Surf Trip to La Lancha Beach from Sayulita: All Ages & Levels

Jungle drive and uncrowded waves at La Lancha Beach

A surf trip from Sayulita to La Lancha Beach with transport in an open-air pickup truck, a 30-minute jungle drive, and your choice of a guided lesson, free surf time, or beach access only. The trip runs daily at 7 AM or 2 PM and takes about four hours total. Surfboard and leash are included. Children as young as five can join with an adult present, and the guide speaks English and Spanish.

The experience

You'll meet at the surf school in Sayulita, where the team helps you pick a board suited to your level and loads everything into an open-air truck. The 30-minute drive itself becomes part of the adventure. You're riding through jungle scenery on the way to La Lancha, a white sand beach between Bucerías and Punta de Mita that stays uncrowded. Once you arrive, a short walk through the jungle trail brings you down to the break.

What happens next depends on which option you chose at checkout. If you booked the surf lesson, your instructor covers the basics on land first, then guides you through about 90 minutes in the water, teaching you how to catch waves and build confidence before leaving you roughly 30–45 minutes to practice on your own. If you picked free surf time instead, the instructor points out the safest and best spots, then you have about two and a half hours to surf at your own pace. Either way, you're working with a local guide who knows the break. If you chose transportation only, you simply have the afternoon to swim, relax, or walk the beach without getting in the water.

After your time at La Lancha, everyone heads back to the truck for the drive back to Sayulita, where the trip ends at the school. Departures run at 7 AM and 2 PM daily, but the 7 AM trip requires at least four people to confirm. Arrive 10–15 minutes early so the team can get everyone loaded and moving on time.

What’s included

• Transport in an open-air pickup truck from Sayulita to La Lancha Beach.
• surfboard and leash for your session.
• a guide who speaks English and Spanish.
• instruction on land and in the water if you book the lesson option.
• or free surf time with spot guidance if you choose that instead.

Options for this experience

3 options

Transportation OnlyUp to 2 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 07:00 and 14:00Transportation only: for non-surfers joining friends or family. No surfboard or instruction is included. Maximum 2 spots per trip.

Transportation with board rentalUp to 6 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 07:00 and 14:00Individual surf session: a short break explanation is included, with 2 to 2.5 hours to surf at your own pace, or simply enjoy the beach. No lesson.

Transportation with a surf lessonUp to 6 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 07:00 and 14:00Lasts 4 hours: 30 minutes to reach the break, a 90-minute surf lesson, some extra free time to spend, and 30 minutes to return to Sayulita.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 14:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (5 to 80 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 14 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Marea Surf School

Is this one for you?Book the surf lesson if you want structured teaching and confidence-building in the water; choose free surf time if you already surf and want to practice on your own without instruction; or pick transportation only if you'd rather spend the afternoon swimming and relaxing on the beach. The open-air truck ride is part of every option, so you get the jungle scenery regardless of which experience you select.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I bring my kids on this trip if they've never surfed before?

Yes, the trip welcomes all ages from five and up, with children under twelve required to have an adult present nearby during the activity. The adult doesn't need to get in the water, just stay close by. If your child books the surf lesson, the instructor teaches the basics on land and in the water. If they choose free surf time, the instructor still points out the safest spots before you take over.

What's the drive to La Lancha Beach like from Sayulita?

The drive takes about 30 minutes through jungle scenery in an open-air pickup truck, which the operator builds into the experience itself rather than just transport. Once you arrive, there's a short walk down a jungle trail to reach the beach.

How much time do I actually spend in the water?

If you book the surf lesson, you get roughly 90 minutes of guided instruction in the water, followed by 30–45 minutes of free practice time. If you choose free surf time instead, you have about two and a half hours to surf on your own after the instructor shows you the best spots.

Do I need to know how to swim to go on this trip?

Basic swimming skills are required for anyone participating in the water, whether taking the lesson or doing free surf time. You'll also need to be able to carry a surfboard, which involves about a 10-minute walk from the parking area to the beach.

What's included in the price, and what should I bring?

Transport to La Lancha, a surfboard, and a leash are all included. You'll want to bring sun protection, a towel, and a change of clothes. Snacks, lunch, and bottled water are not included, so pack what you'll need for the afternoon. Restrooms are available on the truck if you book a lesson or free surf time, but not on transportation-only trips.