Santa Teresa’s coastline runs barely eight kilometers, yet it squeezes in more character than most entire regions. Use this spot-by-spot download to choose your peak based on tides, skill level, and vibe.
Playa Santa Teresa (Main Peak)
- Skill level: Beginner–Intermediate
- Bottom: Sand with shifting inside bars
- Sweet spot: Mid to high tide with light offshore wind
- Why paddle out: Plenty of peaks, forgiving shoulders, and immediate access to rentals, lessons, and cafés.
- Secret sauce: Walk five minutes north or south before paddling. Tiny rip bowls hide between main crowds.
Playa Carmen
- Skill level: Longboarders & cruisers
- Bottom: Sand with scattered rock outcrops—watch your toes at low tide
- Sweet spot: Low to mid tide
- Why paddle out: Silky walls tailor-made for logging, mellow channel for easy returns, and sunsets worth the paddle alone.
- Travel tip: If the main break is blown out by noon, Carmen often keeps a light texture but stays surfable.
Playa Hermosa
- Skill level: Solid intermediate–Advanced
- Bottom: Mix of sand and reef; strong rips on bigger days
- Sweet spot: Mid tide rising
- Why paddle out: Punchy rights and lefts over defined sandbars, plus less crowd pressure when it gets heavy.
- Coach insight: Take a foil board or step-up when south swells meet longer-period energy—you’ll find draining barrels.
Manzanillo
- Skill level: Intermediate once you understand the reef markers
- Bottom: Reef shelf with defined channels
- Sweet spot: Mid tide, small to medium swell
- Why paddle out: Playful walls, bright turquoise water, and the feel of a secret spot despite being right up the road.
- Getting there: Rent a quad or hop in a taxi and keep gear minimal—parking is limited near the fishing village.
How to Read the Coastline Fast
- Wind compass: If the trade winds swing onshore by late morning, surf north (Carmen/Manzanillo) or south (Hermosa) depending on protection.
- Tide tracker: Install a tide app with push alerts; Santa Teresa moves a lot of water and shifts the character of each peak hourly.
- Sandbar scouting: Watch at low tide the day before you surf. You’ll see rip channels, newly formed banks, and easier paddle-outs.
- Respect the locals: A smile, a timely “buenas”, and smart positioning go further than you’d imagine.
Tag this guide in your notes and bounce between peaks like a local. The more coastline you explore, the quicker you’ll find your signature Santa Teresa wave.