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General => Travel, Trips, Destinations => Topic started by: SlatchJim on February 02, 2017, 09:11:58 AM

Title: Help us pick
Post by: SlatchJim on February 02, 2017, 09:11:58 AM
Mrs. Slatch and I are deciding between Kauai, Maui, and Puerto Vallarta for our summer vacation (in June or early July)  Ideally, we want to surf as many days as we can, head high is perfect.  The place will need to have rentals because we're not bringing our boards on this trip.

We need suggestions for each of these locations on where to surf, when the best season is, and other travelers tidbits that make trips worthwhile.  I'm calling on the hive mind of the Zoners to help us out.
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: SUP Sports ® on February 02, 2017, 09:33:43 AM
Aloha Jim,
My vote would be Sayulita (PV) area...

The dollar is the strongest it's been against the peso...you are in prime surf season before the heavier rains start...and, they do have good rentals from what I've seen...plus, the food is some of the best in the world...;-)

You can call the shop, or stop in next time you guys are in town, and ask Al...he just took the family down there for Christmas and has very current info...
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: surfafrica on February 02, 2017, 09:40:06 AM
Ya, if choose the PV area, you'd probably want to go slightly north towards Punta de Mita or Sayulita. 
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: SlatchJim on February 02, 2017, 11:06:03 AM
All the three options are hinged on our time share trading options, and Sayulita doesn't have a resort so we'd likely have to drive up and surf there if that were the case. Maui and Kauai moved up on the list because the resorts available are much closer to surf breaks.
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: SUP Sports ® on February 02, 2017, 11:27:04 AM
There is no surf right in PV...you are right...but, Punta Mita area is closer than Sayulita...
We used to go to the north shore of Maui to go windsurfing during that time frame...strong tradewinds...you'd have to get lucky and time a south swell...much busier on the south shore...

Kauai is always a favorite...but, from what I've seen myself and heard from others...rentals are subpar...

Is Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo on your list?
Surf is practically guaranteed...and, there are SUP rentals at several places...we've put boards down there...but, they are at an exclusive private resort...
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: p06781 on February 02, 2017, 12:57:16 PM
Skip sayulita as the water isnt that clean but its a great place to eat and shop . Stay in punta mita or a time share between mita and pv.  The break burrows is basically in front of the Grand Palladium .  It looks like the pictures above are from that spot ? Surf at la launcha , burrows, ancholte , el faro , and the cove .   
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: Tom on February 02, 2017, 01:33:31 PM
+1 on the Palladium ,  both pkaces. Good   surfing right  at  the  resort 
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: Tom on February 02, 2017, 01:34:17 PM
+1 on the Palladium ,  both pkaces. Good   surfing right  at  the  resort 
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: PabstSUP on February 02, 2017, 02:49:56 PM
Punta de Mita is great - we actually stayed at the Quinta Del Sol - a cool little surf hotel just outside the fancy resort gates. 
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: SlatchJim on February 02, 2017, 02:53:19 PM
These are the nuggets I was hoping to find. Keep em coming!
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: SUP Sports ® on February 02, 2017, 03:50:12 PM
Aloha Jim,
PV is a much shorter flight than going to Hawaii...less than 2 hours...there are some tricks to keep from getting mobbed by time share salesman at the airport...;-)

If you do stay at the Palladium...I would recommend the upgrade to Royal Suites...nicer pool...better restaurant...fewer people...etc...
The surf is OK there at Burros...nice to not have to drive...what it lacks in quality, it makes up for in consistency...and, I have surfed with turtles swimming underneath me there...always cool...there are a few better waves in the area...you can get to La Lancha pretty easily...don't leave anything valuable in the car...a few other spots are better accessed by boat...

Pics are pretty typical of the surf in the area...taken 6 years ago...you need a pretty good sized swell to get them going...it's definitely not Puerto Escondido...;-)

Like I said...Al and family just returned from there a month ago...so he has a recent pulse on it...

Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: surfafrica on February 02, 2017, 03:54:41 PM
This pic was taken 5 minutes after we were sitting in the infinity pool sipping beer at the Palladium overlooking the break.  The swell came up out of nowhere mid-day so a few of us headed out.  When the session was done, we handed our boards to the guys on the beach who run the board shack, hopped back in the pool (only after a beer was handed to us), and watched the second wave of guys head out.  Pretty much a dream day.
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: surfk9 on February 02, 2017, 04:06:59 PM
Slatchjim,

+1 on the PV area.  It doesn't get epic but it does get quite good.  Pacific Paddle Surf rents new Starboard SUPs.  SUP Mexico in Sayulita has SUPS.  Most of the surf shops in Sayulita have SUPs.  Paddles aren't the greatest so you might want to bring your own.  The time your looking at is perfect for south swells but west swells also work as PV is the same latitude as Hawaii.  Palladium is a good call as it's right on Burrows.  Sayulita is a good call for family as the kids get a very user friendly beach, rent a house walk to the beach and restaurants.  The water is fine in Sayulita except after a big downpour.  Currant exchange 1+21.  I'm writing from my home in San Pancho just north of Sayulita.  Surfed there today waist+.  Lots to enjoy here and not the hustle/hassle of Hawaii.  PS- it's very SUP friendly.
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: centralcoastsup on February 02, 2017, 07:56:52 PM
+1
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: centralcoastsup on February 02, 2017, 08:08:11 PM
I'd like to visit San Pancho sometime.
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: surfcowboy on February 02, 2017, 09:57:11 PM
Yeah, might need some private 411 on San Pancho before my next trip South. Palladium looks like it will make the wife happy.

Kauai rentals are not great, especially down South where you'd want to be for summer.  Also not SUP friendly. But I love it so much.

Seems like the posse here loves the Mexico.
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: surfk9 on February 03, 2017, 03:58:57 PM
Surfcowboy,

Ask and ye shall receive!
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: SlatchJim on February 03, 2017, 04:52:12 PM
You guys are causing quite the discussion in the Slatch household.  If I were to choose Maui, any advice?
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: surfk9 on February 04, 2017, 02:39:52 PM
Been to Maui twice, but I'll leave it at that with a little story.  Quite a few years ago before SUP was on the radar went to Namotu in Fiji.  Group was there from Maui, good waterman all.  Asked them why they came to Namotu when they live on Maui.  They're comment, Always crowded, everyone always has their board on the car and knows when and where the swell will hit.  They just wanted a better shot at some uncrowded waves.
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: SUP Sports ® on February 04, 2017, 03:12:10 PM
You guys are causing quite the discussion in the Slatch household.  If I were to choose Maui, any advice?

Maui in June/July = rent windsurfing gear...or, get into down winders...;-)
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: PonoBill on February 04, 2017, 03:38:42 PM
I've been a lot of places to do water sports. One of the few places that you can almost always do SOMETHING is Maui.  It's the only place I consistently miss when I'm not there. Yes, it's crowded. So is California. Same reason--good place, so people want to be there.

I like Mexico, and I used to be able to go there without being sick. But I seem to have run that immunity out. Something seems to be going on lately, not sure what, but everyone I know who is going to Mexico is sick for a month afterward. The Trouts spent a couple of weeks in Mexico (Sayulita, I think) before going to Ponohouse, and they all got deathly ill and took weeks to recover.

I always considered the surf in Maui to be kind of moderately good, some years much better than others. But that was before I spent a winter in SoCal. I know this year has been mediocre everywhere, but compared to SoCal, Maui has great surf and uncrowded breaks.
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: piece of 8 on February 04, 2017, 04:12:59 PM
La Quinta del Sol is a solid, reasonably priced stay in Punta Mita. We bought fresh fish and vegetables everyday from the fish market and then cooked out on the rooftop kitchen every night. It's right in front of a great little brake called Stinky's.
You can walk into the commercial boat section from the motel and talk to a guy named Rudy. He will set you up with a boat for about 40 bucks to take you to anyone of maybe five different breaks where they will stay with you for 2 hours and then bring you back. The best way to get there this rent a car right outside the airport and drive. If you want to do a day trip you can rent a car and head out to all the towns north of there in one day, although Sayulita is closest, I would save that to the end for dinner and fun. Sayulita is 20 minutes north, then you have San Pancho, de los Marcos, and other towns leading up to Chacala. All can be done in one day and my personal favorite is Los Ayalas,where you can get a couple of Yellowtail Snappers charcoal-grilled on a stick and a cold Pacifico for about 2 bucks. Sorry, I can't figure out how to print these pictures right side up. The first is of Stinky's taken from  the hotel.
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: p06781 on February 04, 2017, 04:19:55 PM
Although  I love sayulita , it does definitely has water quality issues .  Plenty of better places to surf with less people in the area .   >100 fails ....
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: SUP Sports ® on February 04, 2017, 05:38:12 PM
Although  I love sayulita , it does definitely has water quality issues .  Plenty of better places to surf with less people in the area .   >100 fails ....

Definitely an issue near the mouth of the stream there at la playa...but, for that matter, pretty much near ANY fresh water drainage...pretty much ANY where on this planet near where humans inhabit...;-)

https://youtu.be/W5T8x2u-TpA

https://youtu.be/YPXeQVi39nU
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: p06781 on February 04, 2017, 05:48:26 PM
Yes I know,  but the right and left in sayulita are where the river dumps out ? It never stopped me before but definitely wash up after coming out of the water. BTW , stinkys in front of the la Quinta in mita is where the water treatment plant drains into the ocean too.  Right?  It never stopped me there either . I love the area! 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: p06781 on February 04, 2017, 06:08:28 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170205/b4ebf97186cfb9dc91db52997720bf3f.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170205/d7b9edd19ea6c0ee3afceebcee0fe8ef.jpg)

Pictures from over Xmas vacation with my daughters.  Some mix of wnw and sw for fun conditions.  However I was sick as dog from a virus imported from Oregon.  Party wave action at anclote in front of the Faro de mita condos we rented.  Bigger waves at sayulita where the wnw shows up better .

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: piece of 8 on February 04, 2017, 07:49:57 PM
I guess that's why they call it Stinky's! Incidentally, that picture at Anclote is showing some decent size. When I was there when it was big, the swell would start gaining size out by that furthest sailboat. I was catching some 300-yard rides for about 30 to 40 seconds. It was like that for about six of the 30 days that I was there. When it's on this wave is the absolute funnest I've ever been on.
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: p06781 on February 04, 2017, 08:46:06 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170205/bb0b27c44b48e5b7d51a62eb3c2cb2dd.jpg)

Like this ! Yes super long rides! My best day in mita was getting dropped off at la launcha with a new swell filling in at 5pm and staying till sunset after they lock the gate at 6pm . Me and one shortboarder for hours in perfect conditions ! Dreamy . Had to paddle and walk back in near darkness.  Saw Kim and Kanye at the girls gone wild house next door to la launcha walking the beach with guards following me . Surreal place .

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: Bulky on February 04, 2017, 11:41:25 PM
You asked about Maui, I was there around that time of year. Stayed in Puamana and surfed everyday (but some of the locals told me we got lucky).  Lots of fun but much shorter rides than what I'm seeing in some of the Mexico pics.  Nice place to be where I could run out and surf without ditching the family but seeing how much you and Mrs. Slatch like to surf, no need to settle--go where the surf is!
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: SlatchJim on February 06, 2017, 09:13:47 AM
Yea Bulky, the only way to ditch my family is to not go out surfing
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: SlatchJim on February 13, 2017, 08:44:03 AM
So the discussion at home is regarding our country's current relations with Mexico and whether it's a good idea to travel.  Me, I'm up for it, but momma wants things to settle down a bit.

Current leaning is toward Maui.  What's the worst that could happen? I learn to downwind?  We haven't been there since our honeymoon 31.5 years ago.  It probably hasn't changed a bit.  :)
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: SUP Sports ® on February 13, 2017, 03:07:35 PM
So the discussion at home is regarding our country's current relations with Mexico and whether it's a good idea to travel.  Me, I'm up for it, but momma wants things to settle down a bit.

Current leaning is toward Maui.  What's the worst that could happen? I learn to downwind?  We haven't been there since our honeymoon 31.5 years ago.  It probably hasn't changed a bit.  :)

Aloha Jim,
You and Marty have a good problem to have, right?...;-)

Honestly, I don't think that our wannabe dictator, that a minority of US citizens recently elected...and, has stirred up a small amount of Mexican nationalism, has had any effect on the safety for Americans vacationing in Mexico...at least that I have heard about...YET...;-)

I do have an amigo down in the Baja, where Deb and I "own" property, that publishes a great blog...here's a little perspective...at least from Baja Sur, which is my Mexico travel preference...waves...weather...paddling...food...weather...safety...etc...

http://www.bajainsider.com/article/mexico-travel-warning-perspective

I don't hesitate recommending PV for you guys...like I said...my shop manager, Al, took his wife and two young daughters there last month...and, he has a law enforcement and safety background...

Taking it a step further...personally, I feel that the PV area is a little too tame...ridiculously safe, IMO...;-)

https://youtu.be/f47D70eXPHA

It's called the Mexican "Riviera" for a reason...it's one of the world's top tourist destinations...furthermore, big picture...more than 1,000,000 Americans are living in Mexico and so are an estimated 500,000 Canadians...

Regarding Punta Mita area...

"This area is so private that even locals aren’t aware of their famous neighbors including executives from Apple, Siebel Systems, Yahoo, Amazon, Qualcom, and British Telecom, as well as one very high profile landowner, and one of the richest men on the planet. In 2014, Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, along with his Cascade Investment group, bought 48 acres of beachfront property along with the Four Seasons Hotel site in Punta Mita."

"We’ve had superstar visitors in Punta Mita before but it has been particularly Gaga with a frolicking a Sheens and return visits from the Kardashain family.
Famously graced by Beyonce, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Jennifer Aniston with Vince Vaughn, Kate Hudson with Matt Bellamy of Muse…then more discreet legends like Michael Stipe, Ewan McGregor, Roger Waters as well as many captains of industry and politicians.
After filming in Mexico City, Matt Damon, Jodie Foster and Diego Luna shot a few scenes in Punta Mita for an upcoming futuristic political thriller called Elysium.
By association Punta Mita is made famous as THE safe and secure luxury enclave on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Earlier this summer, Charlie Sheen was kind enough to tweet his presence and give his personal endorsement of Mexico in a video of his time at the Four Seasons, Punta Mita Resort, saying “Much like myself, don’t believe what you read or hear about Mexico. It’s paradise down here.”

OTOH, beneath the outward veneer of paradise and aloha, there is another side to that Maui vacation that they are trying to sell to you in the brochure...;-)
Two sides to every coin...

https://mauinow.com/category/crime-statistics/

"Maui police responded to 18 burglaries, 18 vehicle thefts and 19 vehicle break-ins in Maui County over a seven day period from Jan. 29 and Feb. 4, 2017."

This was an anomaly...but, the truth is that there is an undercurrent of racism by some folks in the Hawaiian Island paradise that can't be swept under the rug...I have experienced it myself more than a few times...YMMV...

https://youtu.be/zG0YEI8aIm8

Regardless...whatever you guys decide...I'm sure that you'll get wet and have a good time...

Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: surfk9 on February 13, 2017, 03:56:11 PM
Slatch,
I'm in San Pancho right now, have been for 3 weeks and will be until end of March, things haven't changed with the election of the Donald.  People here are of the same opinion as the majority of the voters in the US.  Nothing is happening of a negative nature, if anything it is a little more crowded due to the great exchange rate.  Still a good/great choice for a little SUP vacation.  Sayulita today head+, Anclote, ankle biters, Burros waist+.  Mariscos outstanding, weather couldn't be better, water warm, little chill in the morning on dawn patrol.
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: stoneaxe on February 14, 2017, 11:37:38 AM
I'd go back to Maui simply because you haven't been there since your honeymoon. You would also likely get a chance to hang with a few fellow zoners.... :)

Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: SlatchJim on February 16, 2017, 03:31:19 PM
I might go to Maui, just to visit that guy (in the video) and buy him a cupcake.  :D
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: p06781 on February 19, 2017, 09:02:38 PM
surfk9,

Do you surf at san pancho and north ever?  Coming down may 15 to 23rd and thinking about looking around at other spots .  We will probably stay in mita but considering other spots?  Chacala?   , Playa las tortugas?  You seem to know that area pretty good ? 

Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: surfk9 on February 20, 2017, 03:49:50 PM
p06781,

Rarely head north as it entails a lot of driving and becomes an all day event.  Chacala requires a boat ride once you arrive and there is no guarantee of swell.  All the forecast sites, Surfline, Magic seaweed etc. are guesstimates as there are no buoys along the Mexican coast to get swell data, all comes from the North.  That being said going north is worth the drive if for no other reason than to check out the coast.  Potential surf can be found at Platinitos, Santa Cruz, Aticama, Matanchen Bay, Las Islitas, Stoners Point and San Blas.  That whole stretch can be covered in about 2 hrs from San Pancho.  San Pancho gets it's best surf during/following the rainy season.  I'l be down there with my surf buddies from 5/13-21.  We're still trying to get Las Islitas, a potentially mile long wave on a south swell.  It's in the Guiness book.  If you end up down there during our time let me know.
tas
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: SlatchJim on February 25, 2017, 09:24:05 AM
Picked Maui, June 18-25.  Timeshare traded for Kanaha Falls.  Going to rent 2 sups for the week.
We still plan on a PV trip but want to do that with our kids when they get the time off.

Need Recommendations on:
Rentals (808?)
Surf spots for two geezers that are happy with 6 footers and good up to about 9-10 foot faces (not pipeline-esque please)
Restaurants.
A chance at our first Maliko run.  Momma is up for anything.

Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: Bulky on February 27, 2017, 10:58:45 AM
A few good recs on board rentals and locations in the thread I ran on this a few years back.  http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,26093.15.html (http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,26093.15.html)

I do know that whatever place I rented from closed down, but lots of others.  Check prices before you go as some gave  discount for booking before you travelled.  In my case it made most sense to rent the boards in Kahalui right when I left the airport--they'll even strap them on the car for you.

As my thread says, you probably won't have to fear 10' faces, but if you head down to Puamana Beach park--or pull over along the highway at anyone of several spots south of there, you'll be able to find a nice uncrowded peak.

Stop at Leoda's pie shop down there for lunch afterwards and bring a pie home.  We're not much for super-expensive foodie places but there's plenty of those.  The meal we had at Da Kitchen in Kahalui was really, really good.  Hit it on the way out of the airport and you'll probably find a reason to go back.

Lastly, you should touch base with Headmount to see what downwinders might be going that time of year.  Be a different experience for you and Mrs. Slatch.
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: p06781 on May 11, 2017, 04:58:46 PM
Hey surfk9

We are flying to PV on the 15th and staying till the 23rd at Faro de Mita condos in Mita .  Let me know if you will be down as it would fun to meet up .  Saw the potential of 5.5@18 ssw on 5/20 which might make Las Islitas go off ?  Would love to do that once and we have a surf truck from gecko to drive up .   Email your info p06781@gmail.com if interested 

James in pdx
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: SUP Leave on May 12, 2017, 03:45:57 PM
Oy Slatch Jim I am going to be there at the same time with my family!

My wife is a school counselor and our summer vacation always coincides with the last day of school - June 14 this year. I will be there June 16 through 26. We go to Maui every other year and the last two times I have hit on a great south swell window. Fingers crossed for a 3-peat! Last time the swell ran for 7 days and at one point a local turned to me and said "I hope this swell stops soon, I'm sun burned, I'm bruised, reef-scraped and plain tired."

We are going to be on the westside at Puamana. No doubt you will be concentrating your surfing along HWY 30 during that time and so we definitely will have the opportunity to cross paths.

Take advantage of the time change in your favor, you can be paddling out in the dark and get 2 solid hours, with minimal crowd. With a SUP it is easy to move to alternate peaks. I would not say Maui is that crowded in the time frame you will be surfing, especially since you are coming from SoCal. If there is a swell running the most popular spots will be crowded, but if you can settle for a little shorter waves, you can find good spots.
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: SlatchJim on June 26, 2017, 08:40:14 AM
Well, we got back last night and as luck would have it, we surfed Monday through Saturday on a nice summer swell (1-3+ Hawaiian) that lasted all week long.  I surfed each day until standing became nigh impossible.

SUP Leave, I'm guessing you scored on the same swell we did. We found ourselves near either Launiupoko or Ukumehame all week long.  Locals said we scored as it was pancake flat the week before.  :)

I get it now.  The love for Maui thing.  Yea.  It's pretty special.
Title: Re: Help us pick
Post by: SUP Leave on June 28, 2017, 10:31:48 AM
Whew - I landed Friday the 16th. Swell started running Saturday the 17th with all the way through my trip ending with leftovers still on the 27th. Surfed every day. Puamana point picked up chest to head the whole time. During the peak of the swell Puamana closed out (mostly) so we had to go south to 1000 peaks or guardrails (once Launiopoko - parking there sucks).

I only SUP'd one day. The rest of the time I rode prone boards between 7-6 and 9-6. My 3 daughters all caught plenty waves. We even took them down to the Cove in Kihei where they loved the slow breaking waves. My oldest moved from catching whitewash on longboards to green waves on fun boards. My other two just caught every wave that came by them (easy when you are less than 100 pounds).

Got to play golf at the Plantation course at Kapalua with a buddy. What a great golf course! I struggled on the greens (the grain melted my mind), but it was one of my best ever golf experiences.

Great trip - I am 3 for 3 on hitting the swell on my last 3 Maui vacations. Sitting at my desk now I still feel like I am bobbing in the ocean. I can't wait to get back. Lucky - all you who live Maui.

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