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Surf Baja Links

Surf Baja Hot Spot

K-55 also called Campo Lopez or Rocky Point. K-55 is a well-known wave like K-38. K-55 has juicy barrels both right and left. Surf Baja at K-55 if you're looking for a break that will hold its shape even in double overhead surf.

Surf Break Locations

#1 – Playas de Tijuana, Baja
#2 – Baja Malibu, Baja
#3 – Rosarito Beach, Baja
#4 – Renes, South Rosarito, Baja
#5 – Popotla, South Rosarito (Just North of Fox Studios)
#6 – Mushrooms – South Rosarito, South of Calafia, Baja
#7 – Calafia, Baja
#8 – K-38, South of Calafia, Baja
#9 – Las Gaviotas, North of Puerto Nuevo, Baja
#10 – Rauls, Puerto Nuevo, Baja
#11 – K-55, Cantamar, Baja
#12 – La Fonda, KM 58, Baja
#13 – Salsipuedes and Playa Saldomondo, Ensenada Baja
#14 – San Miguel, Ensenada, Baja
#15 – El Martillo - Todos Santos Islands, off the coast of Ensenada, Baja

# 1- Playas de Tijuana

Playas De Tijuana is the first break once you cross the border from the United States. Playas De Tijuana is a beach break. It never gets that crowded. Most people that take the time to drive south surf the reef breaks. If you decide to surf at Playas it is easy to find. On your way to the coastal toll road (M-1 Cuota) follow the signs to Playas De Tijuana. The site is located near the bull ring.

Caution - the water is extremely polluted. You can drive 15 minutes south to cleaner water.

Skill Level: Beginner to pro
Best Season: Year round
Crowds: Small crowds to no crowds
Locals: None
Hazards: Rip currents and pollution

Wave Description

Wave Type: Beach break
Wave Direction: Rights and lefts
Best Surf: Head high
Power: Fast, powerful, hallow and steep
Wave consistency: Regular
Bottom Type: Sand

Tides and Swell

Best Tide: Medium tide
Wind Direction: West
Best Swell Direction: Playas de Tijuana breaks best on Southwest and Northwest swells

Wave Access

Easy to Locate: Yes

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#2 - Baja Malibu

Baja Malibu is a powerful beach break. Baja Malibu is one of the thickest waves around. It is also known to throw spitting barrels. When Baja Malibu gets big, beginners should stay away. Malibu is where San Diego surfers go to get some top to bottom barrels and power. This wave is very consistent, and breaks both in summer and winter, and it is best on medium to low tides. Baja Malibu is a good indicator of how it will be when you go farther South because it is only 30 minutes from the border.

Caution: Take note the water is very polluted, and it is usually at least 5 degrees colder than it is in San Diego.

Skill Level: Intermediate to pro
Best Season: Winter
Crowds: Since it is so close to San Diego it can get crowded, especially on big days.
Locals: Few Baja Malibu locals…break is located in front of a gated community.
Hazards: Rip currents and pollution

Wave Description

Wave Type: Beach break
Wave Direction: Rights and Lefts
Best Surf: Head high to double overhead
Power: Hollow and fast
Wave consistency: Very consistent
Bottom Type: Sand

Tides and Swell

Best Tide: Medium tide, it sucks up and spits out on low tide
Wind Direction: North and Northwest
Best Direction: Baja Malibu is best on Northwest swells

Wave Access

Easy to Locate: Yes
Location: Baja Malibu is 15 miles south of the border. Take the Baja Malibu exit from the toll road and park on the dead-end street on the north side of the Baja Malibu housing development. Look for the Tecate Jack’s bar sign. They may charge you to park.

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#3 - Rosarito Beach

Rosarito Beach is mostly beach breaks. The beach stretches on for miles. You can usually find some kind of surf, due to the fact that it breaks on most any swell. Since Rosarito is a big city the water gets polluted, so take caution. The waves can get steep but they close out pretty much on anything-over head high. You can catch the best surf south side of the pier. Rosarito hosts enormous spring break-like crowds due to the fact that it's so close to San Diego.

Skill Level: Beginner to pro
Best Season: Summer and Fall
Crowds: It gets crowded, especially when it gets good
Locals: This is not a local spot
Hazards: Sharp rocks

Wave Description

Wave Type: Right point
Wave Direction: Calafia breaks best on Southeast swells, worth checking on a big North
Best Surf: Head high to double overhead
Power: Fast and powerful
Wave consistency: Regular
Bottom Type: Sand

Tides and Swell

Best Tide: High tide
Wind: North and Northwest
Best Direction: Northwest to North

Wave Access

Easy to Locate: Yes
Location: Various places in town. Look for beach access points. Great stretch of beach on the north end of town just south of the power plan.

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#4 - Rene's, South Rosarito

Renes is an uncrowded beach break; it is probably uncrowded because most surfers drive past it without knowing about this fun break. Renes is a good place to check when everywhere else is too big and closed out. Renes will break on any swell and can handle surf up to double overhead. Renes is located right in front of “Renes Sports Bar and Restaurant”. You can park at the restaurant just buy a taco or a beer.

Skill Level: Beginner to pro
Best Season: Summer and Fall
Crowds: It gets crowded, especially when it gets good
Locals: This is not a local spot
Hazards: Sharp rocks

Wave Description

Wave Type: Right point
Wave Direction: Calafia breaks best on Southeast swells, worth checking on a big North
Best Surf: Head high to double overhead
Power: Fast and powerful
Wave consistency: Regular
Bottom Type: Sand

Tides and Swell

Best Tide: High tide
Wind Direction: North and Northwest
Best Direction: Calafia breaks best on Southeast swells, worth checking on a big North

Wave Access

Easy to Locate: Yes – Take last Rosarito exit (at Pemex station)
Location: Just south of Rosarito Beach on the free road (Old Highway 1) right behind Rene’s

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#5 - Popotla, South Rosarito (Just North of Fox Studios)

Popotla is a fun wave that breaks on South and North swells. Popotla is rocky; however it is probably the only wave that you can surf with in view of the Foxploration Studios. Popotla mainly breaks left, but the occasional right can be had. Popotla is easy to find. It is located in front of the Popotla RV Park. The challenge is to convince the guard to let you in, GOOD LUCK! The best way to get to surf Popotla is either fork out the money and camp at the RV park or just North of the Fox studios is a small fishing village, its entrance is marked by a giant white gate in the shape of a retarded looking “h”.

Skill Level: Beginner to pro
Best Season: Summer and Fall
Crowds: It gets crowded, especially when it gets good
Locals: A couple of Rosarito locals
Hazards: Sharp rocks

Wave Description

Wave Type: Rock reef
Wave Direction: Lefts
Best Surf: Head high to a couple of feet overhead
Power: Fast
Wave consistency: Regular
Bottom Type: Rock

Tides and Swell

Best Tide: Low to medium tide
Wind: East
Best Swell: Popotla breaks best on a Southwest and Northwest swell

Wave Access

Easy to Locate: Exit last Rosarito exit (Pemex Station) turn left. However you will need to go through a private RV park
Location: You can find Popotla through the RV Park, however the guard at the gate will not want to let you in. Beaches in Mexico are public by law so he has to let you use the beach.

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#6 - Mushrooms – South Rosarito, South of Calafia

Mushrooms is a break that most surfer drive right past and would never know it. If you have driven to Baja you have noticed the giant leaning pink tower that has been vacant for like 15 years. The tower is now painted white and has a “for sale” sign on it. Mushrooms is located right in front of that building just South of Calafia. Mushrooms is a fun reef break that breaks right and left. On a big swell Mushrooms will be less crowded than Calafia or other breaks in the area.

Skill Level: Intermediate to pro
Best Season: Summer and Fall
Crowds: Not as crowded as other close by breaks
Locals: Small local scene
Hazards: Sharp rocks

Wave Description

Wave Type: Rock reef
Wave Direction: Rights and lefts
Best Surf: Head high to double overhead
Power: Fast, powerful and hallow
Wave consistency: Regular
Bottom Type: Sand and rock

Tides and Swell

Best Tide: Medium to high tide
Wind Direction: Northwest and west
Best Break: Mushrooms breaks best on Northwest and Southwest swells

Wave Access

Easy to Locate: Yes Exit last Rosarito exit (Pemex Station) turn left. About 3-4 miles
Location: Just North of Calafia, at the giant white high rise (formerly pink) at Km. 35.

*Our thanks to Baja Surf Break for this information

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#7 - Calafia

Calafia is a wave that most surfers check but never surf. Calafia is a right point break that reels on a big south. Calafia needs an extremely big swell to make this point break. Rumor has it that Calafia gets near perfect. I have drove down to Baja many times and I have never seen this place pumping, but I always see 5 to 15 people in the lineup, maybe they know something.

Skill Level: Beginner to pro
Best Season: Summer and Fall
Crowds: It gets crowded, especially when it gets good
Locals: This is not a local spot
Hazards: Sharp rocks

Wave Description

Wave Type: Right point
Wave Direction: Rights
Best Surf: Head high to double overhead
Power: Fast and powerful
Wave consistency: Regular
Bottom Type: Rock

Tides and Swell

Best Tide: High tide
Wind: North and Northwest
Best Break: Calafia breaks best on Southeast swells, worth checking on a big North

Wave Access

Easy to Locate: Yes. Last Rosarito Exit at the Pemex station
Location: Km 35.5, Six miles south of Rosarito Beach on the free road (Old Highway 1). Make your way down the cliff on the dirt path.

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#8 - K-38, South of Calafia

K-38 is a good right hand point break and one of the best-known spots in Northern Baja. If there are waves you will definitely find a crowd at K-38. It is a fun mushy right reef break at high tides. During low to medium tides K-38 get fast and hallow. Also, the giant rocks that are normally covered get exposed so take caution. K-38 is easy to check out and easy to get to, which is another reason why it gets so crowded. Booties are recommended when surfing K-38 due to the rock reef. Booties will help you get safely back in. Make sure that you lock your car up good; a few people have gotten their cars broken into here.

Alternative Name: El Morro and Robert’s K-38
Skill Level: Beginner to pro
Best Season: Summer
Crowds: It gets extremely crowded, especially when it gets good
Locals: There are a few local surfers, but K-38 is so popular that even if there are locals you would never know
Hazards: Sharp rocks and sea urchins

Wave Description

Wave Type: Rocky reef break
Wave Direction: Mostly Rights
Best Surf: Head high to double overhead
Power: Mushy
Wave consistency: Regular
Bottom Type: Rock

Tides and Swell

Best Tide: Medium to high tide, fun on low tide, however you will have to watch out for exposed rocks
Wind Direction: East
Best Break: K-38 breaks best on Southwest swells

Wave Access

Easy to Locate: Yes. Exit at the last Rosarito exit, Pemex station, and take the free road south.
Location: 45 minutes south of the Border. It's located off of the free road (Old Highway 1), at Km 38. Park on the dirt road under the free road. Lock your car, due to high car theft.

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#9 - Las Gaviotas, North of Puerto Nuevo

Las Gaviotas is a good right reef point break with some occasional lefts. Las Gaviotas can get crowded especially on weekends when all the vacationers come down for their weekend getaways. The breaks are in front of a gated community, which makes it hard to get to, unless you rent a condo at Las Gaviotas. It is worth the rent, and it is a fun trip to take with the boys or girls.

Skill Level: Beginner to pro
Best Season: Summer
Crowds: It gets crowded, especially on weekends
Locals: No local vibe
Hazards: Sharp rocks and sea urchins

Wave Description

Wave Type: Rock reef break
Wave Direction: Mostly rights
Best Surf: Head high to double overhead
Power: Fast
Wave consistency: Regular
Bottom Type: Rock

Tides and Swell

Best Tide: Medium to high tide
Wind: North
Best Break: Las Gaviotas breaks best on Southwest swells

Wave Access

Easy to Locate: Yes, however it is located in front of a gated community so you may have to remind the guard that the beach is public. Take Puerto Nuevo exit and double back north on the free road
Location: Km 41. It's in front of Las Gaviotas gated community, off of the free road (old Highway 1).

*Our thanks to Baja Surf Break for this information

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#10 - Raul's, Puerto Nuevo

Rauls is a fun reef break that breaks both right and lefts. Rauls is never crowded. Although, if you get to K-38 and there are 50 guys out, keep on driving south. Rauls is located just after the “Rauls Restaurant”. You can camp at Rauls on top of the bluff that overlooks the break. Rauls is a great place to surf if you want to get away from the Southern California crowds.

Skill Level: Beginner to pro
Best Season: Summer and Fall
Crowds: It gets crowded, especially when it gets good
Locals: This is not a local spot
Hazards: Sharp rocks

Wave Description

Wave Type: Right point
Wave Direction: Rauls breaks best on Southeast swells, worth checking on a big North
Best Surf: Head high to double overhead
Power: Fast and powerful
Wave consistency: Regular
Bottom Type: Sand

Tides and Swell

Best Tide: High tide
Wind: North and Northwest
Best Break: Rauls breaks best on Southeast swells, worth checking on a big North

Wave Access

Easy to Locate: Yes
Location: Km 44 directly in front of you when you get off on the Puerto Nuevo exit.

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#11 - K-55, Cantamar

K-55 also called Campo Lopez or Rocky Point. K-55 is a well-known wave like K-38. K-55 has juicy barrels both right and left. There are a couple of reef breaks at the south end of the beach by the rocks. K-55 holds its shape on big swells and can hold even at double overhead surf. Due to the development there it can be a challenge to gain access to surf K55.

Alternative Name: Rocky Point, Campo Lopez and Urchin Point
Skill Level: Intermediate to pro
Best Season: Winter
Crowds: Not crowded, unless it’s good
Locals: This is not a local spot
Hazards: Rip currents, rocks, sea urchins and sharks

Wave Description

Wave Type: Rock reef break
Wave Direction: Rights
Best Surf: Head high to double overhead
Power: Fast and powerful
Wave consistency: Very consistent
Bottom Type: Sand and rock

Tides and Swell

Best Tide: Medium tide
Wind Direction: Northeast
Best Break: K-55 breaks best on a big Northwest

Wave Access

Easy to Locate: Moderately easy. To surf K55 Exit Cantamar (next exit after Puerto Nuevo)
Location: K-55 is located off of the free road (Old Highway 1). Past Puerto Nuevo, past the sand dunes, about 3 miles North of La Fonda, ask the guard at the gate if he will let you in.

#12 - La Fonda, KM 58

La Fonda is a fun beach break, the waves can get very good at times. La Fonda is typically an uncrowded beach break. At La Fonda you pay $5 and can park on the cliff all day with a great view, or camp for $7, there are two big restaurants here that offer cheap meals. When the swells are small check La Fonda there is usually some surf there. It is probably the best-shaped beach break in the area. Beginners need to be careful on big swells, due to the consistency and the long paddles out to the surf.

Skill Level: Beginner to pro
Best Season: Year round
Crowds: It gets crowded, however it is a beach break so you can usually find an uncrowded peak
Locals: No local vibe
Hazards: Rip currents

Wave Description

Wave Type: Beach break
Wave Direction: Rights and Lefts
Best Surf: Shoulder to head high
Power: Mushy on the outside, fast and hallow on the inside
Wave consistency: Very consistent
Bottom Type: Sand with some rocks

Tides and Swell

Best Tide: Medium to high tide
Wind Direction: East
Best Swell Direction: La Fonda breaks best on South and Southwest swells

Wave Access

Easy to Locate: Yes
Location: Km.58, from the toll road take the Alisitos exit and it's located off of the free road (Old Highway 1). Park at the campground.

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#13 - Salsipuedes and Playa Saldomondo, Ensenada

Salsipuedes was once a secret spot. Now, Salsipuedes is an excellent right point break that only breaks on bigger swells. Salsipuedes breaks better at lower tides. When Salsipuedes is working, this right point gets extremely heavy and juicy, it is not for beginners. Salsipuedes has the best camping and gnarliest access road north of Ensenada. Both waves break on any swell direction, but the point needs to be 6 to 8 feet to work. The road to Salsipuedes is very steep, and its dirt, so any kind of rain and the road back out gets very hard to manage. This is what its name means: "Leave if you can." Parking or camping is $5-$10. Playa Saldomondo is a long time favorite of families for its wide sandy beach, campgrounds and decent facilities. Easier to get in and out of it is more popular than Salsipuedes.

Skill Level: Beginner to pro
Best Season: Summer and Fall
Crowds: It gets crowded, especially when it gets good
Locals: This is not a local spot
Hazards: Sharp rocks

Wave Description

Wave Type: Right point
Wave Direction: Salsipuedes breaks best on Southeast swells, worth checking on a big North
Best Surf: Head high to double overhead
Power: Fast and powerful
Wave consistency: Regular consistency
Bottom Type: Sand

Tides and Swell

Best Tide: Low tide
Wind Direction: North and Northwest
Best Swell Direction: Salsipudes breaks best on both swells

Wave Access

Easy to Locate: You will see the Bay of Salispuedes once you pass the El Mirador lookout. Exit “Salsipuedes” at KM 87 OR exit Playa Saldomondo KM 94
Location: Both locations are a few KM’s before the last toll booth as you enter Ensenada proper.

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#14 - San Miguel, Ensenada

A crowded, racy point break, San Miguel is one of Baja's premier waves. San Miguel is a right-hander that breaks best during a West or Northwest swell. There is a second bay, which can connect on a big enough swell. On bigger days it will wrap around a point and sometimes you can just surf the second point. The paddle-out & in at San Miguel can be tricky with spiny sea urchins at times, so wear booties. The kelp beds on the outside keep it glassy on windy days, but be careful the kelp can wrap around your leash. Beginners beware! The locals will hassle you sometimes so be careful not to leave your boards out in the open, they could get stolen. In San Miguel there is camping and RV parking. They also have a bathroom with showers.

Skill Level: Beginner to pro
Best Season: Summer and Fall
Crowds: It gets crowded, especially when it gets good
Locals: This is not a local spot
Hazards: Sharp rocks

Wave Description

Wave Type: Right point
Wave Direction: San Miguel breaks best on West and Northwest swells
Best Surf: Head high to double overhead
Power: Fast and powerful
Wave consistency: Regular
Bottom Type: Rocky

Tides and Swell

Best Tide: High tide
Wind: North and Northwest
Best Swell: San Miguel breaks best on Northwest swells

Wave Access

Easy to Locate: Yes
Location: The San Miguel turnoff is immediately after the last toll booth before Ensenada, 61 miles from the border. Pitch a tent on the beach for eight bucks a night. For a few more dollars, RVs can plug into one of 30 hookups. Hot showers take the grunge out of camping here. Call 011-52-61-746225 for information.

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#15 - El Martillo - Todos Santos Islands, off the coast of Ensenada

This is the big time of Pacific coast surfing. Closer than Hawaii (and cheaper), this surfing is the most exciting, most challenging you likely to find anywhere. Ensenada is a Mecca for surfers due to the quality of surfing both north and south of the city. You’ll find surf shops, boat rides out to El Martillo and lots of surfers.

Alternative Name: El Martillo – The Hammer
Skill Level: Experienced to pro
Best Season: Summer and Fall
Crowds: Can be crowed
Locals: No Locals
Hazards: Rip currents and huge waves

Wave Description

Wave Type: Beach Break
Wave Direction: Right
Best Surf: Head high to double overhead
Power: Fast, hallow and powerful
Wave consistency: Regular consistency
Bottom Type: Sand

Tides and Swell

Best Tide: Low tide
Wind: Northwest
Best Break: Isla Natividad breaks primarily on South swells.

Wave Access

Easy to Locate: Boats leave from Downtown and La Bufodora south of Ensenada every day or arrange transportation from San Diego with www.todossantostours.com
Location: South of Ensenada near La Bufordora and Punta Banda