	15.1	5	5.5	4.1	5.4	4.6	10.5	15	11.2	5.4	3.3	9.2	3.2	4.8	3.7	16.5	12.3	2.2	6.4	6.2	6.1	4.6	7.2	14.2	11.2	3	6.2	5.4	5.4	2.2	7.2	17.4	13.2	6.4	0.5	4.9	3	3.1	4.1	17.6	12.8	7.3	1.8	5.8	4.3	3.6	8	18.4	14	11.3	5.1
Wind direction	ENEGlassy	ENEGlassy	NEGlassy	WOnshore	WOnshore	WNWCross-on	WNWOnshore	ESEOffshore	SEGlassy	EOffshore	NNEGlassy	WSWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	NWCross-on	EGlassy	SECross-off	ESEGlassy	NNEGlassy	WGlassy	WOnshore	WNWOnshore	WGlassy	NECross-off	EOffshore	NNECross-off	NNEGlassy	NWCross-on	WNWOnshore	NWCross-on	NNWGlassy	NECross-off	NCross	NCross	EGlassy	WOnshore	WOnshore	WNWOnshore	NWCross-on	SWGlassy	NEGlassy	NNEGlassy	NEGlassy	SWGlassy	WOnshore	WNWOnshore	WNWCross-on	EGlassy	ESEOffshore	EGlassy	EGlassy	WSWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WNWOnshore	NCross	NWCross-on

Playa Novillero is a long, wide beach on Mexico’s Pacific coast, near the border of Sinaloa and Nayarit, known more for its vast open shoreline than for heavy, powerful surf. It’s one of the longest beaches in Mexico, with a huge stretch of sand, a laid-back atmosphere, and relatively low crowds.

Surf conditions

Wave type: Mostly beachbreak
Size: Usually small to moderate, though it can pick up during swell events
Shape: Often soft and mellow, with long, rolling waves rather than steep, hollow ones
Best for: Beginners, longboarders, and surfers looking for relaxed, uncrowded sessions
Tides: Can change surf quality quite a bit; mid tide is often a decent starting point
Wind: Like many Pacific beaches, it’s best when winds are light offshore or calm, typically early in the day

Spot character

Playa Novillero tends to be a user-friendly surf spot rather than a highly consistent performance wave. The beach is so expansive that you can often find your own stretch to surf. The setting is scenic and peaceful, with a remote feel and warm water most of the year.

Things to know

Crowds: Usually light
Access: Easier if you have a car, since it’s somewhat remote
Hazards: Watch for strong currents, shifting sandbars, and occasional channel rips
Best vibe: Quiet, open, and low-key

Best season

The most reliable surf generally comes from the southern hemisphere swell season and late summer/fall Pacific storms, though rideable waves can appear at other times depending on conditions.