Matanchén is the name of both the bay and one of the small towns located just south of San Blas,

Nayarit Nayarit, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Nayarit, is one of the 31 states that, along with Mexico City, comprise the Political divisions of Mexico, Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in Municipalities of Nayarit, 20 municipalit ...

, on the Pacific coast of

Mexico Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...

. It is known for its exceptionally long

surf break A surf break (also break, shore break, or big wave break) is a permanent (or semi-permanent) obstruction such as a coral reef, rock (geology), rock, shoal, or headland that causes a Wind wave, wave to Wind wave#Wave breaking, break, forming a ...

. Las Islitas, one of the villages and surfing spots on Matanchén Bay, is documented by the ''

Guinness Book of World Records ''Guinness World Records'', known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as ''The Guinness Book of Records'' and in previous United States editions as ''The Guinness Book of World Records'', is a British reference book published annually, listi ...

'' as having the "World's Longest Surfable Wave" at . A local surfer familiar with the conditions was quoted as saying "one quarter to half mile waves are not uncommon." Matanchén is also the site of one of the earliest settlements in Western Mexico. The site dates to approximately 2000-2100 BCE.

Further reading