Surfing Boca de Pascuales

Deep water runs close to shore here, and an offshore canyon focuses open-ocean swell onto the sandbars that the Río Armería builds at the north end of the beach. The result is powerful A-frame peaks breaking left and right over sand, with rides of up to about 100 m, thick lips and fast, hollow barrels. South and southwest swells work best, and summer is the main season, from about April to October, with July and August especially consistent and often huge; winter has less swell.

Mid tide is the most common recommendation, as low tide makes the sandbars tricky and high tide less consistent. Mornings usually bring north-east offshores before the afternoon wind, and the evening can glass off. Bring a shortboard plus a step-up or gun. The hazards are serious: heavy impacts on shallow sandbars, broken boards, strong currents when it pumps and a competitive lineup at the main peaks. Farther south, Playa El Real can hold very big waves that are ridden with jet-ski assistance. Water ranges from the low 20s °C in late winter to around 30 °C in late summer.

The beach faces south-west, so the morning sun is behind you and lights the barrels from the front, which is also when the offshore is usually cleanest; that combination makes summer mornings the classic session. From early afternoon the light comes from the sea, with glare on the water and backlit spray, and the sun sets over the Pacific for silhouettes. Surf photographers come here regularly in the summer season.

Shoot from the sand opposite the main peaks, around the river mouth and just south of it; on big days the waves break a good distance out, so 400–600 mm is standard, with 200–300 mm for the inside and the shorebreak. Watch for surges running up the beach on big swells. Swimming out with a housing is only for experienced water photographers on moderate days, given the currents and the weight of the waves. The picture here is a deep barrel under a thick, feathering lip, frozen in morning light.

Boca de Pascuales is about 10 km from Tecomán, just off Highway 200, and roughly an hour's drive from the city of Colima; Guadalajara is about three hours away. Colima Airport (CLQ) has flights from Mexico City. Buses between Colima and Manzanillo stop in Tecomán, and from there a short taxi ride reaches the beach. The village has a few hotels, beachfront palapa restaurants and board repair. Check current travel advisories for Colima before you go and drive only in daylight.