Is the Ocean in Sayulita Clean? What Swimmers and Surfers Should Know

Updated October 2026

If you’ve been reading about Sayulita online, you may have come across worries about the water. It’s a fair question, especially if you’re planning to spend your holiday in the ocean. Since we’re in that water every day, here’s what we know, where the information comes from, and how to check it yourself.

Where the concerns come from

Sayulita has grown fast, and like many growing beach towns, its water and wastewater systems haven’t always kept up. The main issue has been in the rainy season, roughly June to October, when the creek that runs through town flows out into the sea and can carry runoff with it.

Over the years, local groups, the municipality and the state water agency have worked on the sewage system and the treatment plant. It’s an ongoing effort rather than a finished one, and we’d rather tell you that than pretend there’s never been a problem.

How the water is tested

The local nonprofit Pro Sayulita tests the ocean every month at two spots: the main beach (Playa Principal) and the north side. A certified lab analyzes the samples, and the results are shared publicly every month.

The test measures bacteria that indicate contamination, written as NMP per 100 ml of seawater. You don’t need to understand the science; the simple version is that lower is cleaner, and Mexico’s health authority, COFEPRIS, sets 200 as the limit for swimming and other recreational use.

What the latest results show

In the September 2026 results, both the main beach and the north side came in below the COFEPRIS limit.

The numbers do move from month to month. In August, the north side was higher and the main beach lower; in September, it was the other way around. Each result is a snapshot of the day the sample was taken, which is exactly why monthly testing matters.

Where to check the latest results

Pro Sayulita posts the results every month on their Instagram.

If you’re visiting soon, take a look at the most recent month before your trip.

Ask us

We teach in the ocean every day, so if you’re unsure about anything during your stay, just ask. We’ll tell you honestly what we know.

Book a surf lesson in Sayulita

Planning your trip and wondering about safety in general? Read our Sayulita safety update.