Riviera Nayarit · Mexico
Surfing La Lancha
La Lancha is a quiet beach off the Punta de Mita coast road, reached by a short path through the jungle, with several reef peaks that break on most days of the year. Mostly rights with the odd left, it suits beginners on the softer peaks and gives intermediates and longboarders long, open walls. Bring what you need for the day, because the beach itself has no services.
At a glance
- Wave
- Reef break · Lefts and rights
- Bottom
- Reef
- Level
- Beginner, Intermediate
- Best swell
- S, SSW, SW, W, WNW
- Best wind
- N, NNE
- Tide
- Mid tide
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Water
- 22–31 °C · 2 mm or spring suit → Boardshorts and a rash vest
- Crowd
- Busy at peak times
The surf at La Lancha
Local schools rate La Lancha as the most consistent break in Banderas Bay, and it is often a little bigger than the beaches around it. The bottom is reef with patches of sand, spread over several peaks along the beach: the main peak out front handles more size, while smaller, softer waves to one side are used for lessons. Most rides are rights, some peaks throw decent lefts, and on the right day you get wedgy A-frames, though it is rarely hollow.
The beach faces south-south-west, so south to south-west swells hit it directly, while winter west and north-west swells wrap in cleaner and smaller; a light northerly wind is offshore. It works on most tides, but at the lowest the reef and rocks sit close to the surface, so mid tide is the comfortable choice. Summer swells can make it feisty and overhead. Crowds are usually moderate and heavier when lessons are in the water. Watch for sea urchins; reef booties help if your feet are soft.
Photographing surf at La Lancha
Because the beach faces south-south-west, the rights peel towards the east, into the morning sun. Stand on the sand east of the main peak early in the day and riders come towards you with the light on their faces; a 100–400 mm lens (full-frame equivalent) covers the peaks, which break fairly close to shore.
By midday the sun sits over the water and the scene goes flat and backlit, and late afternoon light comes from behind the riders, which suits glowing spray and silhouettes. La Lancha is one of the easier places in the area to shoot from the water: the wave is mellow, the water warm and the line-up rarely packed. Swim wide of the take-off, stay off the shallow reef at low tide and use the backdrop, which from the water is palms and jungle-covered hills rather than buildings.
Getting there
La Lancha sits on the coast road between La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Punta de Mita village, 45 minutes to an hour from Puerto Vallarta airport. Look for cars parked along the road by a surf shop and a petrol station, park for free on the roadside and walk the jungle trail for 10–15 minutes to the sand. The beach has no vendors, toilets or shade, so bring water and sun protection; board rental, lessons and an outdoor shower are available near the trailhead.
Surfing or shooting here?
Surfing at La Lancha?
Post your surf plan with your dates. Photographers in the area can see it and offer to shoot your session.
Shooting at La Lancha?
Share your photos with the beach tagged. Surfers looking at La Lancha find your work and can message you.
Nearby spots
- El AncloteRiviera Nayarit · MexicoBeginner, Intermediate · Point break, Reef break
- Punta BurrosRiviera Nayarit · MexicoIntermediate, Advanced · Point break, Reef break
SayulitaRiviera Nayarit · MexicoBeginner, Intermediate · River mouth, Reef break, Beach break
San PanchoRiviera Nayarit · MexicoIntermediate, Advanced · Beach break, Reef break
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to surf La Lancha?
It breaks for most of the year. November to April is usually the friendliest period, with cleaner, smaller waves as north-west swells wrap into the bay. From May to October south and south-west swells hit the beach directly and can make it bigger and punchier, which suits intermediates more than first-timers.
Is La Lancha good for beginners?
Yes, it is one of the best-known learning spots around Punta de Mita, with softer waves on the lesson peak and plenty of room along the beach. The bottom is reef rather than sand, so go with a lesson or an experienced friend, avoid the lowest tides and watch for urchins. Bigger summer swells are for intermediates.
Where can you photograph surfing at La Lancha?
From the sand east of the main peak, early in the morning, when the rights come towards you and the sun is behind the camera. A 100–400 mm lens is enough. On normal days the water is also a good option, with palms and jungle-covered hills behind the riders.
Is La Lancha a right or a left?
Mostly a right. Several peaks break along the beach over reef and patches of sand, and the main ones peel right, but some peaks throw lefts too, and on some days you get A-frames. It is rarely hollow: think long, open walls suited to longboards and to practising turns.
How can I get photos of my surf session at La Lancha?
Post your surf plan on Makai with the dates you will be here, so photographers in the area can offer to shoot you, or browse surf photographers and message one before your session. Agree on what you will get before you paddle out.
Updated September 2026