(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“Little note:
These islands are protected by the Mexican government. They are patrolled by the marines.
All winds out of the North or Northwest are offshore.
Also, also any northerly Swell does not affect the waves at this POINT break in any manner.
Absolutely, this is one of the best breaks in Mexico if not in the North American continent. It's a Deep water reef break that faces East and takes only South SW swells.
PS Lots of pros look at this forecast for Hammerheads and they know exactly what works out there. So it would be advantageous to adjust the forecast correctly.”
Jeffrey. (Jrm) photos from MEXICO - 24 Oct 2023
Hammerhead Ratings
Overall: 1.0. Based on 2 votes and 2 reviews. Vote
Quality on a good day: 3.0(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 4.0(1: Hammerhead is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 5.0(1: Hammerhead is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Nayarit. 5: the best break in Nayarit). |
Difficulty Level: 3.0(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 4.0(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Hammerhead can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 1.0(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Hammerhead, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 4.0(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Hammerhead are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 5.0(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 4.5(1: Often too crowded. 5: Hammerhead is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 1.5(1: Getting to Hammerhead requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 5.0(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 1.0(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 1.0(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Hammerhead for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 5.0(1: Camping at Hammerhead is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 5.0(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Hammerhead is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 1.0(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 1.0(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Hammerhead, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 1.0(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Hammerhead where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
“Only a handful of world class surfers have surfed this right hander, reef break. When you are sitting out in the lineup facing East, the sun is rising in your eyes (think about that). Locals know this place as Caballos which means horses. It's on the map and actually, Caballos is a offshore reef about 400 yards from where who ever named this place hammerheads (never seen one) is supposedly located.
This break is situated on the East Cape of the island of Magnalena the Southern third island. The Tres Marias, Chain of islands located 70miles offshore of Narait which houses a 100yr old colonial style prison, where nowadays, they no longer have low risk prisoners (Madre). They are tougher and stricter when it comes to invading federal space. You can expect to be mugged shot for the records. No more slaps on the hand.
This place is one of the last places in the warm water North Americas where a world class wave breaks virtually unridden. Offshore predominantly NW 70 percent of the time. Water so clear the foam is blue, animals that are not accustomed to mankind. June through September expect the unexpected in weather. Surf can be 1 foot overhead when the coast of Nayarit is virtually flat. Surf can reach epic proportions, tow in size..I have personally been in the water at this break more than just a few times when it was at least 15 foot AND 20 plus at Caballos. I have seen it on big souths, Caballos (An offshore "A" frame) folding over at 20 foot plus, offshore spray trailing 300 feet in the air behind these giants (This has to be where the name comes from) looks like a herd of horses galloping with their manes flying in the wind behind them, and it looks just like that. Breath taking to say the least. This is the treasure of treasures when the souths are working. Once in a life time deal, difficult at best to reach...surfs always up when showing on the coast as a south swell. How you are going to get out there? That's another story in itself. Later.”
JRM from MEXICO - 12 Apr 2012
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