Surf guide
A Mini Guide to Cabo’s Surf Breaks
Cabo runs on two seasons and forty-odd kilometres of coastline — from the wrapping winter lefts outside Cabo San Lucas to the long summer right points of the East Cape. Here’s how the map reads, west to east.
Two seasons, one coastline
The tip of Baja is really two surf coasts that trade off through the year. Summer (roughly May–October) sends south and southwest swell straight into the corridor and the East Cape, lighting up the right points — this is the season most people come for, and the water is bath-warm. Winter (November–March) brings northwest swell that wraps around the cape into a handful of Pacific-facing reefs and points. Read the swell first, then pick your zone.
Zone 01
Cabo San Lucas & the Corridor
The westernmost rideable waves, where the reefs between Cabo San Lucas and San José switch on. Monuments headlines it; on the right swell, quieter corridor reefs come to life too.
Monuments
The corridor’s western anchor, just outside Cabo San Lucas. A long left that peels over a rock-and-reef bottom and wraps more northwest winter swell than anywhere else down here — it also fires on a solid south. Sharp rocks and urchins reward respect; this is not a learner’s wave. Get there early before the wind comes up.
Zone 02
Costa Azul, San José del Cabo
Baja’s surf capital, at the mouth of San José. Three very different waves sit within a five-minute walk of each other — so there’s almost always something to ride for your level.
Zippers
The headline act. A fast, punchy right that throws the occasional barrel on a good south swell, with lefts that can be just as fun. It’s the most consistent summer wave in the area — which also makes it the most crowded and competitive. Bring your best paddle and your best manners.
Pescadito
Tucked just up the beach from Zippers, a smaller and more forgiving right — the natural step up once you’ve outgrown the white water but aren’t ready for Zippers on size. Fewer crowds and more room to find your feet on a real point wave.
Acapulquito · “Old Man’s”
Right out front of the Cabo Surf Hotel, ‘Old Man’s’ is the gentle, rolling right where most of Cabo learns to surf. Soft takeoffs, a long workable wall, and a friendly channel make it the longboard and beginner favourite — the perfect spot for a first lesson.
Zone 03
The East Cape
North and east of San José the coast turns wild. A washboard dirt road strings together remote point breaks — Shipwrecks, La Fortuna, Punta Perfecta — that need a bigger south swell and a sense of adventure (ideally a 4x4). Fewer people, more reward.
Nine Palms · Nueve Palmas
The classic East Cape destination, named for the palms standing over the beach. A long, mellow right peels off the river-mouth point in soft, forgiving walls — a longboarder’s dream and a dreamy place to log waves far from the crowds. It’s remote, so come self-sufficient: water, wax, food, and everything you’ll need for the day.
Read the swell, pick your zone, and respect every lineup you paddle into. From the Monuments lefts to the Nine Palms rights, Cabo rewards the surfers who show up humble and stay curious.