Salina Cruz is a stretch of right-hand pointbreaks that grind along for a mind-bendingly, leg-crampingly long time. Pick up one that has already been spinning for tens of yards and you'll still get a lengthy ride out of it, through barrel sections, crisp lips, pocket shoulders and every other manner of blissful kink. The waves break over sand with scattered rock, the water is clean, and the surf here is really good. Some of the spots can get shallow, so keep an eye on what's under you. After a ride that long, expect an equally long paddle back out.
When It Works
The points draw swell from southeast to south and are usable from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 3 m / 10 ft, roughly chest high to double overhead. The season runs from March through September, covering spring, summer and autumn.
Wind and Tide
Look for west-northwest offshore wind, with a workable wind window running from west-southwest to north. The points work on low and mid tide, and a rising tide is generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is a shortboard setup that suits intermediate and expert surfers. Expect a moderately busy lineup, with numbers climbing year on year, and keep your etiquette tidy in the water.
Access
Getting there is a bit tricky.
