Learning to surf in Sayulita
Most first lessons in Sayulita happen on the soft sandbar of the town beach, a few steps from the plaza. Here is where, when, what it costs and who teaches, with today's waves.
For a first lesson today
2–3 ft on the sandbar now, good
Mornings are usually glassier and less crowded; most schools start between 8 and 10.
Where you'll learn
The sandbar on the town beach
The schools teach on the sand-bottom waves in front of the fishing pangas, toward the north end of the main beach. It faces a little north, so it is sheltered from the heavy south swells of summer, and the waves are slow and forgiving. It is also crowded with lessons by mid-morning.
Still checking: sources disagree on exactly where the sandbar, the right off the river mouth and the left sit on the beach. We are confirming it with a local; ask your instructor to point them out.
Further out, when town is big or busy
- La Lanchasouth · 3–4.5 ft now
- El Anclotesouth · 3.5–5.5 ft now
- Stinky'ssouth · 4–6 ft now
- Lo de Marcos beachnorth · 2.5–4 ft now
- Litibúsouth · 3–4.5 ft now
La Lancha, about 20 minutes south, is where most schools go when the town beach is too big; many include the ride.
The months that suit a beginner
Any month can work on a small morning. These are the odds.
- JanGoodSmall north swells, glassy mornings, busySea 25 °C
- FebGoodSmall north swells, glassy mornings, busySea 25 °C
- MarGoodSmall north swells, busy until after EasterSea 24 °C
- AprGoodThe sweet spot: small waves, fewer peopleSea 24 °C
- MayGoodThe sweet spot: small waves, warmer waterSea 27 °C
- JunMixedSouth swells start; small days still teach wellSea 29 °C
- JulMixedWarm and rainy; pick the small morningsSea 30 °C
- AugMixedWarm and rainy; pick the small morningsSea 31 °C
- SepHarderThe biggest swells and storms; La Lancha or a small daySea 31 °C
- OctHarderBig south swells linger; learn on the small daysSea 31 °C
- NovGoodSwells turn north, quieter before the holidaysSea 29 °C
- DecGoodSmall north swells; busy from ChristmasSea 27 °C
What a lesson costs
From 2026 guides and schools' own pages. Prices change by season; check with the school.
- Group lesson, 1.5 to 2 hours, board included
- about 500–900 pesos
- Private lesson
- about 1,000–2,000 pesos
- Board on the beach, by the hour
- about 200–350 pesos
- A lesson at La Lancha with the ride
- from about US$120
Packages of three to five lessons usually work out cheaper per lesson. Ask whether a rash guard, the board for the rest of the day and photos are included.
Who teaches
18 schools in and around town. We don't rank them; read what each offers and ask about group size.
Lunazul Surf School & ShopCentro · kids · tripsA family surf school on Calle Marlín since 2002: a 90-minute lesson plus an hour's free practice (MX$1,790 alone, less in a group), and if you don't stand up, the second is free. Rentals, multi-day courses and lessons at La Lancha too.
Marea Surf SchoolNorth side · kids · tripsA surf school by the river, started in 2015 with an umbrella and four boards: local instructors, never more than four students each, 90-minute lessons on the main beach from MX$1,200, or the open-top truck to La Lancha's jungle beach at 2pm.
Patricias Surf ShopCentroSayulita's first surf school, run by the Southworth family since the 1990s right on the beach in front of the main break, beside a beach restaurant and fishing tours.
Sayulita Surf CenterCentro · tripsDiego Cadena's surf shop in the Sayulinda hotel, a block from the break: 90-minute coaching plus an hour of free surf from MX$1,400 each, boards from MX$150 an hour or MX$600 a day, with lockers and showers, and fishing trips on the boat.
Sayulita Surf Co.North sideLocally owned school for surf and stand-up paddle lessons and rentals, with guided sessions for more experienced surfers.
Sayulita Surf CoachNorth sidePrivate, bilingual lessons with Joel Barraza, a local competitive longboarder: first waves for beginners and style coaching for longboarders.
Sea SayulitaCentro · kids · tripsSmall adventure outfit planning surf lessons at quieter spots away from the main beach, waterfall hikes, surf trips and beach fires, with transport included.
Surf'n SayulitaCentro · kids · tripsA surf school on Calle Gaviota teaching since 2005 with ISA-certified instructors: a beach briefing, then 90 minutes in the water, board and rash guard included, from MX$1,200 each for three or more. Day trips to a jungle beach end with fish tacos.
WildMex Surf School & Adventure CenterNorth side · tripsA big outfitter on Calle Pelícanos, open 7:30am to 8:30pm: two-hour lessons on Sayulita's sandbar (from US$65), 300-plus rental boards with free swaps, a surf shuttle to La Lancha, Malpaso mountain-bike rides and Marietas trips. Shops in San Pancho and Punta de Mita too.- Avex Surf CampSouth sideSurf school offering lessons and multi-day surf camp packages with hillside hotel stay.
- Costeño Surf SchoolSouth side · tripsLong-running local surf school on the main beach with two- and four-hour private or group lessons, surf trips around Banderas Bay, and rentals of surfboards, longboards and SUPs.
- Juicyyy Surf SayulitaCentro · tripsJuice bar on Avenida Revolución that also runs small-group surf lessons and trips, often to less crowded breaks such as La Lancha, plus a surf-and-taco outing. Green juices and ginger shots to go, with a discount for bringing your own cup.
- Mexican Surf MafiaSouth side · kids · tripsFamily-run surf outfit dating to 2004 and home to Sayulita's first surf team; lessons for all ages, board rentals, guided surf trips and camps. This is the Av. Revolución shop.
- Pancho Surfboard RentalsUp the valleySurfboard rental/surf school on C. Manuel M. Plascencia per our dataset; name suggests a Sayulita and Bucerias operation.
- Sayulita Cruz Surf CampNorth sideBeginner-friendly surf camp with hostel lodging, lessons and Punta Mita surf trips.
- Sayulita Surf SchoolCentro · kidsSurf and paddleboard school run by the González brothers, ISA-certified instructors and competitive longboarders; lessons for adults and kids, hourly to weekly board rentals, and surf trips around the bay.
- Surf N Roll SayulitaCentro · tripsFamily-owned surf school in the center since 2008, with lessons, surf trips, board rentals, kids' camps and retreats.
- the Heartbeat of the WaveCentroSurf school working from the main beach off Calle Gaviotas, where the gentle river-mouth right suits beginners.
Safety and etiquette
Stay safe
- Don't count on a lifeguard being on duty; at the main beach, stay in front of the surf schools.
- Rips run hardest near the river mouth and on bigger swells: paddle across them, not against.
- Rocks and sea urchins sit under the points and the river-mouth right; booties help.
- After heavy rain the river carries runoff into the north end of the beach; give it a day or two.
- Use plenty of sunscreen and wear a rash guard: the UV is high all year.
In the lineup
- The surfer closest to the peak has the wave; don't drop in.
- Paddle wide of the lineup, not through it.
- Hold on to your board; learners stay inside, away from the main peak.
- Lessons and rentals stay in front of the schools, not on the point.
The water
The health authorities test Sayulita's beach before the Easter, summer and winter holidays. Fit for swimming means at most 200 enterococci per 100 ml.
Fit for swimming in the latest test, verano 2026 (32 per 100 ml)
- Verano 202632fit
- Semana Santa 202610fit
- Invierno 202511fit
- Verano 202566fit
- Semana Santa 2025268not fit
- Invierno 202434fit
- Verano 2024133fit
- Semana Santa 2024134fit
After heavy rain the river carries runoff into the north end of the beach, where the sandbar is; give it a day or two.