Cabo San Lucas / Surfing
Summer and fall are the best times to catch waves in Cabo, although there can be waves at all different times of the year. The points in and around Cabo go off when there's a chubasco off of the Mexican mainland, or when a southern hemi brings in a swell from below the equator. When the waves are flat in Cabo, it can be a whole different scene up the west coast towards Todos, where it can get double overhead and scary.

Water temperatures hit the 70's before summer, and get outrageous (in the 80's) by August-September. You can still surf without a wetsuit through November,and sometimes into December.

Localism is generally not as bad in Cabo as it is in many parts of the world. Even though the waves belong to everyone, it's a good idea to remember that you are a guest in someone else's territory. If snaking someone on a wave is uncool at your home break, it is definitely not appreciated here either. Surf with respect and you will generally be respected. An article in the 1997 May-June issue of Longboard Magazine has some excellent tips on surf etiquette for surfers who want to slide or shred in various parts of the world. Check it out.

Want to try a totally radical new sport...kind of a cross between a surfboard and a kayak? Check out the web site of WAVEMASTER. These things are awesome!

 

COSTA AZUL

Located up Highway One towards San Jose Del Cabo, about 2 miles before town.

Probably Cabo's most popular break. Everything about this place is easy... which is probably why there's usually a crowd in the water. Easy parking, easy paddle out (even with a big swell), and great shape on a right breaking wave. Costa Azul is a reef point break that holds well in way overhead conditions, and can be lots of fun even with smaller waves (except for the reefs at low tide!).

If you like to show off for an audience, this is the place to get on stage. The rest area / lookout parking lot is just above the break, and there is always an audience watching the action.

A nice, somewhat reasonably priced restaurant is located just up the beach from the break, and is a great place to hang and watch after a session.

 

ESTUARY

Located just east of San Jose del Cabo, just up the coast from the hotel zone.

A sandbar break that takes a good rain to set up. When the huge estuary behind San Jose del Cabo gets flooded from a good Chubasco, the estuary fills up and then overflows to the ocean. The flow of water leaving the estuary pushes sand out into the ocean, creating a sand bar off shore. These breaks are good left and right, and can get hollow and nasty at low tide. Holds a large swell, up to double overhead. Will not break unless the estuary has opened up. So just because a south swell is lining up the Cape with corduroy lines, don't expect this break to always have shape. But when it does break, it's one of the best breaks in southern Baja!
 

PLAYA CABO BELLO

Located off the main highway a couple miles east of town between Km. 5 and 6.

Monster lefts off a point reef, fast take-offs, then slower shoulders to a rock / cliff beach. This break only works with a good sized swell, and you don't want to be out here unless you are ready for anything. The waves bounce around quiet a bit because of the backwash from the cliffs, especially at higher tides. If you are looking for a quick rush, this is the place.
 

PUNTA PAMILLA

Just past Pamilla Hotel, off of Baja Highway One.

A reef right break that breaks best when it's really big. Easy access to the beach. The rocks on shore morph into a sandy bottom, and paddling out around the sets is easy.
 

SHIPWRECKS


Up the East Cape road from San Jose del Cabo about 10 miles.

A right breaking point break the wraps into the sandy cove. Although Shipwrecks holds a large swell, it can also be fun with a smaller swell. Waves also break on the other end of this bay (east end - left breaking) the shape is not as consistent. This is also a great beach for just hanging out!