If you’re wondering whether November is a good time to learn to surf in Sayulita: yes, it’s one of our favourites. The water is at its warmest, the jungle is still green from the rainy season, and the town is waking up for high season without being full yet. You get a lot of the good parts of winter with more room in the water.
The waves and the water
November is when the ocean changes over from the south swells of summer to the north and northwest swells of winter. That means variety. Some days are small and mellow, which is ideal for a first lesson in the beginner area, with its sandy bottom and water around shoulder height. Other days a swell comes through and the main breaks get lively. For Lessons in Sayulita we look at the tide and the forecast the day before and set your lesson time for the best window.
The water is about as warm as it gets all year, typically around 28 to 29°C (about 82 to 84°F). No wetsuit needed. Your lesson comes with a rash guard, which keeps the sun off your back and stops the board from rubbing. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and put it on before you arrive.
For more on how the seasons and tides work here, see our month-by-month guide.
What’s going on in town
The month starts with Día de los Muertos on November 1 and 2, when altars, marigolds and painted faces fill the town. After that, things settle into a calmer rhythm. Restaurants and shops are open again after the quiet months, and new faces arrive every week.
The one week to plan for is US Thanksgiving, on November 26 this year. A lot of families come down for the long weekend, so that week is busier in town and in the water. If your trip falls around then, book your lesson a few days ahead.
Staying into December? Read about surfing in Sayulita in December.
Who November is good for
Couples and friends who want space to learn without a crowd around them. Families who’d rather avoid the Christmas rush. Digital nomads settling in for the season and looking for a routine.
It’s also a good month for a lesson package. Doing three or five lessons over a week or two, while the town is still relaxed, is a great way to go from your first pop-up to catching waves on your own.
If Sayulita still feels too busy on a given day, there’s La Lancha, a quieter beach about 25 minutes south. The trip leaves every day at 2 p.m., and there’s also a 7 a.m. trip every day for groups of 4 or more.
Booking your November lesson
Our 90-minute lessons in Sayulita start from 1,200 MXN per person, with board, leash and rash guard included and a maximum of four surfers per instructor. You pay a 500 MXN deposit per person when you book, and the rest in cash (MXN) at the shop on the day.
New to surfing? Read is Sayulita good for beginner surfers? first.
