PUERTO ESCONDIDO
MEXICO
OVERVIEW
Puerto Escondido is home to some of the best beach breaks in the world, including Zicatela and Punta Colorada, and are beloved and admired by the entire surfing community. Often referred to as the ‘Mexican Pipeline’ the wave is universally regarded as an international treasure. While renowned worldwide for the famous big wave beach break Zicatela, the proposed Puerto Escondido World Surfing Reserve will also host a variety of waves and surf ecosystems spanning over 10 kilometers and including 9 unique waves.
- Dedicated: March 22nd, 2026
- 10 km of coastline
- 9 Waves
- 14th World Surfing Reserve
Playa Zicatela surf Cam
Surf Cam provided by Skyline Webcams
“Zicatela is not just a beach; it is our identity, our history, our life. Being recognized as a World Surfing Reserve is an honor, but also a responsibility. Celebration is not enough—we must preserve our waves and everything they represent.
Now is the time to unite, to raise our voices, and to protect what makes us unique. Because Puerto Escondido would not be the same without its ocean, its culture, and its people. Together, we will ensure this legacy lives on forever.”
Humberto “Beto” Olivera
Local bodyboarder and community leader
WHY PUERTO ESCONDIDO?
Achieving the designation of Puerto Escondido as a World Surfing Reserve (WSR) honors not only the town’s cultural and economic significance as a global surfing destination but also serves as a powerful framework for long-term environmental conservation. The waves at Zicatela, Punta Colorada, and other breaks are natural treasures that support a unique ecosystem and attract surfers and visitors from around the world. However, these valuable resources are increasingly threatened by overdevelopment, pollution, and climate change.
Key conservation activities, such as protecting sea turtle nesting grounds, reforesting mangroves, and preventing unsustainable coastal development, will be empowered and supported by this designation. The establishment of a WSR will also provide an essential platform for education, raising awareness among the local population and visitors alike about the importance of preserving the region’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
In the long run, the WSR will foster a deep-rooted sense of environmental stewardship among the local community, encouraging them to take an active role in protecting the waves, coastline, and ecosystems that define their home. It will also provide a platform for policy advocacy at the local and national levels, ensuring that Puerto Escondido remains a model of sustainable coastal development and environmental protection for generations to come.
Attributes of a World Surfing Reserve
Puerto Escondido is home to some of the most iconic and varied waves in the world, attracting surfers of all levels, from beginners to professionals. The coastal region offers a unique combination of beachbreaks and point breaks providing excellent surfing conditions year-round. Each wave has distinct characteristics, shaped by the local geography and influenced by seasonal swells, wind patterns, and offshore trenches. While the main draw is Zicatela, one of the best big waves in the world, 8 other high quality consistent waves exist in the World Surfing Reserve.
Puerto Escondido lies along Mexico’s southern Pacific coast, an area recognized for its rich biodiversity. The convergence of tropical and marine ecosystems provides habitat for a wide range of species, both terrestrial and aquatic. Wetlands, mangroves, and river estuaries in and around Puerto Escondido offer critical ecosystem services, such as water filtration, flood control, and carbon sequestration, making the conservation of these habitats vital for maintaining environmental resilience.
The area supports numerous species listed as endangered, threatened, or subject to special protection, including sea turtles, iguanas, and crocodiles. Sea turtles, such as the Olive Ridley, Black, and critically endangered Leatherback turtles, rely on the beaches of Puerto Escondido for nesting. Several protected areas surround Puerto Escondido, including the Laguna de Chacahua National Park, an internationally recognized wetland area.
Puerto Escondido’s identity is inextricably linked to its powerful waves and vibrant surf culture. Surfing in Puerto Escondido is not only a sport but a way of life that has shaped the town’s community and economy for decades. Puerto Escondido’s surf history dates back to the 1960s when a group of Californian surfers first discovered the incredible waves at Zicatela. This discovery marked the beginning of the town’s transformation into a global surfing destination. During the 1970s and 80s, as more surfers ventured to Puerto, the town’s popularity grew, establishing it as a must-visit surf location on the global stage.
RESOURCES
Official WSR Booklet
Contact Information:
Contact: salvemospuertoescondido@gmail.com
SOCIAL MEDIA:
@reservamundialdesurfpxm
PARTNER SOCIAL MEDIA:
@salvemoslaola
@salvemos.colorada
@costaunidaoax
@fondoax
Local Stewardship COuncil
Core Team:
Salvemos Colorada
Costa Unida
Salvemos la ola
Fondo Oaxaqueño
Ambassadors:
Coco Nogales
Greg Long
Environment Agency, National Trust, Surfers Against Sewage, Blue Marine Foundation
Exmoor National Park, North Devon Coast: Area of Outstanding Beauty, North Devon’s Biosphere Reserve, Plastic Free North Devon, Pickwell Foundation, Devon Local Nature Partnership, Exmoor National Park
Surfing England, RNLI, Museum of British Surfing, Surfdome, The Wave Project, Surf Life Saving GB
Croyde Surf Club, Wave Wahines, Hotdoggers Surf Club, North Devon Schools Surfing, Woolacombe Boardriders Surf Club, Woolacombe SLSC, The Point Magazine
University of Plymouth, The Ilfracombe Academy
Mortehoe Parish Council, Georgeham and Croyde Parish Council, Lynton and Lynmouth Parish Council, North Devon Council, Braunton Parish Council
Visit Devon, Visit North Devon and Exmoor, Croyde Beach / Ruda, Putsborough Beach, Downend Car Park / Croyde, Saunton Beach and Villas, Woolacombe Beach / Parkin Estates
Stewardship plan
Conceptual Model
Stewardship Plan
Booklet
Download PDF (includes English and Portuguese)
Global News: World Surfing Reserves
Understanding changes to surf ecosystems in the era of climate change
Dr. Dan Reineman of California State University Channel Islands teams up with Save The Waves and World Surfing Reserves to understand specific impacts of climate change on world class waves.
World Surfing Reserves: Stewardship Stories – August 2026
In this August report of World Surfing Reserves, we’re looking at the progress of 4 individual WSR locations: Punta de Lobos, Gold Coast, North Devon, and Guarda do Embaú.
From Resistance to Science: Protecting the Waves of Puerto Escondido
How can we understand what’s happening to the wave in Zicatela beyond observed changes by surfers and the community? Conducting the first high-resolution bathymetric and photogrammetric survey of the beaches of Bahía Principal, Marinero, and Zicatela. Article by Almendra Gomezleyva, in English and Spanish.
Summer Update: Santa Cruz World Surfing Reserve
As the season evolves, so does the coastline. Here is the latest on what’s happening along the Santa Cruz coastline and how you can take action to look after this epic surf ecosystem.
