San Mateo surf guide

San Mateo is a surf spot located on the coast that used to be famous for having the longest wave in the country. However, the construction of a massive port changed that, and now the wave is pretty much cut in half. Still, surfers can find some decent rides with walls reaching up to 400 meters in length. When the conditions are right, it's a spot that can attract a crowd, especially from the local crew.

The best conditions at San Mateo come with a Northwest swell. It can handle swell sizes around 5 feet (1.5 meters), making it suitable for experienced surfers looking for a challenge. The waves break over an uneven reef and sandy bottom, offering both point breaks and lefts. On those days when the waves do get going, it's quite fun, with vertical lips to hit and the occasional barrel to chase. The preferred wind direction is from the south and it works well during low, mid, and high tide. Just keep in mind that the waves won't really fire unless the beaches are overhead, so it’s mostly for experts.

Locals can sometimes show a bit of attitude, especially since it's not a super consistent spot. On the other side of the port, things might be a bit more chill with smaller, easier rollers which are okay for less experienced surfers. But overall, if you want to surf San Mateo, make sure you know your stuff and are ready to compete with the locals when things turn good.