Overview
San Mateo is a long left-hand point that was once the longest wave in the country, until a large port was built and cut the wave in half. Even shortened, it can still send 400m walls rumbling down the line-up, serving up plenty of vertical lips to smash and the odd barrel.
When It Works
This is a rare-but-worth-it setup. It won't even think about breaking until the beaches are overhead on a northwest (NW) swell, so it only fires a few times a season. It draws swell from west to northwest and works from 1.5 m / 5 ft to 3.7 m / 12 ft, peeling as a point break over uneven reef and sand. Consistency is on the low side, so you need to be ready to move when it turns on. The other side of the port picks up easier rollers for improvers, though it's usually very small.
Wind and Tide
Look for a south (S) offshore wind to clean it up. It can work across low, mid, and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
San Mateo is an expert-level wave, and when it lights up the Manta locals and just about everyone else are on it, so expect a busy lineup. With low consistency and a crowd chasing the same rare swell, there can be some attitude in the water.
Access
There's free roadside parking near the spot.
