The Troncones Surf Guide
So many Troncones surf breaks to chose from!
The Casa Oasis Troncones Surf Guide is here to help you get the most out of your Troncones Surf Experience. We’ve compiled local Troncones surf spot info as well as details on nearby surf breaks, from Troncones Point to La Saladita, like how to get there and what to expect. As well as some helpful general Troncones surf advice from local Surf guru, instructor extraordinaire, and owner of Tsunami Surf, Mike Linn.
Amazing wave photo detail courtesy of Michael Dawes, CC2.0
Casa Oasis: Home of the deluxe comfort Troncones surf trip
Because, porque rough it?
Who says a Mexico surf trip has to mean roughing it? Why not try a deluxe comfort Troncones surf trip—one that will make your significant other happy, too?
Come surf Troncones in style! Watch the waves from your beautiful beachfront sofa. Come home to mellow elegance after a long morning on the waves. Get a massage on your private patio after a day of paddling. Enjoy our full kitchen and spacious living areas as you sample fresh delivered seafood and plan your next surf outing. Take in a nearby yoga class to stretch out before or after hitting the waves.
Surf-view sofa
At Casa Oasis, you can watch tropical birds frolic, see dolphins and whales, iguanas and fireflies, even an armadillo or two and the occasional coatimundi—all from the comfort of your covered, open air patio. Listen to the peaceful summer soundtrack of birds, frogs and waves. Venture outside and witness more stars than you’ve probably ever seen. The full moon on the summer surf on our deserted beach is truly a spectacular sight.
Wake and break
Forget long drives and even longer paddles (we’re talking to you, Saladita!). When conditions are right, there’s an advanced break right in front of the house. Jump out of bed and onto your board!
Troncones Surf Report
Stormy (cooler) weather, bigger waves, better deals
Cooler on many levels—as in awesomer, and as in fresher. Summer is big surf season, and also a great time to enjoy awe-inspiring tropical storms and lightning displays from the safety of your open air living room. (It mostly rains at night.) Since we built as close to the ocean as possible, the Casa Oasis Main flat is always breezy, and you can keep track of the swell while relaxing on the sofa. The new Treehouse unit is not right on the beach, but due to its height and open construction, it offers amazing breezes and views (at a very low price). Check out our super low summer rates.
Also in front of Casa Oasis — during a truly epic summer swell…
Troncones surf information
General Information
There are essentially 2 distinct swell seasons. From April-October southern hemisphere swells and hurricanes provide the biggest swells of the year. Conditions can get pretty messy if a tropical storm gets too close to shore. November-March the waves drop considerably but stay in the waist- to chest-high range with excellent shape, and are accompanied by the best weather of the year.
Wetsuit optional
Troncones water temperatures are pleasant year round, averaging 79°F (26°C). The tidal range is only about 2ft (0.6m). Below is a general guide to the most popular waves in town. (Go to our Troncones area surf guide for details on nearby waves, from the northern area of Petacalco Bay south toward Zihuatanejo) Not every wave is mentioned, just the best and most consistent. But if you do some homework and look around a bit, you should be able to find some hidden gems.
Courtesy of Mike Linn, local surf guru and owner of ISA Mexico, provider of Troncones surf camps and Troncones surf excursions. Mike also rents boards and bikes, with free delivery to us at Casa Oasis.
Casa Oasis Troncones and/or MagicSeaweed cannot carry any responsibility for any consequence of any action or decision taken on the basis of a forecast or other content by our users.
Local board shaper Bruce surfs downtown Troncones.
Surfing Troncones’ Manzanillo Bay, just north of Casa Oasis
Troncones beach surf breaks
Troncones Beach breaks
Between the village of Troncones and Casa Oasis, there’s a 5 km (3 mile) stretch of crowd-free beach marked with rocky outcrops that encourage sandbars. These bars create consistent peaks when the conditions are right. These breaks happen on all swell directions and tides, for short, punchy rides over sand. Watch out for rocks in certain areas, and during summer. (Not for beginners) There are several bars up and down the beach so keep your eyes peeled for the bar of the week, or get the scoop from Bruce Grimes, local board shaper and beach break master. (His shop is on the land side of the beach road, just north of the bridge.)
Getting to the Troncones beach breaks:
Set up camp at any palapa restaurant on the beach, or use the beach access by Mi Casa Su Casa (the break is in front of the bridge), or next door to Casas Gregorio.
Or just walk there from Casa Oasis.
If you’re lucky enough (and smart enough) to be staying at Casa Oasis, you can walk to two or three beach breaks, including the sporadic wave right in front of the house (which you can conveniently see from the sofa).
Troncones beach breaks also act as a great indicator for the point breaks in the area.
If it’s head high or more, then the points are good. Smaller than shoulder high on the sets, then just stay in Troncones. And if there aren’t any waves on the beach break, then there just isn’t surf.
Manzanillo Bay (aka Troncones Point)
Manzanillo Bay in Troncones is a rock/reef point with a steep drop that empties into a deepwater cove. Breaks best on southwest and west swells.
On the best days, Manzanillo offers a steep drop, fast wall over a shallow reef with maybe even a barrel before dying down in the channel. Needs a significant swell with good direction to really perform. Because of the deep water and reef bottom set up, Manzanillo can maintain shape well into double overhead plus while other spots are just closing out.
There’s a public access between Casa Las Tejas and Casa Manzanillo (after the big hill, take the left turn off the beach road towards Troncones Point Hostel), but if you play your cards right, one of the many boutique hotels on the beach may provide access if you make an effort to view their properties or eat at their restaurants.
Get to Manzanillo: Head up the Troncones beach road toward Majahua. You’ll see the Inn at Manzanillo Bay (closest to the break), Hacienda Eden (nicest) and Tronco Bay Inn (least expensive), which provide access to customers. Or, drive a bit further for the free beach access. (about ten minutes from Troncones town)
Why Troncones is the best home base for your surfing safari
Beautiful, clean, eco-conscious beach
Unlike Saladita, Troncones has a lot more going on than just a great wave. Not only does Troncones have multiple surf spots to choose from, our little time warp village also offers much more. The beach and ocean are far cleaner here than say, Saladita or Zihuatanejo, not being right next to a major river or having all that infrastructure to muddy the waters, literally. Our waves are crystal clear and far cleaner than most nearby beaches. As an eco-conscious, limited-development beach, Troncones also has nature much closer to hand, be it amazing tropical birds on ready display, sea turtles laying their eggs, or sunbathing iguanas.
Safe, friendly, tight-knit community
Troncones is a town of 500, where tourism is the only real industry, and everybody knows and looks out for everyone else, it’s safe to wander down Troncones beach alone. Visitors are liked and appreciated.
So much to do!
And, there’s simply a lot more to do, besides the glorious ocean. Yoga classes, massage, restaurants, yoga, stores, even a coffee shop of sorts. Check out our Activities page for more info.
Year Round Surf
Troncones is blessed with year round surf, but the waves get bigger in summer. With many great mexico surf spots around, from local Troncones beach and point breaks to more famous nearby breaks like La Saladita and the Ranch.
Sure, those breaks are more famous, but Troncones offers a far more clean and beautiful beach and many more comforts and activities than other nearby surf spots— like in-house internet, a selection of stores and restaurants, yoga classes, massage, live music, freshly delivered fish and veggies, etc. Casa Oasis Troncones is the perfect base for a surfing safari. See below for a roundup of surf breaks in the Troncones area.
Endless Summer of big, warm, uncrowded surf
Troncones’ big surf season shines from April to the beginning of November. Beginning towards the end of the dry season, and moving through the first rains (usually at night), through the spectacular Greening (where everything explodes into lush foliage, seemingly overnight), and into the vibrant, gorgeous rainy season—when Troncones surf is up and Nature is at its most lavish.
Surfer Miguel’s Troncones surf advice
Most of this is common sense, but it bears repeating:
First, avoid driving on the highways at night, and don’t leave valuables in your car or on the beach while you’re out surfing. Second, be courteous to fellow surfers, both local and tourist. Most everyone is pretty laid back, but nobody likes a wave hog or someone with a bad attitude. Remember that lot of guys only have one board and it’s often a short board so keep that in mind if you’re riding a longboard.
If you’re new to surfing or just learning, try to find a less crowded wave or wait until the crowd thins a bit before you paddle out. It’s ok to be a beginner, but you don’t want to be a speed bump. If you’ve never surfed before, take a lesson from a good instructor who can show you the basics to help keep you safe and improve your chances of a fun, successful, and safe surfing experience.
And finally, have a great time. Get out and explore, meet new people, get good waves, and go home with great memories of your Mexico surf trip. We’ll see you when you come back for more.
Mike Linn,
ISA Surf Instructor
Troncones Beach, Mexico
www.ISAmexico.com
Surf
Troncones,
stay at
Casa Oasis
and you get the best of both worlds—serious surf and serious comfort, at a not-so-serious price. (Check out our wicked low Surf Season rates — Beachfront from US $120/night and $750/week!)
Troncones Beach, Mexico
OasisTroncones@gmail.com
Our Troncones Travel Guide
Our Troncones Surf Guide