Playa Zicatela - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (June - September)

The heart of the Zicatela season aligns with the Northern Hemisphere summer, when the south Pacific storm track drives consistent, powerful SSW-to-SW groundswell. Average wave heights hover around 1.6-1.7m and periods remain long (13+ seconds), producing pumping sets that unload on the Mexican coastline. Crucially, the regional wind regime turns favorable — the Tehuantepec gap winds weaken in this period, allowing a higher percentage of offshore flow from the north and northeast. This translates to clean, groomed waves with minimal chop. Ideal wind frequency peaks at 42% in July and August, meaning nearly half the days offer glassy conditions. If you’re chasing the classic Zicatela wedge with shape and power, this window delivers the best blend of size and smooth surfaces.

Fair Surf Season (April - May & October - November)

Shoulder months bring a trade-off: swell energy remains robust, especially in April and May when the average height climbs to 1.5-1.6m and periods stretch to 14+ seconds. However, the wind often fights back. April sees ideal offshore flow only 9% of the time, with onshore WSW and W winds dominating over 40% of the month. This creates bumpy or wind-chopped conditions, though the underlying power remains. October and November offer a slight uptick in favorable wind (33-35% ideal), combined with still-solid 1.3-1.5m averages. These months are for the patient surfer — pick the clean windows and you’ll be rewarded with long-period SSW swell, but be prepared to sit out more onshore days than in peak season.

Low Surf Season (December - March)

Winter’s grip on the Pacific’s southern hemisphere storm tracks weakens, and Zicatela feels it. Average swell heights drop to 1.1-1.2m, and although the long-period characteristics persist (13-13.6s), the consistent fun-sized and small days increase. The wind picture is mixed: strong offshore flow from the north is common (December and January have 31% and 27% ideal conditions, respectively), but when the swell is small, even clean waves struggle to offer more than groveling conditions. February and March see a further decline in ideal wind (21% and 13%) as the westerly quadrant picks up, spoiling the wave face. This season is best suited for loggers, beginners, or those looking to avoid the crowds — but real pumping Zicatela is on hold.

April: Peak Swell, Challenging Winds

April hits the sweet spot for swell size and period: average height 1.5m and period 14.1s — the most potent combination in the early season. Swell direction is overwhelmingly SSW (68.5%), with a notable 24.9% sitting in the 1.5-2m range and 1.5% over 2.5m. This is the first month where ‘firing’ sets become more common. However, the wind is the enemy: ideal conditions occur only 9% of the time. Onshore flow from the W (20.1%), WSW (15.3%), and SW (7.7%) dominates the daily cycle. The north wind (N, NNE, NE) is nearly absent — total less than 4% for all those directions. April is for the hardcore charger who can stomach bumpy conditions or wait for brief windows of clean north wind that occasionally slip through. When it aligns, the long-period SSW groundswell will be fast and hollow, but expect a lot of chop.