Surfing Los Patos: The Complete Guide

Los Patos is a reef break located in Mazatlan, Mexico, offering a left-hander along Central America's Pacific-facing coastline. Los Patos is a left reef break in the Mazatlan area that complements the rights at nearby Valentinos. Rated as advanced difficulty with lightly crowded conditions, this reef break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is SSW (200°), with workable conditions from S to SW (180°–220°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Los Patos needs a minimum of 0.9m / 3ft to start working and handles swells up to 2.4m / 8ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 12 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the NNE (22°). The full offshore range spans N to NE (0°–45°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid tide.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Los Patos runs May, June, July, August, September, October (May–Oct). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens April, November (Apr–Nov). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Summer south swells. Left complement to Valentinos.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 27°C / 81°F. Boardshorts or a thin rashguard are all you need.

Getting There

The nearest airport is MZT, just a quick 15-minute drive from the break.

Access: Mazatlan area. Near Valentinos.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended
🌀 Strong rips — Dangerous currents

Reef break. Left alternative.

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock
Study the currents before paddling out. Know your exit strategy

Skill Level: This spot is rated advanced (6/10). Crowd Level: Typically lightly crowded (3/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Los Patos? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Los Patos is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*