Surf's Up

Surf's Up

The tip of Baja is rife with surfing spots—no secret to the hordes of wave riders who swarm here year-round. Right breaks dominate, but left breaks can be found at La Bocana (just outside San José del Cabo) and Playa Monumentos (the Corridor, near the Misiones del Cabo Hotel).

At La Bocana, a freshwater estuary, giant tubes are created when heavy rains open the river mouth. Monumentos has consistently gut-wrenching waves. Little-known Nueve Palmas (Nine Palms), halfway between San José del Cabo and Cabo Pulmo, has a right break perfect for long-boarders.

In summer, Costa Azul is the beach of choice; its world-famous, experts-only Zippers break often tops 12 feet. Next-best is Shipwrecks on the East Cape, about a half hour north of San José by car. In winter, surfers in the know head to the Pacific side to Los Cerritos, near Todos Santos. The large waves and expansive, rockless beach are ideal. Wherever you go, be respectful of local surfers, who know these waters well.